Outstanding Unit - Student Technology Assistance Center
 The objective of the Student Technology Assistance Center (STAC) is providing computing assistance to students by offering the latest in multimedia software and hardware. The STAC helps students transform traditional materials, whether video, audio, photographs, or printed documents, into a digital format for presentations and new media. The STAC employs a team of talented students who provide guidance and instruction in the use of the center's assortment of technically tools. Under the direction of Coordinator Will Davis, the STAC helps students learn technology in a way that increases both their skills and their confidence.
"I have sent my students over to STAC for all assistance on the development of their presentations and I can say that the presentations have been exceptionally done," said Norma Shepelak, associate professor of sociology. "The students have learned how to incorporate short film clips within their presentation as well as clip art, photographs and text. I have noticed how more prepared their presentations have become given that the students spend advanced time in developing their ideas. Their classmates are better able to understand the topics under discussion given the effectiveness of the presentational style." Read More...
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Excellence in Service - Micki Stamps (classified)
 Whether dealing with elected officials, community leaders, students or concerned citizens, Micki Stamps demonstrates not only her professionalism, but also her enthusiastic promotion of Wright State. As administrative support coordinator in the Office of Public Affairs, she frequently interacts with high-level state and local dignitaries.
"She is warm, open and enthusiastic about the university and she is proactive in meeting the needs of public officials," said Shari Lewis, academic affairs development director for the Vice President for Curriculum and Instruction. "One of her finest achievements is helping develop the local 'Community Nights,' which bring large numbers of local communities' Chamber and council members and local residents onto campus for a reception and basketball game. As attendance grows each year, Micki becomes more determined to bring in an even larger group the following year-and she succeeds!"
"I do not want to forget her willingness to lend a helping hand to a coworker, to extol the virtues of the university to a far way legislator or to mentor the numerous students who have had the great fortune of learning under her supervision," said Robert Hickey, associate vice president of public affairs. "Micki provides a daily dose of goodwill on campus and in our community." Read More...
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Excellence in Leadership - Denise Thomas (unclassified)
 Each year, nearly 300,000 copies of Wright State University publications reach alumni, students, parents, donors, legislators, faculty, staff and friends. These publications reach the marketplace and their intended target audience because of the diligence, focus, expertise and talent of Denise Thomas, director of marketing services in the Office of Communications and Marketing.
"I credit Denise with raising the bar on Wright State University's publications," said Bill Shepard, executive director of the Student Union. "I am astonished at the volume of material her office has been able to keep up with. Denise provides strong leadership for her team, bringing editorial, design and production professionals together to produce high quality publications that tell the right story and send the right message about the university."
The Honors Institute, which included a Presidential Lecture by Oliver Sacks, was a new and successful event for which Thomas guided the production of marketing materials behind the scenes prior to the event. Read More...
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Outstanding Collaborative Units - The Ambassador Program to Costa Rica
 Department of English Language and Literatures
Department of Modern Languages
University Center for International Education
University Honors Program
The Ambassador Program to Costa Rica is the longest continuous study abroad program offered at Wright State. Since 1995, well over 100 students have participated in the program. This year's program has reached new heights for unit collaboration and student participation.
"This year's Ambassador Program to Costa Rica will hold the distinction as the largest ambassador program in WSU's history, with 30 students enrolled," said Manley Perkel, emeritus professor of mathematics. "These 30 students signed up and paid half the program fees nearly nine months before the departure date! This is a testament to the teamwork of the collaborating units and the success of the program." Read More...
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Joshi Research Center, daytaOhio open new frontier
The College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) unveiled its new Krishan and Vicky Joshi Research Center, home to daytaOhio, in a dedication ceremony Oct. 27. The ceremony, attended by Ohio Governor Bob Taft, President Kim Goldenberg, and representatives from governmental, academic and corporate partners, marked the grand opening of daytaOhio and the new $10 million Joshi Research Center adjoining the WSU Fritz and Dolores Russ Engineering Center.
