University News
COEHS Awards
September 23, 2004
MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University’s College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) recognized several faculty members for their outstanding contributions to the University at its annual opening school reception last month.
J.Q. Adams, professor in the educational and interdisciplinary studies (EIS) department, was named the COEHS 2004 Teacher of the Year. Adams has been an EIS faculty member since 1988. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State College, his master’s degree from Indiana University and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Adams has designed the PBS telecourse “Dealing with Diversity,” which is taught at more than 150 colleges and universities nationwide. He has also written numerous articles for professional publications on the topic of diversity, including “Cultural Diversity: Curriculum, Classroom, & Climate.” EIS colleague and associate professor Gloria Delany-Barmann, who nominated Adams for the award, said he has always been engaged in his work.
“Perhaps what is most impressive about Dr. Adams is his commitment to teaching and to his students,” she said. “He understands the needs in the rural Midwest and has contributed a great deal to training teachers at the undergraduate and graduate level.”
Cathy McMillan, assistant professor of kinesiology, received the 2004 COEHS Award for Outstanding Service. McMillan has been with WesternÂ’s kinesiology (formerly called P.E.) department for 14 years. Prior to working at Western she was a fitness and wellness director at the YMCA of McDonough County where she developed and implemented fitness aspects for a comprehensive wellness program in cooperation with the McDonough County Hospital. McMillan was awarded COEHS Teacher of the Year in 2002, along with Outstanding Teacher Awards in 1993 and 1994. She is the faculty adviser to Phi Sigma Epsilon and the Campus Recreation Fitness Unlimited student organization.
Donna Phillips, P.E. faculty emeritus and former department chair, said in her nomination that McMillanÂ’s professional service in the community and at the state level is exceptional.
“Cathy is a person who can be counted on to assist students and the department in any way that she is asked,” Phillips added. “She is definitely a team player and a true asset to the department.”
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COEHS AWARDS Â… ADD 1
The 2004 COEHS Award for Scholarly/Professional Activities was given to Richard Henriksen, Jr., assistant professor in the counselor education (CNED) department. This is HenriksenÂ’s second year as a Western faculty member. He received his doctorate, masterÂ’s and bachelorÂ’s degrees from Texas A&M University-Commerce and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois. Henriksen has published book chapters and refereed journal articles, in addition to submitting journal articles for publication. In addition, Henriksen has made a number of scholarly presentations at national, regional, state and local levels.
Melanie Rawlins, CNED chair, said Henriksen is to be applauded for his efforts and his strong contributions in scholarly and professional activities.
“He provides visibility for the department, the college and the University at all levels,” she said. “He is an exceptional professional, eminently deserving of this award.”
Leslie O’Ryan, CNED assistant professor, received the 2004 COEHS Award for Innovative Use of Technology. O’Ryan received her doctorate from the University of South Dakota and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. She is also a LCPC in Illinois. Immediately after O’Ryan’s arrival to Western in 2002, she used technology to support her teaching philosophy and instructional objectives. This year, the counselor education department chose O’Ryan as their faculty innovator. O’Ryan developed a CN 547 “Techniques of Counseling” compact disc that Rawlins calls “one of a kind” in the field of counselor education. According to Rawlins, the CD incorporates descriptions of techniques, procedures, demonstrations, refection questions, references and more in the field of counselor education.
“Dr. O’Ryan is a highly regarded teacher in our department and is to be commended for her technology leadership and contributions during the short time she has been at Western,” Rawlins added.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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