Special section: Distinguished Teachers and Scholars

This year, President Kirwan put his stamp on the annual presidential surprisefor the 19 winners of Ohio State's prestigious faculty awards -- he presented the Melrose apple, a hybrid developed at Ohio State.

Kirwan visited classrooms, offices and, in some cases, regional campuses to announce the recipients of the awards and present them with the classic teacher's prize -- an apple. The Melrose, one of five varieties developed at Ohio State, is a cross between Jonathan and Delicious varieties.

The faculty in question are the 1999 recipients of the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching, the Distinguished Scholar Award and the Faculty Award for Distinguished University Service.They received their awards at an April 27 reception and banquet.

Awards are supported by the offices of Academic Affairs and Research, The Ohio State University Alumni Association and private donations to the university.

The Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching honors faculty members who have done a superior job of teaching. Recipients are nominated by students and colleagues, and are chosen by a committee of alumni, students and faculty. They receive a cash award of $3,000 and a $1,200 increase in their base salaries. Teaching award recipients also are inducted into the Academy of Teaching, which provides leadership on improving teaching at Ohio State.

Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching

Biographies by Emily Caldwell, Pam Frost, Ruth Gerstner, Jeff Grabmeier, Amy Murray, and Holly Wagner

Photography by Kevin Fitzsimons and Jo McCulty

William V. Ackerman
Assistant Professor of Geography
The Ohio State University, Lima

Ackerman is the geography department at the Lima campus. Considered an exceptional teacher, he also has developed research projects that benefit the Lima community, including studies on crime in small cities. An Ohio State faculty member since 1993, Ackerman teaches three geography courses and offers night sections to accommodate working adult students. He also has established a student internship program with regional planners. Students and colleagues praise Ackerman as a gifted teacher whose classes are a joy to take. "While the class was not easy, he made the subject relevant and exciting," wrote one student. Another "especially enjoyed his stories about geography adventures in South America." Capitalizing on students' natural curiosity about local weather, Ackerman has installed an electronic weather station in the hallway outside his office. Many students stop by to observe changes in the local weather and end up in his classes.

Scott L. DeWitt
Associate Professor of English The
Ohio State University, Marion

Praised by students as an innovative and inspiring teacher, DeWitt similarly is recognized by colleagues as one of the finest teachers on campus. A faculty member since 1992, he teaches a range of courses from freshman English composition to advanced writing classes. DeWitt is a leader in bringing technology to the classroom. His students use computers exclusively to compose their papers, use the Internet as a research tool, and use Web sites for interaction and additional learning. He also offers classes to faculty and community members on using the Internet as a teaching tool. His availability to students at all hours symbolizes DeWitt's commitment to teaching. "There were many nights where I would e-mail a paper to Dr. DeWitt at 11 p.m. and would receive feedback on it before midnight," wrote one student.

Cynthia B. Dillard
Associate Professor of Integrated Teaching and Learning
School of Teaching and Learning, College of Education

Dillard has made her mark on the College of Education faculty since coming to Ohio State in 1994. "Dr. Dillard is the reason many minorities have come to OSU, the basis for their staying and a key contributor to their professional success. Her classes are oversubscribed and receive rave reports," a colleague wrote. Regarded as a gifted teacher, she also receives high praise for her work as assistant dean for diversity and outreach, a post she has held since 1995. She is credited with creating programming to support students and engaging faculty and students in forums dealing with diversity issues. Dillard teaches graduate courses in multicultural education, and elementary curriculum and supervision. "She teaches from the heart and with such soul searching and profound reflection," a student wrote. "I felt that she learned things in my classes -- not that she was an authority and we were empty vessels."

Christopher Mark Grimsley
Associate Professor of History
College of Humanities

One student was so moved by Grimsley's flair for story-telling that "there were times I wanted to cry and many I wanted to laugh" during his lectures. "He conveyed the course material with such power and zeal that many times I couldn't wait until the next class." An Ohio State faculty member since 1992, Grimsley wrote the award-winning The Hard Hand of War: Union Military Policy Toward Southern Civilians, 1861-1865 (1995). Also the author of numerous chapters and articles as an expert in American military history and the Civil War, Grimsley teaches both undergraduate history survey courses and graduate seminars in military history. He also leads an annual instructional survey of the Antietam and Gettysburg battlefields. Lauded by colleagues for excelling at teaching both large lecture classes and small upper-division courses, Grimsley received the 1997 Ben M. Jones III Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching in the College of Humanities.