The grand opening was followed by "From Research to Reality" a half-day, deal-making workshop organized by daytaOhio and CECS. This exclusive, one-of-a-kind conference brought together top researchers and business, industry, and military leaders to foster the development and commercialization of new technologies.
"The nexus of a new frontier in innovation, the Joshi Research Center will become the focal point for statewide research in advanced data management," said President Goldenberg. "This world-class center will put Ohio at the forefront of advanced data management and analysis, and allow us to take the lead in a field that touches every aspect of our lives, from manufacturing and supply chain management to medicine, military and defense applications."
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Excellence in Human Relations - Rayann Brown (classified)
 Every organization has at least one employee who is spread very thin yet is the glue of the organization. Rayann Brown is the glue for the Office of Disability Services (ODS).
"Rayann is our mainstay, our cornerstone, the glue that holds the team together," said Jean Denney, assistant director of the Office of Disability Services. "Students frequently stop in Disability Services because they enjoy Rayann's friendliness and encouragement. She is a very warm and caring individual, attentive to the needs of students with disabilities coming into our office as well as to families visiting campus."
Brown's human relation skills, organizational abilities, reliability and commitment to serving students with disabilities helps her manage the busy, sometimes hectic scene that is the ODS office. From answering phones to scheduling appointments to answering questions to assisting students, Brown is an accomplished multitasker. Read More...
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Excellence in Service - Jerry Hensley (unclassified)
 Jerry Hensley, senior information technology analyst in Computing and Telecommunications Services (CaTS), oversees more than 800 computers in the CaTS labs. He might be in the labs early in the morning or late in the evening performing maintenance. Often he leaves his job at the end of the day and spends several hours in the residence halls reconfiguring students' computers. His responsibilities also include the Adaptive Computer Lab, where he provides more than routine maintenance.
"Due to Jerry's disability, he fully understands the impact on a student when their support services only meet the letter of the law," said Jeffrey Vernooy, director of the Office of Disability Services. "He is committed to providing all the students on this campus a quality experience in our computer labs. This attitude is one of the reasons we remain on the cutting edge in accommodating the technology needs for students with disabilities." Read More...
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Excellence in Human Relations - Leona Gray (unclassified)
 Leona Gray has added an important but unofficial role to her duties as director of admissions and alumni affairs in the School of Professional Psychology (SOPP). She not only provides orientation for new students, but also serves as their "home base" throughout their time in SOPP. As advisor, mentor and all around support person, she spends much time supporting and counseling the students.
"Students come to Leona for support and counseling and consistently remark upon her availability and her mentoring skills," said John Rudisill, SOPP dean. "If there were an award for most popular staff member among students, she would win that award easily."
"Leona is usually the first contact any potential students have with our program," said Cheryl Meyer, professor of psychology. "Leona calls each student personally to tell them they have been accepted into our program. Students immediately feel a bond with her and she is their link to WSU and the SOPP." Read More...
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Excellence in Leadership - Cheryl Little (classified)
 Since becoming departmental support supervisor for the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 1995, Cheryl Little revolutionized the department's fiscal accounting procedures, served as a mentor and role model for administrative staff and students and promoted departmental efforts to be more inclusive. She has also filled the roles of recruitment coordinator, accountant, supervisor, department coordinator and administrative assistant.
"In a relatively short time, faculty started to experience the advantages of the more streamlined and accurate departmental accounting system she established," said Steven Berberich, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and director of the Center for Genomics Research. "Thanks to Cheryl, faculty no longer had to guess their grant account balances. I am convinced that the department was extremely fortunate to have Cheryl arrive at a time when the university began to shift account tracking to the department and individual investigator. I know the department's stellar accounting record is a direct outcome of Cheryl's studious work." Read More...
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Fitness Center opens
 The new Student Union Fitness Center opened on the ground floor of the Student Union with 9,500 square feet, 52 pieces of cardiovascular equipment, top-of-the-line selectorized machines and free weight equipment, eleven 32" LCD televisions, over 7,000 pounds of weight plates and rave reviews from the campus.
