by Sandra Archuleta
Staff Writer
Recognition for years of service to the University of La Verne ranging from five to 51 was made to staff and faculty at the Annual Faculty and Staff Service Awards ceremony Wednesday.
The awards, which recognized service for five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service, were held in La Fetra Auditorium and the event was organized by the University’s Personnel Council, with Mary Gibson as chair of the sub-committee.
Master of ceremonies Mike Laponis, associate professor of communications, made the event entertaining with his various jokes on different staff and faculty.
A single 30-year recognition was presented by President Stephen Morgan to Dr. John Jang, professor of history and government.
The event opened with the Excellence in Teaching Awards, presented by Dr. William Cook, vice president of academics affairs. Awarded were four teachers in the categories of graduate teacher, undergraduate teacher, part-time on-campus and part-time off-campus teacher.
Teacher of the Year for undergraduates was Dr. Dan Merritt, professor of zoology. He teaches zoology and environmental sciences, and is a member of the Peace Studies Committee. Dr. Merritt often teaches in areas that are not the center of his studies.
Graduate Teacher of the Year was awarded to Dr. Barbara Nicoll, associate professor of education.
On-Campus Part-Time Teacher of the Year Awards were given to the team of Anita Hanawalt and Marjorie Hirsch, who teach music courses.
Off-Campus Part-Time Teacher of the Year award went to Andrea Mays-Griffith, from the School of Continuing Education.
Special recognitions were given by Dr. Morgan. Recognized was Associate Professor of Speech Bob Rivera for 50 years in the teaching profession. He has been teaching since 1947 and came to the University in 1978. According to Dr. Morgan, Rivera single-handedly organized the many time awarded ULV debate team.
Virgil Wilkinson was recognized for his 51 years of service, and his upcoming retirement. He was business manager, has been at the school since 1946, and worked for five different university presidents. Dr. Don Clague was also included in Dr. Morgan’s list of special recognition. Dr. Clague is retiring this year.
Classified Employee of the Year, presented by Dr. Morgan, went to Peggy Morrison, secretary of the Humanities Department. The special award went to Morrison and the nomination was signed by all members of the Modern Languages and English Departments. Morrison was described by her co-workers as “an invaluable asset to the University.” And that she has “never hesitated to offer a helping hand.”
Morrison, who has worked at ULV for four years, said, “I enjoy being with young people.”
Others recognized for five years of service were Donna G. Bentley, Dr. Jean Bjerke, Eric Borer, Diana Costa, Phyllis Cremer, Tom Erickson, Manuel Escalante, Rebecca Franklin, Suzanne Frantz, Dr. Glenn Gamst, Diana Grady, C. Ernest Granillo, Kathy Hine, Melissa Jaunal, Julie Kline, Dr. Xiaoyan Liu, John Osborne, John Pagan, Linda Preston, Donna Redman-Nasmyth, Dr. Jonathan Reed, Donna Robledo, William Singleton, Sean Smith, Brian Tresner, Richard Werth, Leslie Young, and Wendy Zwissler.
Ten year recognition went to, Paul Alvarez, Joanne Ashcroft, Susanne Behrens, Dr. Cook, Mary Delgado, Scott Forsyth, Jeanne Hazelton, Donna Kent, Dennis Maxwell, Nilva Nalbantian, Charlotte Neill, Dr. Iraj Parchamazad, Sister Mary Dennis Peters, Ken Poertner, Judy Politte, John Roseman, Dr. Kamol Somvichian and Dr. Ann Wichman.
Recognition for 15 years were Dr. William Bearley, Pamela Bergovoy, Caroline Chizever, Dr. David Flaten, Della Hamilton, John Hultman, Dr. Valerie Jordan, Laponis, Patricia Pflug, Dr. Stephen Sayles, Lou Ann Shier, Dr. Rick Simon, Jan Snow and David Werner.
Recognition for 20 years went to Barbara Castro, Dr. Alfred Clark, Allan Fink, Dr. Reed Gratz, John Huffer, Dr. Ellsworth Johnson, Mary Kiggins, Nancy Miles and Dr. Morgan.
Recognition for 25 years were Marilyn Davies, Dr. Marlin Heckman and Gary Van Zandt.
Promotions to professor were presented to Dr. Kent Badger, Gary Colby, Dr. George Keeler, Dr. David Kung, Dr. Nicoll, Dr. Jesse Overall, Sister Mary Dennis Peters, Gordon Schofield and Dr. Iacovos Tsalicoglou.
Promoted to associate professor were to Robert Barrett, Dr. Athanassios Douvris, Dr. Ibrahim Helou, Dr. J. Specter Monono, Dr. Emile Pilafidis, and Dr. Mary Prieto-Bayard.
Journalism operations manager at the University of La Verne. Production manager and business manager of the Campus Times.