Eight faculty members will be recognized this spring for outstanding teaching, scholarship and service and two members of the academic staff will be honored for community spirit and excellence at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

The 2002 honorees, to be announced at the May commencement, were nominated by colleagues and students, then chosen by university committees. They each receive a monetary prize and attend a dinner in their honor with their families.

Recipients of this year�s Excellence in Teaching Award are: Eric Anderson, professor of wildlife; Michael Nelson, associate professor of philosophy and of natural resources; Keith Rice, professor of geography/geology; Donald Showalter, professor of chemistry; and John Smith, assistant professor of art and design. The University Scholar Award winners are Assistant Professor of Natural Resources Michael Bozek and Associate Professor of Political Science Jianwei Wang. The University Service Award recipient is Marcus Fang, director of foreign student programs and associate professor of psychology. The Academic Staff Excellence Award goes to Gary Shulfer, instructional specialist in the Department of Chemistry, and the Academic Staff Spirit of Community Service Award recipient is Ron Strege, director of Multicultural Affairs.

Anderson, described by a colleague as, "by far the most talented educator with whom I�ve worked in 26 years of teaching," and by a former student as "a perfect example that excellent teachers are born not made," came to UWSP in 1990. He holds degrees in wildlife biology from Michigan State University and Colorado State University.

In addition to teaching wildlife courses he has developed, Anderson has advised about 60 undergraduate students, several graduate students and the Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society � the largest undergraduate chapter in the U.S. He has twice been selected by students in the College of Natural Resources as Teacher of the Year. Next spring he will lead UWSP�s first semester-long study tour to New Zealand.

Nelson, who began his association with higher education as an undergraduate student at UWSP in the 1980s, also holds degrees in philosophy from Michigan State University and Lancaster University, England. He joined the philosophy and natural resources faculty at UWSP in 1998.

"The popularity of environmental ethics classes and the major Dr. Nelson has created is surely related to his strengths as a teacher," says one of his students. "Dr. Nelson inspired me to think critically � I cannot imagine a more positive contribution than motivating students to think," says another. He has been nominated by students for the excellence in teaching award in each of the last three years.

Nelson has co-edited two books, written many articles, and lectured and presented papers in the West and Midwest.

Rice, who has taught at UWSP for 20 years, holds degrees in geography from SUNY at Albany, Bowling Green State University and the University of Kansas. He has been recognized for Distinguished Achievement by the College of Letters and Science, for mentoring and for excellence in teaching and service by his department. Most recently he was UWSP�s nominee for the Regents Teaching Excellence Award.

Rice has developed a reputation for his work in cartography and geographic information systems (GIS). Due to increasing demand for GIS courses, Rice introduced a minor program to the curriculum and through his dedication, UWSP has one of the strongest undergraduate cartography/GIS programs in the country.

"Best teacher I�ve had at UWSP," "Most helpful professor I�ve ever had at Point" and "the most dedicated professor I know," are some of the terms his students have used to describe Rice, who has continuously involved students in research projects and internships.

Smith came to UWSP four years ago from the University of Iowa, where he earned his degrees. A designer/artist and partner in Conjure Arts, Mount Vernon, Iowa, he has worked for several years as a designer in the private sector.

"John settled into the program quickly, has been able to handle extremely varied teaching schedules, and has fostered a healthy, professional and productive community in the classroom," says the department chair.

Smith directs the Design Center, a program that allows students to work on campus projects while gaining professional experience. As adviser to the student chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts, he encourages students to compete, present and participate on a national level. He is consistently highly evaluated by his students and his peers.

Showalter, who has taught chemistry at UWSP for 29 years, was recognized for excellence in teaching in 1994 by UW System and by UWSP in 1980. He holds degrees from Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky, and was a postdoctoral research fellow at Oregon State University.

One of the tools Showalter uses in the classroom, "and often with spectacular results," according to the department chair, is chemical demonstrations. He has spent many years developing demonstrations for his classes and, with two colleagues, he has taken the show on the road throughout the country.

"You get the feeling he loves what he teaches," says one of his former students. "You can actually see that he is as mesmerized and excited by what he does as his students are. That kind of enthusiasm cannot be faked."

"Dr. Showalter has many strengths," says another student, "one of his greatest I believe is his teaching skill." He is able to make a subject like chemistry, which is very hard for most people, much easier than the student anticipates."

