Written by: Tiffany Whitfield
Overcoming unexpected challenges, creatively using technology, and sharing their expertise with colleagues were common traits among the 2020 College of Sciences recipients for the Above and Beyond Faculty Awards.
This year the College of Sciences Advisory Board raised funds to recognize 10 faculty who were critical to the College's efforts to go online quickly when the COVID-19 pandemic forced that change in March at Old Dominion University. "These faculty were incredibly helpful to their colleagues and made it possible for many who have never taught online to do so successfully with little advance warning," said Dean Gail Dodge.
Dean Dodge announced the winners on August 10, 2020, "I am extremely grateful to the following winners of the 2020 Above and Beyond Faculty Awards for their contributions to the success of our educational mission this past spring."
"The College of Sciences Advisory Board is honored to support Dean Dodge in recognizing each of you for your professionalism and dedication in support of the College throughout the ongoing pandemic crisis," said Jim Brunelle and Lynn Clements, College of Sciences Advisory Board. "Your individual and collective contributions have played a critical role in maintaining the high academic standards of the College and ensuring an effective and productive student experience; your model efforts are clearly exemplary and well deserving of recognition for performance Above and Beyond."
The Above and Beyond Award started in 2019 and is funded by the College of Sciences Advisory Board to recognize those faculty who, through their teaching, research, or service, go above and beyond their usual role. These faculty serve the educational mission of ODU in many ways, some of which are not recognized through the usual teaching or research awards. Dean Dodge said, "these faculty are problem solvers, the ones who take initiative to improve the lives of our students, staff, and faculty."
Congratulations to all of the 2020 Above and Beyond Faculty Award winners!
I am extremely grateful to the following winners of the 2020 Above and Beyond Faculty Awards for their contributions to the success of our educational mission this past spring:
Dr. Bala Ramjee
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Dr. Christina Steel
Department of Biological Sciences
Dr. Desmond Cook
Department of Physics
Dr. Gordon Melrose
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Jennifer Younkin
Department of Psychology
Kalpana Mahadevan
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Kayla Culbertson
Department of Biological Sciences
Dr. Przemek Bogacki
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Dr. Shannon Wells
Department of Ocean, Earth, & Atmospheric Sciences
Dr. Steve Zeil
Department of Computer Science