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 Dr. Charles Arokiasamy, an expert in rehabilitation
counseling and acclaimed faculty member in the subject, is the recipient
of the 2010 President’s Award of Excellence at California State
University, Fresno.
Arokiasamy joined the Fresno State faculty in 1996 as coordinator of the
Rehabilitation Counseling program in the Kremen School of Education and
Human Development. He now serves as the chair of the Department of
Counseling, Special Education and Rehabilitation. He was honored
Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the Spring Assembly for faculty and staff.
University Advisory Board chair John Boogaert presented the award.
The Rehabilitation Counseling program has grown tremendously since
Arokiasamy joined the faculty and was ranked by U.S. News & World Report
among the top 20 in the nation.
The President’s Award of Excellence was established in fall 2001 by the
University Advisory Board to honor Fresno State President John D. Welty.
The award recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates integrity,
leadership and a commitment to the university and the community as
exemplified by President Welty.
University Advisory Board members, community leaders who consult with
the president, select the winner and donate money for a $10,000 award
that accompanies the honor.
Arokiasamy obtained his undergraduate degrees in journalism and
psychology and his master’s and doctorate in rehabilitation counseling
from the University of Southern Illinois.
He has developed and taught 15 different classes plus a variety of
independent study courses, and has conducted more than 100 training
workshops on various aspects of rehabilitation and counseling throughout
the United States and in Malaysia, Singapore, Portugal and Italy. He
taught at the Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans
and at Southern Illinois University.
Arokiasamy is also the director of Fresno State’s Rehabilitation
Evaluation Clinic run by the program and its Job Retention and
Workability IV projects. He is an expert in post-acute rehabilitation of
people with traumatic brain injuries.
Arokiasamy has authored three books and numerous book chapters and
professional articles.
In 2000, Arokiasamy won the Richter award for teaching excellence, the
top award at the Kremen School of Education. In 2003, he was selected
for the Provost's award for teaching excellence, the top faculty award
of the University.
Previous President’s Award winners are Dr. Brent Auernheimer, professor
of computer science and director of Digital Campus; Dr. Carol Fry Bohlin,
recognized for commitment to the education of mathematics teachers;
health researcher Dr. Kathleen Curtis; classics professor emeritus Dr.
Victor Davis Hanson; Dr. James E. Marshall, who specializes in preparing
science teachers; Dr. Stephen A. Rodemeyer, retired chemistry professor
and director of the Smittcamp Family Honors College; and Dr. Timothy M.
Stearns, Coleman Foundation Chair in Entrepreneurial Studies.
(Copy by University Communications news intern Sadie
Thomas.)
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