Boise State University professors Molly Gribb, Steve Novak and Nancy Otterness were named the winners of the university’s 17th Foundation Scholar Awards. The awards have been given annually since 1992 for ongoing commitment, expertise and accomplishment in teaching, research and creative activity and professionally related service. The 2008 winners were honored today during a reception in the Student Union.
Gribb, a professor of civil engineering, was named for the Research Award; Novak, an associate professor of biology, won for the Teaching Award; and Otterness, an associate professor of nursing, was named for the Service Award.
Gribb, who joined Boise State in 2000, focuses her research on subsurface soil and ground water contamination. She has been developing instruments to better understand the movement and detect contaminants in the subsurface, which can be used to predict risks to human health and the environment. She has received more than $6 million in research funding and has more than 30 publications to her name. Gribb places a high value on the development of future research scientists through active mentoring and research collaborations with both undergraduates and post-graduates. She has mentored six post-doctoral associates, 16 graduate students and 25 undergraduate students.
Since arriving at Boise State in 1993, Novak has taught a diversity of courses ranging from general biology for non-majors to graduate level courses in advanced evolutionary biology. Many of these courses were not only new to Boise State University, but new to the field of biology in general. Novak has developed coursework that encompasses the methodology employed in evolutionary science that is effective and cutting edge. In addition to formal classes, Novak has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students in not only the gathering of data, but how to analyze and interpret the results. As a result many of his students have continued their education and have become the next generation of research scientists.
Otterness, who has been at Boise State for 26 years, and her students have developed a strong reputation for their public service locally and as far away as China. For the past six years, Service-Learning has been part of her public health nursing students’ curriculum, giving them perspective on how to handle real-life unexpected situations in their professional field. She is a leader in the use of technology as a teaching aide and staying abreast of best practices through professional development.
Nick Miller, professor of history, was a finalist for the Research/Creative Activity Award; Rickie Miller, an associate professor in curriculum, instructional and foundational studies was a finalist for the Service Award; and Troy Rohn, an associate professor in biology was a finalist for the Teaching Award.
“In congratulating the recipients of these awards, we acknowledge their outstanding work and dedication,” said Sona Andrews, Boise State’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. “They and the former recipients of these awards have distinguished themselves in these areas. Their students and colleagues have recognized the special contributions they have made.
“At the same time we bestow these individual recognitions on a select number of our faculty, it is important that we recognize the contributions made by all faculty members at Boise State University. It is their combined efforts that create the academic excellence, vibrant culture, community partnerships, and exceptional research that is moving us toward becoming a metropolitan research university of distinction.”
Media Contact: Mike Journee, University Communications, (208) 426-1517, mikejournee@boisestate.edu
AfterWork is a new Boise State University program that allows adults to complete their entire bachelor’s degree through a combination of evening, weekend and online classes without exiting from their career track. More information is available at www.boisestate.edu/afterwork.