Recipient of the University Scholar Award, Bozek, who joined the UWSP faculty in 1994, holds a bachelor�s degree in water resources from UWSP, a master�s in aquatic biology from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and a doctorate in zoology from the University of Wyoming-Laramie.

Research Unit Leader for the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Unit, Bozek has written more than 27 grant proposals and generated over $1 million in extramural funding for his research program since 1994. He has published more than 20 papers in national and regional refereed journals and more than 20 technical publications. In addition, he has organized eight technical workshops for professionals in his field.

Bozek�s involvement with the graduate program in the CNR is significant. He has served on 40 student research committees, his students have finished their programs and most have published in national journals. His former graduate students are all employed as fisheries professionals throughout the country. Bozek and his students have presented more than 100 papers at professional meetings and a number have won "best paper" recognition at the meetings. In addition, he is active with several professional organizations.

The author of two books about international relations, Wang has appeared nationally as an expert on China on media outlets such as PBS News Hour, FOX, National Public Radio and Nightline. The author of numerous articles and papers presented at national and international conferences, he is the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation Research Award. The only one at UWSP and in Wisconsin this year, he is conducting research in Washington, D.C., and in China for a book on U.S.-China policy.

Wang, who came to UWSP seven years ago, holds degrees in international politics and political science from Fudan University, Shanghai, China, and the University of Michigan. He is associated with the Atlantic Council, a prestigious foreign affairs think tank and the Voice of America regularly flies Wang to Washington to participate in roundtable discussions that are broadcast to the Far East. This year he gave a paper at a conference celebrating 30 years of U.S.-Chinese relations and met with President Bush.

"Because of UWSP�s association with professor Wang, the political science department has been identified as a place where important research on China takes place," says the department�s chair.

Fang, who has "actively recruited, nurtured, advised, taught and supported students for more than 34 years," according to the assistant chancellor for Student Affairs, holds degrees from Southwestern University and UW-Madison. He has been the director of Foreign Student Programs since 1974 and, in that role, has helped more than 700 international students who have attended UWSP.

He has been active in the community with initiating the International Festival which became the Portage County Cultural Festival. In 2000 he was recognized for his community leadership with the JC Penney Golden Rule Award.

"While Marc has served the university in an outstanding manner for the past 34 years, he was probably most challenged following September 11," said the assistant chancellor. "He immediately contacted our foreign students with words of support, encouragement and timely advice. In addition, he contacted the families of our students around the world and assured them that their children were in a safe environment with plenty of caring and support."

Ron Strege, director of Multicultural Affairs, is the recipient of the Academic Staff Community Spirit recognition and Gary Schulfer, instructional specialist in the Department of Chemistry, was chosen for Academic Staff Excellence.

Strege, who was nominated by co-workers and supported by students, is described by his nominators as "one of the hardest working directors on campus. He puts in many extra hours and is always available at a moment�s notice to meet with students and staff. One student says, "His attentiveness and willingness to listen has been a key to me deciding to stay on this campus."

Also, Strege doesn�t leave his diversity efforts at the university. A chair of the Communiversity Committee, he has been involved with the Portage County Cultural Festival since 1997, is actively involved in FABLES which presents diversity programs to grade school children and has devoted extensive time to the Hmong Tapestry Program.

"Ron teaches students to appreciate our differences and to embrace everyone�s individuality. His message of �we are all one community� has a lasting impact on the students," says a first grade teacher about Strege�s classroom presentations.

Strege holds degrees from UW-Whitewater and Western Illinois University. He came to UWSP in 1994.

Shulfer came to UWSP in 1983 and worked as a laboratory technician while earning a degree in chemistry. He has served as freshman laboratory coordinator, student help coordinator and lecture demonstration specialist in the Department of Chemistry since 1985. He is described by the chair of his department as "a proponent of students and their needs in everything he does. He works with students until every question is answered and his exuberance and joy for life carry over to the class. His student evaluations are filled with awe for his energy and obvious enjoyment for what he is doing."

"Mr. Shulfer is a tremendous asset to the students of this university. He is always willing to take time to assist any student with a problem or question. . . . His inherent charisma and sincere desire to help students have earned him the affection and respect of man at this institution," said his student nominator.

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