Also new are the recreation desk, general locker rooms and offices for Campus Recreation. An expanded Rec Fit schedule now includes almost 50 weekly sessions. Visit www.wright.edu/crec/programs/recfit/schedule.html for the schedule of Rec Fit sessions.
All facilities and Rec Fit sessions are free to students, faculty, staff and retirees. A valid Wright 1 Card is required. Facility hours are 6 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday; 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Read More...
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Prominent speakers to visit campus in 2007
To help celebrate Wright State's 40th anniversary in 2007, campus organizations in collaboration with the Office of the President have planned several special speakers for the early months of the year. Here are just some of the speakers confirmed for the 40th anniversary celebration. Additional events and details will be announced later.
 Musician, actor and social activist Harry Belafonte will speak on campus Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, at 1 p.m. in the Student Union Apollo Room. The event will help celebrate the anniversary of the Bolinga Black Cultural Resources Center and the university's Martin Luther King celebration, and is part of the Presidential Lecture Series.
Dubbed the "King of Calypso" for popularizing the Caribbean musical style, Belafonte is one of the most successful American musicians in history. Throughout his career, he has been an advocate for human rights and humanitarian causes. In 2002, Africare awarded Belafonte the Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award for his efforts to assist Africa. Earlier this year, Belafonte received the BET Humanitarian Award. Read More...
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WSU Joshi Research Center and daytaOhio open new frontier in innovation
 The Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science unveiled its new Krishan and Vicky Joshi Research Center, home to daytaOhio, in a dedication ceremony today on the WSU campus. The ceremony, attended by Ohio Governor Bob Taft, WSU President Kim Goldenberg, and representatives from governmental, academic and corporate partners, marked the grand opening of daytaOhio and the new $10 million Joshi Research Center adjoining the WSU Fritz and Dolores Russ Engineering Center.
The grand opening was followed by “From Research to Reality” a half-day, deal-making workshop organized by daytaOhio and Wright State’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. This exclusive, one-of-a-kind conference brought together top researchers and business, industry, and military leaders to foster the development and commercialization of new technologies.
“The nexus of a new frontier in innovation, the Joshi Research Center will become the focal point for statewide research in advanced data management,” said WSU President Kim Goldenberg. “This world-class center will put Ohio at the forefront of advanced data management and analysis, and allow us to take the lead in a field that touches every aspect of our lives, from manufacturing and supply chain management to medicine, military and defense applications.” Read More...
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 | President and Mrs. Goldenberg welcomed best-selling author and poet Maya Angelou, center, to campus for the first Presidential Lecture Series of the 2006-2007 academic year. One of the great voices of contemporary black literature, Angelou gave a special Welcome Week presentation for students following the first day of classes.
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Brage Golding Distinguished Professor of Research - Roger Siervogel
 How can childhood factors such as physical activity and early onset obesity predict health outcomes such as osteoporosis, heart disease and hypertension? How do genetic factors influence the pattern of chronic disease risk from childhood to adulthood? With its numerous funded projects, the Lifespan Health Research Center in the Boonshoft School of Medicine (BSOM) has won international acclaim for its investigations into the impact of early life events and genetic factors on adult health and disease.
The center's director, Roger Siervogel, Fels Professor of community health and pediatrics, is the Brage Golding Distinguished Professor of Research. His personal scholarship and his leadership of the center have contributed substantially to the BSOM's status as one of the top federally funded community-based medical schools in the country.
"His research productivity places him in the top 3 percent of investigators funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during the past 20 years," said Howard Part, dean of the Boonshoft School of Medicine. "This is clearly a remarkable accomplishment. Additionally, the center he established is the primary reason our Department of Community Health ranks 17th among medical schools in the United States in research funded by the NIH." Read More...
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Frederick A. White Distinguished Professor of Professional Service - Donna Miles Curry
 On a Saturday afternoon, one might find Donna Miles Curry, associate professor of nursing, at her kitchen table with two or three Boy Scouts who are working on their merit badges. Helping the Scouts is just one of the many examples of local, regional, national and international service that earned her recognition as the Frederick A. White Distinguished Professor of Service.
