The UH-led Lone Star Wind Alliance is one of two recipients of grants from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) for large turbine-testing facilities. The alliance will receive $2 million from DOE to design, construct and operate a research facility. Including the DOE investment, the facility’s project costs will total approximately $20 million.

The colleges of Architecture and Optometry are first in the nation for graduating Hispanic students, according to rankings by The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine’s Top 100 Colleges and Universities for Hispanics. The College of Optometry also ranked No. 1 in awarding first professional degrees to Hispanic students. The C.T. Bauer College of Business and the College of Pharmacy ranked fifth in their disciplines in the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanics last year.

Continuing Education received the Association for Continuing Higher Education Region VII 2007 Distinguished Non-Credit Program Award. The award is for its Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. Accelerated Learning English-as-a-Second-Language program.

The White House appointed Paul Ching-Wu Chu, T.L.L. Temple Foundation Chair of Science and physics professor, to the National Medal of Science President’s Committee. Chu will be among 12 scientists who will evaluate nominees for the National Medal of Science. He will serve on the committee through 2009.

Alumni

Former Texas Supreme Court Justice Ruby Kless Sondock (’61) received the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism Sandra Day O’Connor Award for Professional Excellence.

Faculty

The Geological Society of America presented its highest award, the 2007 Geological Society of America Penrose Medal, to Kevin Burke, professor of geosciences, for his pioneering research in plate tectonics.

Graduate College of Social Work Dean Ira C. Colby was named the U.S. representative to the International Association of Schools of Social Work board of directors.

Robert Heath, professor emeritus of communication, received an Issues Management Council W. Howard Chase Award, which recognizes contributions to the evolution of issues management. The Public Relations Society of America also presented him with an Excalibur Legacy Award, honoring outstanding contributions to the profession from someone who has been active in the field for 25 years or more.

Thomas Hsu, John and Rebecca Moores Professor of Civil Engineering in the Cullen College of Engineering, was presented with the Arthur J. Boase Award from the American Concrete Institute for his achievement in the field of reinforced concrete research.

Marcus Karl Maroney’s song “Shiloh” was a finalist for the 2007 Sacred Voice competition in the Sacred Song Cycle category. The international competition is for new faith-based vocal compositions. Maroney is assistant professor of composition.

Steven Mintz, John and Rebecca Moores Professor of History and director of the American Cultures Program at UH, is president-elect of the Society for the History of Children and Youth, an international organization of scholars.

Staff

UH honored several outstanding staff members. Craig Brodd, Department of Residential Life and Housing maintenance supervisor, received the C.F. McElhinney Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor UH bestows on a staff member.

The 2007 Staff Excellence Award recipients include Nicole Beene, optometric technician in the College of Optometry; Darcie Champagne, Office of University Marketing director; and Beverly Evans, Department of Campus Recreation custodian supervisor. Other recipients are Keith Kowalka, University Center and Associated Facilities director; Robert O. Marlin IV, senior library specialist in the M.D. Anderson Library Special Collections; and Mary Volcy, financial assistant 2 in the Office of the Bursar. The George Magner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising Award went to Cynthia Bowden, academic adviser in the School of Art.

KUHT-TV, HoustonPBS, received numerous awards, including several National Communicator awards, which honor creative excellence in the communication field.

“Living with the Lion: Childhood Cancer” won a National Communicator Award of Excellence and a Silver Telly. The Telly Awards recognize outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs as well as video and film productions. A National Communicator Honorable Mention Award went to “the connection.”

“Living Smart with Patricia Gras” earned a Silver Telly, a National Communicator Honorable Mention Award, two National Videographer Excellence awards and a National Videographer Award of Distinction. The show received the 2007 Texas Medical Association Anson Jones M.D. Citation of Merit Award. This competition honors Texas news media
for excellence in communicating health information to the public. The show also was presented with a 40th Worldfest Independent Film Festival Silver Remi Award.

“InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse” and the show “Art is All Around Us: Downtown” received National Communicator Distinction awards and Bronze Tellys.

Beverly McPhail, Women’s Resource Center director, received the 2007 Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council Community Award.

Alan A. Phillips, purchasing director, received the National Association of Educational Procurement Neil D. Markee Communicator of the Year Award. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the profession through teaching or writing published articles or representing the purchasing profession to the public.

The National Council of University Research Administrators honored Laura Wade, associate director of the Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH, with its Distinguished Service Award for her dedication to the profession.

DIVISION OF UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT, UNIVERSITY RELATIONS
SPRING 2007 NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND LOCAL AWARDS

Students

Music students Devin Collins and Bradley Sayles are winners of the 2006 Louisa Sarofim composition competition. Collins won the undergraduate division for his “String Quartet No. 2.” Sayles won the graduate division for his “The Lily.”

 

UHD received a $500,000 grant from the Department of Defense — funded by the Army Research Office and Air Force Office of Scientific Research — to equip the new Integrative Molecular Life Sciences Laboratory Suite. Akif Uzman, associate professor of biochemistry, is the principal investigator.

