University of Hawai'i University Relations Media & Publications Honolulu, HI 96822	(808) 956-8856 Telephone (808) 956-3441 Facsimile ur@hawaii.edu E-Mail
For Immediate Release:	Sept. 1, 1998
Contact: Cheryl Ernst, (808) 956-5941

University of Hawai'i Honors Outstanding Faculty, Staff   The University of Hawai'i today honors 30 faculty members for outstanding performance. The awards and recepients follow. Regents' Medal for Excellence in Teaching This award recognizes the importance that students, the faculty and the administration place on quality teaching and pays tribute to faculty members for their extraordinary level of subject mastery and scholarship, teaching effectiveness and creativity and personal values beneficial to students. Recipients receive a medal and $1,000 check. Kathryn Braun, associate professor and director of the Center on Aging at the UHM School of Public Health. Students in Braun's classes spend little time sitting back and taking notes. They undertake "real" projects with assistance from UH faculty and community resources. Braun's work with others in the Center on Aging in producing a videotape course on aging has been nationally recognized. William Burgwinkle, associate professor in the Department of European Languages and Literature, UHM College of Languages, Linguistics, and Literature. Burgwinkle varies his teaching methods to encompass different personalities, learning styles and expectations that students bring to the classroom. Among his imperatives: Love what you teach; Keep active in research; Be interdisciplinary; Continue to be a student, at least mentally; Facilitate learning rather than control it; Make sure students feel they have accomplished something. Lynne Enoki, professor of English, Hawai'i Community College. An esteemed member of the faculty in the area of writing for 30 years, Enoki has served as a role model and mentor to her colleagues and students. She is known to be a master teacher-responsive to a student population with multiple needs and ever enthusiastic and about her work. She helps students regard their own writing as a viable means of communication rather than academic exercise. Grace Fong, assistant professor in the Department of Human Resources, UHM College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Fong believes in challenging students to think critically and hold themselves responsible for their own learning. She learns new strategies from others and shares materials and procedures that she has developed with colleagues. Kathryn Hoffmann, associate professor in the Department of European Languages and Literature, UHM College of Languages, Linguistics, and Literature. A specialist in seventeenth-century French literature and theater, Hoffmann teaches language for pure pleasure and literature out of total passion. Her interdisciplinary, cross-cultural approach to literature emphasizes the connections among literature, history, philosophy and even medicine and business. Hoffmann makes the classroom a lively arena for discussion and discovery. Craig Howes, professor in the Department of English and director of the Center for Biographical Research, UHM College of Languages, Linguistics, and Literature. Howes's goal is to encourage and to challenge all of his students. His emphasis on research, writing and revision, regardless of subject matter, is at least partially responsible for the large number of theses and dissertations he has been asked to review and the number of students who request his directed reading courses. He developed new courses on professional editing and biography. Janice Ito, professor of microbiology, mathematics and natural sciences, Leeward Community College. Ito's classes show high retention rates and produce excellent student evaluations. She devotes long hours working with students in developing a creative laboratory environment and creating a student-centered classroom. She is also instrumental in supporting the professional development of other teachers through the Hawai'i Great Teachers Seminar. Margaret Maaka, assistant professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies, UHM College of Education. Influenced by her experiences in New Zealand and Hawai'i education systems, Maaka believes the goal of education must be to provide a wide range of opportunities to meet the diverse needs of each individual in a system without barriers to learning. She connects with students who are underrepresented at Manoa and in the teaching profession, building bridges across cultural, class, and gender differences. Craig Ohta, assistant professor of automotive mechanics technology, Honolulu Community College. Students in the Automotive Mechanics Technology Program describe Ohta as one of the best teachers they have ever encountered because he conveys both sincerity and love for teaching. They gain learning experiences inside and outside of the classroom, matching lessons to real life situations. Sandra Perez, professor of drama, Kapi'olani Community College. Perez, who has taught at KCC for 29 years created the college's drama program and served as its coordinator since its inception. She has directed and