J. Worth Pickering, Old Dominion's assistant vice president for assessment, was recently named winner of the inaugural Jean M. Yerian Inspiration Award, by the Center for Efficacy in Higher Education.

The Yerian Award honors excellence in promoting, implementing and realizing strategies that foster improvement in student learning.

In announcing his organization's award, executive director Ray Van Dyke wrote to Pickering, "Your many accomplishments over your esteemed career make you the perfect candidate to receive this award, especially in its premier year."

Pickering, who began work at the University in August, 1984, was the committee's unanimous choice. Wrote Van Dyke: "Your knowledge and expertise about assessment and student learning has not only made a tremendous impact on the faculty and students at ODU, but also on your colleagues across the state and nation."

Yerian, a former director of assessment at Virginia Commonwealth University, is a primary developer of WEAVEOnline software that helps enrich education through improved assessment and planning.