Faculty

Sangeeta Gad, mathematics lecturer, received the Distinguished Literacy Leader recognition from the Literacy Advance of Houston and the Literacy Community Council for her work in promoting the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics among pre-college students.

Robert Wilson, director of the UHD Civic Jazz Orchestra and Young Sounds of Houston Youth Jazz Orchestra, entered into an agreement with Musique de Nuit of Bordeaux, France, to exchange music, ideas and talent.

Staff

Vicky Estrera, UHD Scholars Academy director, was awarded a National Institutes of Health/National Institute of General Medical Sciences $192,890 annual five-year grant. The grant will support the Minority Access to Research Careers Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research Scholar Program.

Minh Lam, management systems coordinator for employment services and operations, was accepted into the Leadership Development Program in Higher Education. The organization enhances the professional development of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and prepares college/university administrators, faculty and staff to move into leadership positions and to take on positions of greater visibility and influence on their campuses.

UHD 26th Annual Staff Council Staff Merit Award recipients were Lupe Nunez, administrative secretary 2 with the English Language Institute, and Cpl. Fred Varela of the UHD Police Department. Elaine Pearson, division of business administrator 2 in the Office of Academic Affairs and Provost, received the Most Distinguished Staff Award.

Students

Araly Barrera was selected as a 2006-2007 Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc. scholar. She will receive a $5,000 scholarship.

The Houston CPA Society presented scholarships to business students Valarie Baez, Nandini Kandolha, Rachel Langille, Jay Richardson and Kevin Wright.

BMC Software Inc. awarded scholarships to business students Maria G. Garcia, Nicholaus Gaytan, Kevin Kerner, Robert King, Dania Lainez, Janna Delyce McKeehan, Nathaniel Nouri, Marcus Paley, Veronica Rodriguez, Vantrice Ware and Kevin Wright.

Marketing students took second place in the Bausch & Lomb LASIK Learning Program for their marketing campaign to promote LASIK surgery to a young demographic

 

The National Strength and Conditioning Association recognized UH-Clear Lake’s Fitness and Human Performance program as part of its Education Recognition Program.

Larry Rohde, associate professor of biology and biotechnology, received a $124,227 two-year sub-recipient award from the San Jacinto College District National Science Foundation for his proposal, “The Bay Area Houston Partnership for Innovation in Biotechnology and Life Sciences.” He also was named UH-Clear Lake’s 2006-07 nominee for the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation Professor of the Year Award.

Alumni

Harris Brooks (’00) was named chief executive officer at Palo Pinto General Hospital in Mineral Wells, Texas.

Richard Gay (’97) received a Legion of Merit Award upon his retirement from 28 years of service in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve.

Sarah Harrison (’86), executive healthcare consultant for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals L.P., was honored by Girls Inc. as a leader and role model for young women.

Todd Lorenz, (’96) was named chief executive officer of Medical Park Hospital in Hope, Ark.

Brazosport College nominated Sasha Tarrant (’94,’96) for the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation Professor of the Year Award for the second time. She also received the Sons of the American Revolution Teacher of Excellence Award and its Martha Washington Award.

Faculty

Sadegh Davari, School of Science and Computer Engineering interim dean, and Andrew Yang, associate professor of computer science and computer information systems, received a $78,675 two-year award from the National Science Foundation for “Collaborative Research: Module-based Courseware and Laboratory Development for Teaching Secure Wireless Sensor Networks.”

Damtew Demeke, assistant professor of chemistry, received a $150,000 three-year award from The Welch Foundation for his project “Total Synthesis of Oculatolide, Cyclolinteinone, Deoxycyclolinteinone and Lintenone.”

Teresa Van Hoy’s course, “The Sacred Feminine in Latin America,” has been recognized as a 2007 Blackboard Inc. Greenhouse Exemplary Course. Hoy, assistant professor of history, worked closely with UHCL Web developer Azalea Boehm to create the online course.

Staff

David Benz, School of Education director of student relations, was elected chair of the Advising Education Majors Commission of the National Academic Advising Association.

UH-Clear Lake staff was honored at the National Conference of American College Personnel Association (ACPA) — College Student Educators International. Associate Vice President for Student Services Darlene Biggers received the Outstanding Service Toward the Development of Women Award, which recognizes commitment to the professional and personal development of women. The ACPA Educational Leadership Foundation also named her its 2007 Diamond Honoree for her outstanding and sustained contributions to higher education and to student affairs. Linda Bullock, assistant dean of intercultural and international student services, was elected to a second three-year term on the directorate of the ACPA’s Standing Committee for Women. David Rachita, assistant dean of student life, is chair-elect of the ACPA’s Commission for Student Involvement.

Vera Garcia, administrative assistant in Office of the President, received the university’s 2007 Hugh P. Avery Prize – President’s Distinguished Staff Service Award. The 2007 Staff Merit awards were presented to Cathy Bye, functional analyst III in the Office of Budget; Flossie DeSouza, library assistant in the Neumann Library; and Celio Chapa Sr., grounds specialist in Facilities Management and Construction.