produced 18 plays. In 1993, she initiated the student director alliance, which allows teachers and UHM master of fine arts candidates to collectively learn new styles and techniques in producing and directing. Nancy Phillion, assistant professor of nursing, Kaua'i Community College. Students call her role model who lives her philosophy of excellence. She uses "a collaborative model which views the participants, including herself, as mutual resources for learning." Instrumental in the establishing the campus Wellness Center, where students can participate in therapy sessions in areas such as stress management, bereavement, and substance abuse, she has developed curricula for and taught pediatrics, obstetrics, psychiatric nursing and medical-surgical nursing. Craig Severance, professor and chair of anthropology, UH Hilo. Severance's challenges and encourages students to arrive at their own informed positions on complex issues involving humans and their cultures. Colleagues comment on the number of hours he spends counseling, advising and serving as cultural-broker to nearly all UHH students from other Pacific areas. Jean K. Shibuya, professor of English, Windward Community College. Shibuya, a professor of writing and literature, was nominated for her effective communication skills, diversified teaching methods, outstanding knowledge of English and nurturing of students through patience and understanding. A student observes: "Professor Shibuya uses personal experiences from our lives to help make connections from the known to the unfamiliar." Gertrude Eleanor Ueoka, assistant professor of nursing, Maui Community College. Students call Ueoka's strategy of encouraging and supporting them "therapeutic." She is equally knowledgeable about the technical and human sides of nursing. A student writes: "Her incredible patience, knowledge, and undying support were truly amazing."   Regents' Medal for Excellence in Research This award recognizes faculty members whose scholarly contributions expand the boundaries of knowledge and enrich the lives of students and the community. Recipients receive a medal and $1,000 check. Garry Rechnitz, professor in the Department of Chemistry, UHM College of Natural Sciences and founder and director of the Hawai'i Biosensor Laboratory, is this year's recipient of the senior level research award. Rechnitz is an acknowledged pioneer of biosensors, which are electronic measuring devices based on the selectivity and sensitivity of molecular recognition elements in living cells. In 1995, his work was described by the director of the National Science Foundation's chemistry section as "the most continuously creative analytical program in the U.S." Rechnitz serves on numerous editorial boards, provides training for 40 pre- and postdoctoral students, and is an international speaker and a colleague to faculty members worldwide. Paul Wessel, associate professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics, UHM School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, is this year's recipient of the associate level research award. Wessel's career highlights cover three essential fields-the physics, observations, and implications of the deformation of the Earth's lithosphere; production of the graphical and data-analysis software Generic Mapping Tool, used by thousands of researchers throughout the world; and a new method of determining plate tectonic motions called hotspotting, which uses recently declassified satellite altimetry data and basic geometry to infer plate motions accurately and inexpensively. George Roderick, assistant researcher at the Center for Conservation Research and Training, within the Pacific Biomedical Research Center, is this year's recipient of the assistant level research award. Roderick's research is in the area of population biology and genetics. His current focus is on two topics-invasion genetics and species interactions. Roderick is developing and using novel molecular genetic and statistical tools, such as DNA sequences from nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, to determine the source of insects that have become major pests in Hawai'i and elsewhere. He uses the islands as a template for understanding the evolution of interactions that insects have developed with their prey or hosts.   Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching This memorial to the late Frances Davis who taught mathematics at UH Mnoa for 19 years recognizes a faculty member for dedication to teaching and demonstrated excellence as a teacher of undergraduate students. Cynthia Franklin is an assistant professor in the Department of English, College of Languages, Linguistics, and Literature. At the center of Franklin's pedagogy is the belief in the importance of fostering a strong sense of intellectual community, one in which students have many opportunities for an open and rigorous exchange of ideas. Early in the semester, Franklin divides students into groups to work on some aspect of editing, organizing, or publishing an anthology. This project is one she turns completely over to students, and it is the process of working on the anthology and then seeing it materialize that most firmly brings class members together and gives them a sense of themselves as writers.   