Michelle R. Herman
Associate Professor of English
College of Humanities

Herman joined Ohio State's English faculty in 1988 after earning an M.F.A. and serving as an instructor in the renowned Iowa Writer's Workshop at the University of Iowa. An author of numerous essays and stories, her publications include A New and Glorious Life (1998), a collection of novellas, and the award-winning novel Missing (1990). Herman directs the Creative Writing Program and was instrumental in its planning. Students commend Herman for the time she is willing to take in one-on-one appointments: "Her outside-of-class commitment is unparalleled," one student wrote, while another noted, "Her dedication to her students is superhuman." Students also note her knowledge of the literary publishing world translates into especially effective teaching of critiquing practices and an appreciation for the art of writing. Herman also receives praise from colleagues for her success at teaching at every level of the curriculum.

Todd L. Lowary
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

An Ohio State faculty member since 1996, Lowary maintains personal connections with his students while enhancing his teaching with technology. He developed the Organic Chemistry Resource Page, the first World Wide Web page for an organic chemistry course at the University. Its impact extends beyond Ohio State; students from other universities write to thank the department for the service. Lowary's students say he made a much-feared course an enjoyable experience. "Organic [chemistry] is ... dreaded by almost all students," wrote one former pupil. "Because of Dr. Lowary I was not only able to bear it, I LIKED it!" Students also praise him for tutoring them patiently -- even if they need only general academic advice. Lowary has built an extensive research group of graduate and undergraduate students. His former students have published research in leading journals, and have obtained positions in medical schools, top graduate schools and the pharmaceutical industry.

Terrell A.Morgan
Associate Professor of Spanish Linguistics
College of Humanities

Immersing students in the Spanish language and culture is the technique Morgan uses with his students. Students say his innovative teaching techniques motivate them to learn real-life applications of the language. "He recently showed a clip of Disney's The Little Mermaid in Spanish to illustrate pronoun usage," a student noted. A faculty member since 1984, Morgan is the author of numerous papers in print or press and two books in progress, and has delivered more than three dozen presentations and lectures. Morgan teaches upper-level Spanish classes and leads seminars abroad to introduce students to Hispanic culture. His main areas of interest are Spanish pronunciation and phonology, and Spanish and Hispanic culture. Students repeatedly call him the best teacher they've ever had and say his enthusiasm inspires them to study with rigor. Colleagues say he is completely natural as a successful and effective teacher.

Diane M.Sainato
Associate Professor of Special Education
School of Physical Activity and Educational Services
College of Education

In both her teaching and research, Sainato has shown dedication to improving the quality of life for young children with severe disabilities. She is responsible for teaching part of the core of the undergraduate special education pre-licensure program. She also initiated the master's program for teachers of young children with disabilities and began the teacher certification program in this area when she arrived at Ohio State in 1989. Her presence has made an impact on the college: "With someone of Dr. Sainato's caliber, The Ohio State University is able to recruit seasoned professionals like myself to continue higher education," a former student wrote. A co-editor of a book on behavior analysis in education, Sainato also jointly teaches a World Wide Web course on teaching special education students in the inclusive classroom. Her technique receives praise from students: "She promotes critical thinking and professional growth as part of herinstruction."

Robert J. Scherrer
Professor of Physics and Astronomy
College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

"Cosmic Bob" is the affectionate nickname Scherrer has earned among physics students, who speak highly of his teaching abilities. Known for his clear communication in a wide range of settings, from public lectures to advanced graduate courses, Scherrer also is known for his "easy, affable style and dry, sometimes mischievous, wit." Also a highly respected researcher in the field of cosmology, Scherrer has earned enthusiastic reviews from students in all levels of the physics curriculum and is lauded by colleagues for the breadth and depth of his teaching. He produced a series of lectures for physics majors addressing concerns such as career opportunities and graduate school application. He also has a reputation within the department as the person to turn to when a course needs revitalization. Scherrer joined the Ohio State faculty in 1989 and received the Physics Teacher of the Year Award the following year.

