Outstanding faculty and staff members were recognized recently at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for their work during the 2016-2017 academic year.
The Excellence in Teaching, Scholarship and Service Award was given to Jeana Magyar, professor of psychology. A teacher-scholar, Magyar is committed to research-based, high quality undergraduate teaching as well as working with students on research projects. She also serves in volunteer roles both on campus and in the community and as a licensed psychologist.
The winner of the Classified Staff Carolyn Rolfson Sargis Award, given to an outstanding and long-serving University Staff member, was Ellen Jo Holguin. As an environmental coordinator for the Department of Biology and Trainer Natural Resources Building chemical hygiene officer for the past 26 years, she keeps hundreds of students and faculty and staff members safe from hazardous materials and manages biology's inventory and stockroom.
Those selected for the Excellence in Teaching Award include:
- Sarah Jane Alger, assistant professor of biology, offers students a fun yet challenging classroom atmosphere and helps students with research.
- Robert Michitsch, associate professor, soil and waste resources, promotes education and student success through various hands-on experiences, internships and teaching methods.
- Jodi Olmsted, associate professor of health science, uses real life examples and her extensive knowledge of health care to encourage and inspire students.
- Jason Riddle, associate professor of wildlife ecology, teaches with wit and wisdom. He advises The Wildlife Society and has recently won several teaching honors.
- David Roloff, associate professor of English, inspires future English teachers with his own practices, using creative assignments and technology to generate student involvement.
Recognized with the University Scholar Award were:
- George Kraft, professor of water resources and director of the Center for Watershed Science and Education, who has used pioneering work and research to address numerous water issues in the state.
- Erica Weisgram, associate professor of psychology, who has worked extensively on research into gender preferences and stereotypes in toys and media.
The University Service Award recipients were:
- Dorothy DeBoer, professor of sociology and criminology, who leads students in service-learning projects with several community youth organizations and is involved with several community organizations.
- Debbie Palmer, professor of psychology, who has served multiple university and departmental committees and uses service-learning courses to promote student work with community agencies.
- Nancy Stokosa, academic department associate in Physics and Astronomy, who builds community in her department by hosting gatherings for faculty, staff and students and promoting recruitment and retention.
The recipient of the Academic Staff Excellence Award was Catherine Scheder, an administrative program specialist in the School of Education. Working in the school's Office of Graduate Studies and Professional Development, she has helped the master's program grow and a new program in educational sustainability achieve accreditation.The Academic Staff Spirit of Community Service Award was given to Susan Schuller, a
senior outreach specialist at the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education. Her service includes leading several student trips abroad on her own time, serving university committees and volunteering for green programs in the community.
Several staff members were recognized for Outstanding Work Performance:
- Corey Crook, University Information and Ticket Services manager for University Centers, coordinated a new online ticketing website and implemented new policies and procedures.
- Donna Gear, an academic department associate in biology, helps with budgets, revised curriculum, personnel and preparing for a new building.
- Jim Mortier, an electronics technician in physics and astronomy, maintains the planetarium and observatory mechanisms, including on nights and weekends.
Faculty and staff members were also recognized years of service:
- 25 years – Peter Brandl, Facility Services; Barbara Grasamkee, Academic Affairs Office; Ellen Jo Holguin, biology
- 30 years – Sheila Bannister-Gross, Continuing Education; Jerold Kummer, College of Natural Resources
- 35 years – Virginia Crandell, University Relations and Communications; Fred Hopfensperger, Facility Services; Kenneth Szymanski, Residential Living; and Julie Thiele, Academic and Career Advising Center.
Skip to main content
