Caroletta Curtis Receives Watson Award

CAROLETTA CURTIS RECEIVES 1995 WATSON AWARD

     COLUMBUS -- Caroletta Curtis, a former associate 
professor and administrator in the College of Social Work at 
the Ohio State University, has received the 1995 William H. 
Watson Jr. Memorial Award in recognition of her 
contributions to equal educational opportunities for 
students at the university.  Curtis, who joined the Ohio 
State faculty in 1968, retired this summer after 27 years.

     Established in 1977, the Watson Award is presented 
annually by University College to individuals or groups who 
embody the ideals and personal qualities of William H. 
Watson, a former associate dean of the college and professor 
of agricultural education who died in 1975.

     In the early 1970s, Curtis was instrumental in creating 
the Developmental Education Program, a program that offered 
minority students support in the form of academic and career 
advising, tutoring, and teaching learning skills.  Curtis 
served as chair of the Developmental Education Advisory 
Committee, where she was determined that the "open door" 
admissions policy in effect at Ohio State at that time would 
not become a revolving door for the students in the program.

     "Professor Curtis provided leadership in the 
development of a strategic academic support system with 
measurable outcomes," said Mac Stewart, dean of University 
College.  "It was the result of her work and others that 
this program was listed in a national register of exemplary 
academic support programs in the United States."

     Until her recent retirement, Curtis lectured on racial 
equality to new students at Ohio State in the University 
Survey Classes and served in leadership roles in numerous 
professional, religious and civic organizations.

     "In addition to Dr. Curtis' many talents, the one thing 
that stands head and shoulders above the others is that she 
is a caring person, who carried out her often demanding 
responsibilities with grace and charm," Stewart said.

     This year's ceremony was held Aug. 23 at the Faculty 
Club, with several members of Dr. Watson's family in 
attendance, including his widow, Catherine Watson; his son 
William Watson III and his wife's mother, Mrs. Joreece 
Smith; and Mrs. Watson's niece and her husband, Dr. and Mrs. 
Wiley Woodard.

                            #

Contact:  Mac Stewart, (614) 292-6344.
Written by Tracy Turner, 688-3682.


[Submitted by: Von Reid-Vargas (ereid@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu)
               
Wed, 6 Sep 1995 10:03:17 -0400]
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