Shayne Washington, School of Business academic adviser, co-presented “Advising Students Who Have Experienced Ecological Crisis,” at the South Central Region 7 National Academic Advising Association conference. The presentation won the association’s Best in Region Award.

Students

UH-Clear Lake students received C.M. Caldwell Memorial Awards for Excellence in History from the Walter Prescott Webb Historical Society and the Texas State Historical Association. In the senior division, Linda Burpee won first place for a paper on the 1935 Longshoreman’s strike, while Lauralie Pope won second place for her paper about the late Texas Gov. Ann Richards. Luis Reyes received the division’s award for third place for his research on the early Apollo program. Debra Hoffman received the second prize in the graduate division for a research paper on the history of the Houston Charismatic Catholic Center.

A group of communication students was one of seven finalist teams in the 2007 NASA Means Business national student competition. The team included Lindsay Humphrey, team leader; Brian K. Patterson, community outreach specialist; Judy Reustle, Web designer; and Danielle Singleton, videographer/video editor. The team’s faculty supervisors were Ashley Packard, associate professor of communication and communication program convener, and Taleen Washington, communication lecturer and faculty adviser for student publications.

UH-Clear Lake’s student-produced publications, Bayousphere and UHCLIDIAN, garnered honors at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association competition. During the on-site competition, Emily Hawkins took second place in print news writing and third place in copy editing categories, while Bret Newcomb was awarded honorable mention in headline writing.

UHCLIDIAN honors included first place (picture story) for Feride Muezzinoglu and Roger Robert, first place (sports column) for J.T. Garrett, second place (single subject presentation) for Emily Murray and BreAnna Schwartz, and second place (headline) for the UHCLIDIAN staff. Third-place awards went to Roger Roberts (illustration and general column), BreAnna Schwartz (opinion/editorial page design, photo illustration and feature page design), Leeanne Lambert (sports feature story), the UHCLIDIAN staff (special section/edition and overall excellence), Miracle Rodriguez (news photo) and Tiffany Rolland (photo illustration).

Bayousphere awards included first place (poem) for Dennis Forrest, second place (short story) for Stephen Blanchard, third place (photo essay) for Joe Huffman and Alisa Nicholson, honorable mention (feature photo) for Crystal Spies, honorable mention (cover design) for Dana Harms and Jessica Sonntag, and honorable mention (overall excellence) for the Bayousphere staff. The Columbia Scholastic Press Association also recognized UHCLIDIAN and Bayousphere. Christopher Travis was awarded second place for his UHCLIDIAN sports column. Bayousphere honors included a third-place award to Dana Harms and Jessica Sonntag for spread design. Alisa Nicholson also earned third place and honorable mention in illustration.

Alumni

Laura Longoria (’96), Hopkins Academy principal, was named District III President of the Year for the Texas Elementary Principal and Supervisors Association.

Randy Vivian (’93), former chief executive officer with Mid-Coast Family Services, was named the Victoria Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive officer.

Faculty

Chien-Ping Chen, assistant professor of economics, conducted the study “Profitable Technical Trading Rules for the Austrian Stock Market.” The research was accepted for publication in the “International Business and Economics Research Journal.”

Peggy A. Cloninger, associate professor of management, and Ziad Swaidan, assistant professor of management, wrote the research paper “Standardization, Customization and Revenue from Foreign Markets,” which was accepted for publication in the “Journal of Global Marketing.”

Meledath Damodaran, professor of arts and sciences, and student Chandramohan Muniraman wrote the study, “SDLC of Application Security,” which was accepted for publication in the proceedings of the 47th Annual International Association of Computer Information Systems Conference.

Barba Patton, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, was appointed to a statewide committee to review mathematics textbooks for the primary grades and make recommendations for adoption to the State Board of Education.

Steve Trowbridge, associate professor of reading, was named editor of Texas Reading Report, a publication of the Texas State Reading Association.

Staff

A.G. Armstrong, groundskeeper for the UH System at Sugar Land; Summer Leibensberger, Academic Center coordinator; and Yvonne Garcia, admissions analyst, were selected as employee of the month for March, April and May, respectively.

Students

M.B.A. students Brad Baynes, Joel Hare, Brian Sharp and Chad Torrence came in first place in the spring 2007 M.B.A. Conference case competition. Second-place winners were Yi Luo, Oke Ugburo-Shanomi, Farah Ullah and Christopher Wasson. Devendra Agrawal, Michael Landry and James McCoy received third-place awards.

For the spring semester, William Scott Harkey was named outstanding graduate student and Karin Nilles outstanding undergraduate student in the School of Arts and Sciences. In the School of Business Administration, Ted R. Gilmore was honored as outstanding graduate student, and Sarah E. Zeller was selected as outstanding undergraduate student. In the School of Education and Human Development, Jackie Kriedler was recognized as outstanding graduate student and Emily Nicole Garcia outstanding undergraduate student.