Distinguished Teachers + Scholars

16 FACULTY RECEIVE HIGHEST AWARDS FOR TEACHING, RESEARCH

     COLUMBUS -- Sixteen faculty members have been chosen as this
year's recipients of The Ohio State University's highest honors,
the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching and the Distinguished
Scholar Award.  The 10 recipients of the teaching award and six
recipients of the scholar award will be honored at a dinner April
23 at the Faculty Club.

     They were notified of their selection for the awards in mid-
March, when President E. Gordon Gee paid surprise visits to their
classrooms or laboratories to make the announcement.

     The Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching honors faculty
members who have done a superior job of teaching.  Recipients are
nominated by students and colleagues, and chosen by a committee
of alumni, students and faculty.  They receive a cash award of
$3,000 and a $1,200 increase in their base salaries.  Teaching
Award recipients also are inducted into the Academy of Teaching,
which provides leadership on improving teaching at Ohio State.

     The Distinguished Scholar Award recognizes exceptional
scholarly accomplishments by senior professors who have compiled
a substantial body of research, as well as the work of younger
faculty members who have demonstrated great scholarly potential.
Recipients are nominated by their departments and chosen by a
committee of senior faculty, including several past recipients of
the award.  Distinguished Scholars receive a $3,000 honorarium
and a $20,000 research grant to be used during the next three
years.

     Funding for the awards is provided by private donations to
the university and by The Ohio State University Alumni
Association.

DISTINGUISHED TEACHERS

John Chidley, Joseph Ferrar, Richard Furnstahl, Stuart Lishan,
Micheal Mangino, Stephen Melville, Franklin Proano, Ronald
Solomon, Kathleen Stone, Norman Uretsky

John Chidley of WORTHINGTON
Assistant Professor of Allied Medicine
School of Allied Medicine

Chidley teaches anatomy at the introductory and advanced
undergraduate level, as well as therapeutic exercise and
kinesiology.  His teaching is so outstanding that this is the
third time he has received this award; he was a recipient in 1976
and 1990 as well.  "This man is the essence of what makes Ohio
State a great university," wrote one student.   Another said,
"Physical therapy is a profession of caring individuals and no
other individual represents this better than Mr. John Chidley."
A faculty member for three decades, Chidley is the admissions
coordinator for the physical therapy division, a task described
as "time-consuming, often thankless, but necessary, (and one)
that Professor Chidley handles extremely well".

Joseph Ferrar of WORTHINGTON
Professor of Mathematics
College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Although he mostly teaches advanced undergraduates and graduate
students, Ferrar also takes on a three-course beginning
mathematics sequence in which his use of small group activities
and discussions is a model for aspiring school teachers.
Students uniformly praise his patience, teaching ability,
fairness, preparation and personality.  Said one: "I can only use
his example to set a high standard for myself, one that I will
endeavor to replicate with my own students."  A mathematics
education doctoral student tells of enrolling in an extra course
just so she could experience his teaching.  She said, "To sum
things up mathematically:  There is a one-to-one correspondence
between the set of qualities contributing to distinguished
teaching and the Ferrar model of instruction."

Richard Furnstahl of WORTHINGTON
Associate Professor of Physics
College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Furnstahl has been known to buy his own, better-quality chalk so
students in the back of the room can clearly see the blackboard.
On the other end of the technology spectrum, his students also
use computerized simulations to learn the laws of physics and he
maintains a web page of useful information for his students.  He
teaches the entire range of students, from freshmen non-
scientists to doctoral students.  An administrator reported that
Furnstahl's colleagues and students particularly revere him for
"radical and wonderful changes he has brought to our
undergraduate major program."  One student noted Furnstahl helped
reduce the number of students who dropped out of the program in
despair. And he did it without reducing "content level or rigor."