ADDITIONAL TEACHING AWARDS Presidential Citation for Meritorious Teaching This award recognizes UH Manoa faculty members who have made significant contributions to teaching and student learning. Recipients are: Hong-Mei Chen, assistant professor, Department of Decision Sciences, College of Business Administration. She is an expert in database management development for health care, tourism, engineering, and marketing applications who helped establish the Advanced Information Management Solutions Laboratory (AIMS) in the college. Elizabeth Fisher, assistant professor, Department of Theatre and Dance, College of Arts and Humanities. She believes that creative, technical, and intellectual work are interactive. Dolores Foley, assistant professor in the Public Administration Program, College of Social Sciences, who creates situations that facilitate learning and collaborative teaching. Violet Harada, associate professor of library and informations, Department of Information and Computer Sciences, College of Natural Sciences. Harada hopes to improve the quality of school librarianship preparation and promote more effective access to information through school libraries locally and nationally. E. Alison Kay, professor, Department of Zoology, College of Natural Sciences, and an expert in marine mollusks. She hopes that her students will share her excitement of discovery. Mehrdad Nejhad, associate professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, who wants to pioneer novel design and manufacturing techniques for advanced materials. His senior design course won the Human Powered Vehicle national championship. Eric Yamamoto, professor, William S. Richardson School of Law, who has developed two unique seminars examining race, culture, and law in the United States and Hawai'i and requiring critical analyses of substantive materials.   Employment Training Center's Outstanding Employee of the Year This UH Community Colleges award recognizes excellence in teaching at the Employment Training Center, which links secondary and postsecondary education in Hawai'i through its programs for at-risk students. Thomas K. Doi, assistant professor, coordinates student services and is the special education counselor. He works with students, parents, host counselors and teachers to place students appropriately into programs.     Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Vocational Education This award recognizes UH Community Colleges faculty and students for outstanding achievement in and contribution to vocational education. Donald J. Bourassa, professor and assistant dean of technical development, Honolulu Community College. Bourassa linked course curricula in all Honolulu CC vocational education programs with actual needs of professions and integrated technology into course work.   SERVICE AWARDS Robert W. Clopton Award for Distinguished Community Service This award recognizes a Manoa faculty member who has accepted a socially significant role as an intellectual leader and exemplar beyond the campus and who has applied academic expertise to the improvement of the community. Randall Roth, professor, William S. Richardson School of Law, has been instrumental in building bridges between the University, law school and the broader community, producing a major and continuing impact on the way we look at the problems of this state. Through the two volumes of The Price of Paradise books, radio shows, newspaper articles and presentations to school and community groups, he has led the charge in identifying underlying social, economic and political problems facing Hawai'i today.   Hung Wo and Elizabeth Lau Ching Foundation Award for Faculty Service to the Community Two awards are presented to UH faculty members for significant contributions to strengthening ties between UH and the community. Joyce Chinen, sociology professor at the University of Hawai'i West O'ahu, is a long-standing volunteer on behalf of women, former plantation workers and Okinawans in Hawai'i. She has served as a humanities scholar on many local projects, delivered numerous guest lectures to various community organizations and is frequently contacted by the media for commentary on issues relating to women and work in Hawai'i. Robert J. LeClair chairs the Legal Assistant Program at Kapi'olani Community College, which received the U.S. Department of Education Secretary's Award and was designated one of the top 10 vocational programs in the nation. LeClair originated and edits the Hawai'i Divorce Manual and hosts the series Legally Speaking and You and the Law in Hawai'i.   Willard Wilson Award for Distinguished Service to the University This award recognizes extraordinary service and commitment to the UH. Suzanne Yamashita, director of Institutional Research, University of Hawai'i system, responds to requests for management and institutional information from UH administrators, planners and staff members, as well as from external agencies, including state and federal government offices and the private sector.

-UH-