Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia College of Education recognized several outstanding faculty members and an Honors student during its annual Spring Celebration held April 24 at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference center and Hotel.
Joel Taxel, professor and department head of language and literacy education, received the college’s highest honor when he was named the Aderhold Distinguished Professor for exemplary contributions in teaching, research and service.
Taxel administers the Georgia Book Award Programs and the Conference on Children’s Literature. The statewide program, designed to increase children’s opportunities to read for pleasure, involves more than 100,000 children annually in reading of high quality literature from lists of books selected by teachers and media specialists. The program culminates in an annual conference that has been held each spring at UGA for nearly 40 years.
The Aderhold Distinguished Professor holds the title for one academic year and receives $4,000 in discretionary funds for one year, a one-time cash award, or a combination of the two. Only professors with five years or more on the UGA faculty are eligible.
Other faculty awardees included:
Sally Zepeda, a professor and graduate coordinator in the department of lifelong education, administration, and policy, received the Ira E. Aaron Award for Teaching Excellence and Collegiality. Only full-time tenured faculty members are eligible for this award. The awardee receives a $3,000 instructional grant.
Janette Hill, an associate professor in the department of educational psychology and instructional technology, received the Carl Glickman Faculty Fellow Award. This award recognizes distinguished accomplishments and potential for future contributions of faculty who are working toward fulfilling the mission of the university through teaching, research and service. Awardees receive a $1,000 cash award and a $2,000 grant for professional development.
William Wraga, a professor in the department of lifelong education, administration and policy, received the Russell H. Yeany Jr. Research Award, which recognizes a tenure-track faculty member’s outstanding cumulative research. It includes a $1,000 cash award and a $2,000 grant for professional development.
Bernadette Musetti, co-director of the Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education, and Max Skidmore, an academic professional in the department of lifelong education, administration and policy, received the Donald O. Schneider Award for Mentoring. This award recognizes schools and community-based professionals and non-tenure, career-track faculty engaged in mentoring of graduate or undergraduate students. It includes a $2,000 allowance for professional travel or development.
Nancy Knapp, an associate professor in the department of educational psychology and instructional technology, received the Faculty Senate D. Keith Osborn Award for Teaching Excellence. Awardees receive a $2,000 instructional grant.
Robert Hill, an associate professor in the department of lifelong education, administration and policy, received the Outstanding Teaching Award for the University’s Honors Day on April 25.
Heide Wiegel, of the department of mathematics and science education, received the college’s Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Advisor Award. Awardees receive $500.
Peter Smagorinsky, a professor in the department of language and literacy education, was one of two UGA faculty members to receive the Outstanding Mentoring Award from UGA’s Graduate School at Honors Day.
Rachel Stokely, of the department of mathematics and science education, received the Outstanding Honors Student in the College of Education Award. The award includes a membership to a professional organization or a journal subscription.