Stuart Lishan of MARION
Associate Professor of English
Marion Campus

Lishan turns often intimidating subjects into subjects of
fascination. A student remembered a difficult British literature
class, "Dr. Lishan began to read it to us.  It was his voice --
hearing the sound of the language -- that finally made Old
English not only beautiful, but understandable.  To tell the
truth, I'd love to hear him read it again."  For many, the
fascination endures.  "Professor Lishan took us on a journey,"
another said, "not only into the pages of James Joyce, but also
into the writer's life and Irish homeland. I found that I had
rather enjoyed Joyce, despite my earlier trepidation. Even after
the quarter had ended, I picked up the work and enjoyed it."

Michael E. Mangino of WESTERVILLE
Professor of Food Science and Nutrition
College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Mangino practices every kind of education, from individualized
instruction to mega classes.  In a typical year, he may teach 700
students as diversely divided as five high schoolers working on
science fair projects, 650 freshmen non-scientists in Biology
101, 50 undergraduate food science majors and three doctoral
students.  Mangino tirelessly prepares study guides, and has
posted lecture notes, past exams and exercises on the World Wide
Web.  A nominator noted, "He has an open door policy that makes
his office one of the busiest places on our campus."  A student
said, "On top of it all, he's one nice guy."

Stephen Melville of COLUMBUS (43201)
Associate Professor of History of Art, Art, and English
College of the Arts, College of the Humanities

Even fellow faculty admit they struggle to understand what
Melville teaches -- the philosophy of art history.  However, a
colleague said, "Professor Melville brings to his field an
amazing clarity in thinking and expression, noted frequently by
his students."  A nominator said, "Study is not just (rote)
learning in his class.  It's a process of developing creative
thinking."  A graduate student reported Melville is "very, very
kind and patiently explains difficult material."  A second said,
"Dr. Melville is thoughtful, encouraging and most generous with
his time, knowledge and experience."  Another said, "He is the
trump card that draws students from around the country."

Franklin Proano of WORTHINGTON
Associate Professor of Comparative Studies
Marion Campus

Proano teaches about literature, Spanish and women's studies.
Above all, he teaches students to think.  "Dr. Proano makes me
think about ideas long after the class is over," a student wrote.
"He not only demands that students think, he believes that they
can."  Another said, "Dr. Proano urges us to quarrel with our
opinions -- to change them, to shape them, or, if the case may
be, to strengthen them."  Students so value his teaching, many
come back for more.  "I signed up for as many courses as I could
with this instructor, and I always came away with a new body of
knowledge," wrote one nominator.  Yet another testified,
"Students return to this campus from Columbus in order to take
additional courses from him."

Ronald Solomon of COLUMBUS (43201)
Professor of Mathematics
College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Solomon is one of the world's leading authorities in algebra, but
he's still willing to use student comments to improve his
classes.  A student noted, "Despite his obvious experience (in
classrooms), he is clearly still learning himself."  Solomon uses
history and humor to illustrate his lectures, and grace and wit
to motivate his students.  One group was so motivated they showed
up at his home to ask for assistance and insight.  An
undergraduate mathematics major said, "I found I could approach
him with any question, basic or complex."  An administrator said,
"He expects hard work and excellent performances from his
students, and he gets it."

Kathleen Stone of WORTHINGTON
Professor of Adult Health and Illness
College of Nursing

Stone teaches graduate level classes in human physiology and
pathophysiology as well as theoretical foundations of advanced
nursing, a course which she revised to reflect the changes in
nursing roles at the advanced level in the health care delivery
system. "Her passion for teaching and education is evident
through her ability to motivate and captivate students through
her multimedia lectures," one student wrote.  "She takes a true
and genuine interest in her students."  Another said, "The minute
you meet her you know she loves to teach and knows her stuff."

Norman J. Uretsky of UPPER ARLINGTON
Professor of Pharmacy
College of Pharmacy

Uretsky teaches introductory and upper-level classes in
pharmacology, as well as ocular pharmacology to senior students
in the College of Optometry, and pharmacology for advanced
nursing practice to graduate students in the College of Nursing.
"His dedication to his students has been shown by his actions
both inside and outside of the classroom," wrote one student.
"It is this dedication that has had a lasting impact on the
multitude of pharmacy students that have graduated from Ohio
State."  Another noted, "Professor Uretsky is not only a scholar
but a true teacher and mentor with compassion and genuine concern
for his students."

DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARS
Walter Burnside, Kevin Cox, Joseph Lynch, Alan Randall,
Barbara Reskin, Neil Robertson

Walter Burnside of COLUMBUS (43220)
Professor of Electrical Engineering
College of Engineering

Burnside is a professor of electrical engineering who pioneered
mathematical tools and computer codes to analyze the performance
of antennas on aircraft, spacecraft, and satellites. Currently,
his computer codes aid antenna research and development in over
200 aerospace-related industries and in laboratories around the
world.  According to one of his nominators, "Professor Burnside's
accomplishments have not only benefited NASA, but they have also
benefited the United States aeronautics industry, both civilian
and military. As a result, Professor Burnside, in his own
innovative way, has fostered United States competitiveness in the
world marketplace."

Kevin R. Cox of COLUMBUS (43235)
Professor of Geography
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Geographers say Cox has transformed their field twice.  In the
1960s, he first used sophisticated quantitative models and tools.
His careful analysis revealed people are influenced by more than
their social class or occupations.  They are also enmeshed in
their neighborhoods and social relationships.  In the 1980s, Cox
focused on urbanization, at first studying neighborhood activism
and later on the politics of local economic development. His
influence has helped place Ohio State's Department of Geography
in the top five in the country.  He has written three books and
edited six others, and received four National Science Foundation
grants.

Joseph Lynch of Columbus (43214)
Professor of History
College of Humanities

A noted scholar on medieval religious life, Lynch has published
three books, including The Medieval Church, described by one
colleague as "the most comprehensive and up-to-date history of
the most important institution in medieval Europe."  A fourth
book is nearing completion.  Among the accolades for Lynch from
colleagues across the country were these comments: "acute,
discerning and playful mind"; "Professor Lynch has the
distinction, rare for a historian, of having discovered a new
field: spiritual kinship"; and "his work on godparentage is
highly significant and absolutely original."  His service to the
university and to the scholarly community has been recognized
with numerous honors, including the Alumni Award for
Distinguished Teaching, presented in 1978.

Alan Randall of WESTERVILLE
Professor of Agricultural Economics
College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Randall is an environmental scientist of international
reputation.  He has made important contributions to theory and
practice of benefit cost analysis, and his research was key in
developing methods for evaluating environmental benefits.  He has
helped develop policies to enhance pollution control monitoring
and enforcement and to control introduction of nonindigenous
invasive species in the Great Lakes and elsewhere.  In the words
of one nominator, "Alan Randall is a broad-ranging but rigorous
thinker and scholar, an innovative and productive researcher, an
effective mentor, a major and continuing contributor to his
discipline, and an unselfish servant to his university."

Barbara Reskin of WORTHINGTON
Professor of Sociology
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Reskin is one of the nation's leading researchers studying gender
and work.  She has focused recently on gender inequality in the
labor market, particularly the sources and consequences of gender
segregation in the workplace.  She is author or editor of five
books, 25 publications in refereed journals and 15 book chapters.
One nominator wrote, "By any standard, Reskin is a sociologist
who would merit a Distinguished Scholar Award in any university
in the country.  And I really mean any."

G. Neil Robertson of WORTHINGTON
Professor of Mathematics
College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Robinson is a professor of mathematics who formulated key
concepts in graph structure theory, the study of path connections
on surfaces. His work finds applications in computer science,
where it describes the connections between transistors on
computer chips, and in industry, where it solves telephone
network problems. "This monumental work has no parallels in graph
theory and very few in modern mathematics," wrote one nominator.
"Not only did it settle a number of long-standing open research
problems, but it also endowed the theory of graphs with new
powerful tools, thus allowing new methods of attack on a wide
range of open problems."

                             #

Contact: Ruth Gerstner, University Communications, 614) 292-8424.


[Submitted by: Von Vargas  (vargas.12@osu.edu)
               
Wed, 16 Apr 1997 09:05:59 -0400 (EDT)]
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