John C. Thrasher
Assistant Professor of Art
The Ohio State University, Mansfield

Students' compliments of Thrasher center on three themes: their view of him as a friend and a faculty member, his encouragement of their individual style development, and his willingness to be helpful. One student summed it all up by writing, "John Thrasher rules!!!" Thrasher won the Mansfield Campus Outstanding Teacher Award in 1995, his first year as a faculty member. In addition to praising his teaching, many students acknowledge his obvious devotion to art. As coordinator and instructor of all visual arts curricula on the campus, Thrasher teaches drawing, painting, visual studies, and concepts and issues in art. An Ohio State M.F.A. graduate, he also taught life drawing and ceramic hand-building classes as a graduate teaching associate, instructor and lecturer on the Columbus campus from 1992 to 1995. His works have been exhibited throughout Ohio and Kentucky, and in Denver, Pittsburgh and Manama, Bahrain.

Distinguished Scholar Award

The Distinguished Scholar Award recognizes exceptional scholarly accomplishments by senior professors who have compiled a substantial body of research, as well as the work of younger faculty members who have demonstrated great scholarly potential. Recipients are nominated by their departments and chosen by a committee of senior faculty, including several past recipients of the award. Distinguished Scholars receive a $3,000 honorarium and a $20,000 research grant to be used during the next three years.

Frank D. De Lucia
Professor of Physics
College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

De Lucia is a leading figure in the field of molecular spectroscopy. He has pioneered the development of the submillimeter region of the electromagnetic spectrum and its application to scientific problems in physics, chemistry and astrophysics. Peers describe De Lucia's impact in glowing terms. "Frank De Lucia is clearly one of the most eminent molecular physicists in the United States," wrote a Princeton chemist, adding, "Frank's papers are a pleasure to read since his clarity of thought and his lack of pretense come through." His interests include the spectroscopic study of small, fundamental molecules, molecular collisions at the low temperatures characteristic of the interstellar medium, and quantum electronics. During De Lucia's two terms as chair of Ohio State's Department of Physics, from 1990 to 1998, the department grew significantly in national stature and received the University's Selective Investment Award. De Lucia also is known as an excellent teacher and mentor.

Margarita L. Mazo
Professor of Music
College of the Arts

Twice a recipient of the School of Music's Distinguished Scholar Award, Mazo is an internationally renowned specialist on both the folk and art music of Russia. Considered the world's authority on the lament in the Russian folk wedding ritual, she also has introduced a new method of research -- real-time sound-spectrum analysis -- into the field of ethnomusicology. Her colleagues across the nation describe her as "wise" and "a genius" and "a tireless protagonist for the betterment of understanding between Russian and American scholars." Under Mazo's influence, Ohio State has become an important center for the study of Russian and Slavic music. She is vitally concerned with music and its role in society and acts upon that concern as a scholar, performer and teacher. Educated at the Leningrad State Conservatory in the former Soviet Union and a former faculty member there, Mazo joined the Ohio State faculty in 1984.

Lowell R. "Skip" Nault
Professor of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster

"At the hands of Skip Nault, science is art," wrote a former student. "He sees the big picture and is innovative in making the picture come to life in a variety of ways: through successful students, cutting-edge papers, and lucid management." An Ohio State faculty member since 1966, Nault is considered a world leader in research on insect transmission of plant viruses. Corn growers laud his work in developing plants resistant to several economically devastating diseases. The author of more than 100 research articles and a dozen book chapters, Nault has attracted top researchers to the university and teaches short courses at international sites. Colleagues praise his success at combining research, teaching and administrative responsibilities; he currently is interim director of OARDC. Nault has been elected a fellow of four professional societies,including the Entomological Society of America and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Umit S. Ozkan
Professor of Chemical Engineering
College of Engineering

Since joining Ohio State in 1985, Ozkan has become an international leader in heterogeneous catalysis -- the modification of chemical reactions between gases, liquids, or both at the surface of a material that acts as a catalyst. She has garnered government and commercial funding to build a state-of-the-art laboratory that supports one of the strongest heterogeneous catalysis programs in the nation. Students appreciate the high-caliber work they are able to perform in the laboratory. Her work affects many societal and economic issues, in particular energy, the environment and the economics of chemical processes. "Creative scholarship should be judged by its quality rather than by how much it weighs," wrote one of Ozkan's colleagues. "In this regard Umit has performed some really seminal research." Among her numerous awards, she has received the National Science Foundation Woman Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching and Research.

