Science educator James Marshall wins President's Award
Education faculty member Dr. James E. Marshall, who specializes in  preparing science teachers, has been presented the President's Award of Excellence for 2006 at California State University, Fresno. Marshall, who joined the faculty in 1990, is professor and chair in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. He serves as coordinator of science education programs and as the director of the Central Valley Science Project. More...

 

Grants, at $22 million mid-year, increase significantly

Despite state and federal budget cuts and increasing competition for funds, Fresno State faculty and staff have received $22 million in new grant awards through the midpoint of this fiscal year, Dec. 31, a big increase over last year. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs said 10 grant awards received in December totaled $1,306,880. Grants were awarded to the Colleges of Health and Human Services, Science and Math, Agricultural Sciences and Technology, the Craig School of Business, the Kremen School of Education and Human Development and to Student Affairs.

 

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs’ Web site now spotlights a recent award each week. The first in focus is a $199,796 two-year grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to start the Violence Against Women Prevention Program under the direction of Bernadette Muscat (criminology) and Francine Oputa (Women’s Resource Center). The award is designed to bring agencies together to improve the campus and community response to violent crimes against women.  More...

 

Provost’s Award deadline March 1

Provost Jeri Echeverria has issued a call for nominations for the 2005-06 Provost’s Awards, which honor full-time faculty members who set new standards of excellence at California State University, Fresno. More...

 

American Humanics Program wins national award for excellence

The American Humanics Nonprofit Administration Program at California State University, Fresno was recognized for excellence for the fourth time in four years at the annual Humanics Management Institute held in San Diego, Jan. 4-7.  More...

 

Valley stories and future of libraries are on Osher schedule

The university’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, aimed at adults 50 and older who want to continue learning and exploring for the sheer joy of doing so, present programs on libraries and on story-telling this month.  At 4 p.m. Feb. 15, Dr. Michael Gorman, dean of the Madden Library and current president of the American Library Association, will discuss “Do Libraries Have a Future?” Gorman’s presentation will be in the Alice Peters Auditorium. Award-winning author David Mas Masumoto’s topic is “Valley Stories: Things Worth Savoring” during his Osher presentation at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 21. More...

 

Kapoor honored for social justice, racial harmony efforts
Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, a professor of social work education, was honored for furthering the ideals of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during ceremonies last month commemorating King’s birthday. The Fresno Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the city of Fresno’s Martin Luther King Unity Committee honored Kapoor for his commitment to racial harmony and social justice throughout the community. Kapoor also was commended by U.S. Reps. Jim Costa and George Radanovich and by state Sen. Dean Florez.

 

Petenbrink new director of employee assistance and development

Dr. Nancy A Petenbrink is Fresno State’s new director of employee assistance and development in the Department of Human Resources, charged with helping maintain and enhance the health, well-being and performance of employees. Petenbrink, a Certified Employee Assistance Professional, comes from Florida International University where she is credited with initiating and building their employee assistance program. Previously she was the president of her own company providing employee assistance services to a variety of corporations and agencies, including the city of West Hollywood, the State Bar Association in Los Angeles and Chevron in Bakersfield. More...

 

Garan selected as one of nation’s most influential educators
Dr. Elaine Garan, an associate professor in the Department of Literacy and Early Education, was chosen as “one of the 10 most influential educators in the country” for her taking “a major role in revealing some of the concerns with the No Child Left Behind Act and the issues in reading.” The honor was bestowed as part of the Upton Sinclair Awards announced by Dr. Michael F. Shaughnessy of Eastern New Mexico University and Delia Stafford, president of the Houston-based Haberman Education Foundation, in a column on the Web site EducationNews.com. More...

Fresno State-based anti-obesity program garners $2.8 million grant
The Fresno State-based Central California Public Health Partnership has received $2.8 million from the California Endowment to create the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program. The program is designed to promote social and physical environments in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced and Tulare counties, where obesity contributes to a high incidence of diabetes and other health concerns.

University Lecture Series sets talks about education, environment
The University Lecture Series has scheduled presentations on two of the nation’s hottest topics – education and the environment – for February.
Education, parenting and human behavior author Alfie Kohn will speak about “Overhauling the Transmission Model” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Satellite Student Union. It’s Kohl’s contention that society must rethink the use of lectures, worksheets, textbooks and memorization of correct answers in teaching and practicing skills.

At 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28, the lecture series will host Dr. Patrick Moore, speaking about “Environmentalism for the 21st Century.” Moore has been a leader in the international environmental field for more than 30 years and is one of the founding members of Greenpeace. Moore believes ineffective communication between the business community and environmental interest groups. Advance tickets are available at the University Student Union Information Desk (278.2078). Tickets are $10 general admission; $6 faculty, staff, Alumni Association members and seniors; $5 elementary and secondary students; and $2 Fresno State students. Prices on the day of the event increase by $2 for general admission, faculty, staff and Alumni Association members. For more information, contact the University Lecture Series office at 278.2341.