NSU Faculty of the Year for 1997/98 named

TAHLEQUAH - Every year, Northeastern State University chooses three of its faculty members to receive Faculty of the Year awards. One award in three categories - teaching, research and service - is given. Nominations are submitted from NSU faculty members to the Faculty Council, and winners are selected by a committee of past recipients. "This is an award from faculty to faculty for outstanding performance," said Dr. Paul Westbrook, department chair of speech, communication and theatre

Those chosen for the 1997-98 year are: teaching, Dr. Amy Blackburn, professor of psychology and counseling; research, Dr. Vir V. Phoha, assistant professor of computer science; and service, Dr. Bill Wallace, associate professor of speech.

Faculty of the Year Dr. Amy Blackburn
Blackburn received her doctorate at Auburn University, and has been at NSU since 1978. According to Westbrook, she was cited for adapting her teaching style from a lecture/discussion method to one that expects students to be more responsible for their learning and development, as well as her expertise in distance learning.

Dr. Vir V. Phoha
Phoha has been at NSU since 1996 and received his Ph.D. from Texas Tech. He was cited for his research that has been published in various national and international journals on computer security and software standardization, and the fact that he developed a computer network research lab at the university.

Dr. Bill Wallace
Wallace has been at NSU since 1989 and received his Ph.D. at Bowling Green. He was cited for his service to the university by serving on many community committees, including FORGE, the Economic Development Group for Rural Ozarks, and the many NSU committees he has served on, including the Faculty Council and the Regents Transfer Curriculum Committee.


Last updated: May 12, 1998