"Her leadership, energy, involvement, quick smile and sense of humor always place her in high demand for many professional activities," said Margaret Clark Graham, professor of nursing and director of the Family Nurse Practitioner program. "In summary, Dr. Donna Miles Curry has provided exceptional service at the university, college, state, regional, national and international levels."
Curry was an invited participant at two International Conferences on the Future of Global Nursing. She has been involved in international projects in England, Chile, Italy, Sweden, Papua New Guinea, and Africa.
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Robert J. Kegerreis Distinguished Professor of Teaching - Charles Larkowski
 Teaching courses in music history, music theory and applied harpsichord, adding general education and Honors classes for non-music majors and advising students pursuing music and music history degrees are enough reasons for Charles Larkowski, professor of music, to receive the Robert J. Kegerreis Distinguished Professor of Teaching Award. However, Larkowski inspires his students in ways that are not typical of most musical academicians.
Beyond the classroom, Larkowski is an accomplished musical performer and practitioner. Larkowski has presented full solo faculty recitals as a harpsichordist, appeared in faculty concerts as a harpsichordist, organist, vocalist and viola da gamba performer, and has been both a cast member and orchestra pit conductor for various campus opera productions. He demonstrates to his students how one can blend academic and intellectual cognition with musical performance.
"Too often teachers of academic musical studies such as musicology, Dr. Larkowski's specialty, treat musical performance as having only secondary importance," said Herbert Dregalla, chair of the Department of Music. "For Dr. Larkowski to take the time and make the effort to perform himself demonstrates to his students the interconnections between the academic study of music and its performance. In this respect he serves as a tremendous role model for the students in the Department of Music."
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Early Career Achievement - Kelli Zaytoun
 In less than two years since becoming director of the Women's Studies (WMS) program, assistant professor of English Kelli Zaytoun is credited with accomplishing major progress for the program. The number of students pursuing a major, minor, or certificate has increased from seven to 40. Zaytoun has collaborated with faculty and administrators across campus, encouraged the cross listing of classes, sponsored visits by nationally known writers and scholars, and created new student learning opportunities. She has taught and team-taught classes and sponsored independent study courses for students.
"She has dramatically and rapidly given the University Women's Studies program new growth and excitement," said Charles Taylor, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. "The Women's Studies program is a core part of the university's mission and Dr. Zaytoun's contributions to it are of major importance." Read More...
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Early Career Achievement - Ravi Penmetsa
 Full-scale testing of a complex hypersonic aircraft is often infeasible due to extreme operating environments and the cost of manufacturing a prototype. Engineering systems are increasingly complex and multidisciplinary, making traditional design methods based on testing difficult and expensive.
The research of Ravi Penmetsa, assistant professor of mechanical and materials engineering, addresses strategies that develop confidence in simulation models. With support from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Penmetsa is exploring the feasibility of risk-based design processes for aircraft structures. He is the first researcher to evaluate the reliability and develop reliability based design plots for aircraft structural components designed using the traditional factor of safety approach.
"Dr. Penmetsa's research efforts are in the important and emerging area of design under uncertainty," said Richard Bethke, chair of the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. "He is developing approaches and techniques that address the issues of optimally designing when available information is indefinite or incompletely known." Read More...
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Early Career Achievement - Todd Dewett
 Employee creativity may depend upon one's willingness to take risks more than any other factor at work. Todd Dewett, associate professor of management, studies this link along with innovation, change, and employee performance. His research, teaching and service earned Dewett a Presidential Award for Excellence in Early Career Achievement.
"Dr. Dewett has been an outstanding, even extraordinary performer in all three areas since his initial appointment as an assistant professor in 2003," said Joseph Petrick, professor of management. "His research work is strikingly original, timely and published in high quality journals such as Creativity Research Journal, Scientometrics and Journal of Management."
Reviewers have called Dewett's research "sound, well conceived, well written and scholarly with a clear research stream on which to build a reputation in the field." He regularly teaches MBA courses in organizational behavior, organizational development, and creativity and innovation. Dewett integrates current thinking on creativity and innovation throughout these courses. Read More...