Yasuko Rikihisa
Professor of Veterinary Biosciences
College of Veterinary Medicine

Rikihisa's work takes her deep into the world of infectious diseases. She focuses on Ehrlichiae, bacteria that can cause serious illness and even death in animals and humans. An Ohio State faculty member since 1986, her "laboratory has been at the forefront of ehrlichial research worldwide," according to a colleague. Her early research led to the discovery and isolation of the bacteria that causes Potomac horse fever -- a debilitating illness that causes high fever, diarrhea and sometimes death in horses. Rikihisa is praised as a pioneer in research on emerging ehrlichial diseases. She won the 1997 Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence and the 1992 Smith Kline Beecham Award for Research Excellence. The author of more than 160 research papers on infectious diseases, Rikihisa's goals include developing a vaccine to prevent and treat diseases caused by newly discovered infectious agents.

Martin F. Sarter
Professor of Psychology, Psychiatry and Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy
Colleges of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Medicine and Public Health

Colleagues say Sarter's work in biological psychology, biological psychiatry and neuroscience has made a significant contribution to his field and enhanced Ohio State's standing as a major research institution. His work has helped establish at Ohio State "one of the most multidisciplinary and effective behavioural neuroscience laboratories anywhere in the world," one faculty member said. "Dr. Sarter has great national and international visibility ... as an outstanding and original researcher." Sarter's research has helped illuminate the complex brain mechanisms that are involved in cognitive functions and the development of disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. His work played a major role in the establishment of a new research field -- geriatric neuropharmacology. As a result of his research, several prototype compounds have reached the level of clinical testing in patients suffering from age-associated cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer's. He has been an Ohio State faculty member since 1988.

FACULTY Award for Distinguished University Service

The Faculty Award for Distinguished University Service honors faculty who have made extensive contributions to the development and implementation of university policies and programs through nonadministrative roles. They are nominated by members of the university community and selected by a committee of faculty, administrators and previous recipients. They receive a $3,000 cash award and an increase of $1,200 to their base salaries.

Dale F. Bertsch
Professor of City and Regional Planning and Public Policy and Management
Colleges of Engineering and Social and Behavioral Sciences

A "true and dedicated citizen of the University," one of its "most loyal, productive and effective faculty," Bertsch is sought out by members of the University community as well as private companies and government agencies for his ability to bring groups together and reach consensus. Since joining the faculty in 1979, Bertsch has served on and chaired dozens of groups whose jobs range from university governance and planning to national policy advice. Handling delicate and difficult tasks with fairness and energy, he serves on roughly 20 committees, including ad hoc panels on budget restructuring and responsibility-centered management, the Student Evaluation of Teaching Committee and the Campus Collaborative. He also has brought honor to Ohio State by serving in many advisory positions at the city, state and national level. In addition to his service, Bertsch is the author of dozens of publications, and he has been awarded many professional honors.

Susan M. Hartmann
Professor of History and Women's Studies
College of Humanities

Called by one colleague a "model citizen of the University," Hartmann has a diverse record at Ohio State: In addition to maintaining an illustrious academic career, including authoring award-winning scholarly books, she directed women's studies during the program's formative years, serves on the University Promotion and Tenure Committee and recently was reappointed as faculty athletics representative. Hartmann is credited with ensuring that the restructured General Education Curriculum reflected gender as a category in its social diversity requirement. She was an influential member of the University Press' editorial board and is a dedicated faculty adviser to the Mortar Board senior honorary society. A faculty member since 1986, Hartmann is a noted scholar in U.S. and women's history. Despite resounding praise for her service, Hartmann remains modest. "Though Professor Hartmann herself would be unlikely to characterize her contributions as anything other than routine, I simply cannot agree," a colleague wrote.

Alan J. Randall
Professor and Chair of Agricultural, Environmental,and Development Economics
College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

Randall has held what one colleague regarded as the five most prestigious faculty appointments in the University: membership on the Research Commission, the University's Promotion and Tenure Committee, and the most recent presidential search committee, as well as chairing the Council on Academic Affairs (CAA) and Faculty Council. Among the issues facilitated with his guidance are the Student Evaluation of Instruction and the transportation and parking plan. Noting the controversy that accompanied some issues, a colleague wrote, "I would trust him to make the most delicate decisions knowing that he would advance the best interests of the institution over his own." Another wrote, "Intelligent, persistent, candid and witty, Alan ... strengthened our system of shared governance." Since joining Ohio State in 1985, Randall has held numerous committee posts while maintaining a renowned research program and sustaining a reputation as an outstanding teacher.