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Outstanding Instructor - Leatha Ross
Leatha Ross, clinical instructor in the College of Nursing and Health, guides students from across Ohio, across the United States, and around the world as part of her teaching role with family nurse practitioner students. She is considered an expert in providing distance education.
"Leatha mentors these students online and works with them when they return quarterly to Wright State," said Alice Teall, clinical assistant professor in the College of Nursing and Health. "She mentors each of her graduate students by having them see patients with her at the Adolescent Wellness Center, a downtown teen clinic. Leatha also mentors advanced practice nursing students at the WSU Student Health Center and in a private family practice where she works as a family nurse practitioner. The nurse practitioner students benefit greatly from Leatha's guidance regarding the complexities involved in managing and treating patients with acute and chronic health problems. Her students agree that her professionalism and clinical expertise are exemplary, and they learn by her example." Read More...
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Outstanding Lecturer - Leo Finkelstein
 Leo Finkelstein's contributions as lecturer and director of technical communication in the College of Engineering and Computer Science include single-handedly developing the college's program in technical communication and writing a popular textbook on technical writing, Pocket Book of Technical Writing for Engineers and Scientists, soon to be released in its third edition.
Like the first two editions, The Pocket Book of Technical Writing for Engineers and Scientists provides a concise and light-hearted presentation of the topics Finkelstein covers in his course, Technical Communications for Engineers and Computer Scientists. Students learn to write technical definitions and descriptions, proposals, progress reports and feasibility reports. They are introduced to team writing, electronic publishing, using technology to give effective presentations and ethical issues in technical communication. Finkelstein recently wrote The Pocket Book of Grammar for Engineers and Scientists, which will further aid in the development of student writing skills.
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Supply chain partnerships continuing with daytaOhio, Teradata
Wright State is the home of a recently upgraded Teradata® Warehouse installed to support statewide research and development projects in complex data management by daytaOhio. Wright State is daytaOhio's lead institution along with 23 other industry, government and academic partners including Kent State University, The Ohio State University, the University of Cincinnati and the University of Dayton.
daytaOhio has collaborated with NCR to implement Teradata's Supply Chain Intelligence (SCI) on this new platform to support the Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management offered by the Department of Information Systems and Operations Management (ISOM) in the Raj Soin College of Business. This one-year program provides supply chain professionals with a unique educational experience that includes residency periods, online education and visits to supply chain sites.
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Campus Scholarship and Innovation Campaign breaks record
Wright State's annual Campus Scholarship and Innovation Campaign celebrated a banner year this spring with a record-breaking total of $308,717 in gifts from WSU faculty, staff and retirees.
"This is a record year," said Nan-c Moss, who as director of annual giving led the campaign. "It marks the first time we have ever been over $300,000. The campus community really went all out to support our students."
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"Time's Body of Evidence" explores health and aging
The University Art Galleries is presenting a major program exploring many aspects of health and aging and including an art exhibition, lectures by nationally known speakers, panel discussions, a concert and readings by local writers through Oct. 15. "Time's Body of Evidence: An Interdisciplinary Look at Health and Aging" is the first time such a diverse look at this topic has been presented locally. All programs are free and open to the public.
The Department of Art and Art History developed the program in collaboration with the Boonshoft School of Medicine.
Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,Tuesday through Friday, and noon to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. The exhibition features nine artists from throughout the United States working in painting, photography, video, sculpture and sculptural installation. Read More...
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Faculty and staff Presidential Award winners recognized
The following faculty award winners were recognized during the University Convocation September 6:
Robert J. Kegerreis Distinguished Professor of Teaching
Charles Larkowski, professor of music
Brage Golding Distinguished Professor of Research
Roger Siervogel, professor of community health
Frederick A. White Distinguished Professor of Professional Service
Donna Curry, associate professor of nursing and health
Early Career Achievement
Todd Dewett, assistant professor of management
Ravi Penmetsa, assistant professor of mechanical and materials engineering
Kelli Zaytoun, assistant professor of English Read More...
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