Three faculty members and three staff employees have been honored their service at California State University San Marcos by President Karen S. Haynes. The awards were presented at the first annual Faculty/Staff Awards Reception, Thursday, January 12, 2006. They are part of a program to increase recognition of outstanding service and scholarship among faculty and staff.
In presenting the awards, Haynes said of the awardees, "they represent, in the best sense, the talents of this campus."
The President's Award for Innovation in Teaching was presented to Charles De Leone, assistant professor of physics. The award recognizes a faculty member who has introduced new and innovative teaching techniques that engage students and produce a significant positive impact on student learning.
De Leone has redesigned his introductory physics course to interest students who come from a biological sciences background. His innovative approach enables students to see how physical models are the basis for many biological and chemical processes.
De Leone joined the campus in 2001. He holds degrees from Santa Clara University and the University of California, Davis.
The President's Award for Scholarship and Creative Activity was presented to Victoria Fabry, professor of biological sciences. The award recognizes a faculty member for outstanding research, scholarship or creative activity, depending on what applies in the candidate's field.
Fabry was named for her research on the effects of climate change on marine organisms, which has been published in the prestigious journals Science and Nature. Fabry was called to the nation's capitol to testify before a Senate committee on her findings.
Fabry came to San Marcos in 1993. She holds bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
The President's Award for Service, presented for the first time this year, recognized Alice Quiocho, associate professor of education. The award honors faculty who perform sustained meritorious service and who apply their professional expertise and interests in diverse roles outside the classroom.
Quiocho was recognized for her work with students as advocate, mentor and friend, as well as the volume of service she provides to the campus and the off-campus community. Quiocho advises school teachers on coping with demographic changes in their classrooms in order to meet student needs.
Quiocho became a member of the San Marcos faculty in 1996. She holds degrees from Holy Names College, Azusa Pacific University and the University of Washington.
Two employees, Anita Nix and Michele Ojeda, were recognized with Employee of the Year Awards.
Employees are eligible for this new award if they have been recognized as Employees of the Month during the preceding calendar year and have been nominated by their supervisor for the annual award. Employees are recognized for their outstanding representation of the university to the campus community, their contribution to improving the flow of university business operations, and for accomplishments in their individual units.
Anita Nix is administrative coordinator to the literature and writing department. She was recognized for her work with 31 teaching associates in the department, for offering to assist 60 graduate students in organizing an event, and for developing and writing a training manual for new academic coordinators. She has been with the university since 1992. She began working in telephone services, then moved to public safety before joining the literature and writing department in 1999. Prior to working at San Marcos, she was employed by Cal State San Bernardino.
Michele Ojeda is coordinator of scholarship and Federal Work Study programs. She interacts will all the students who apply for scholarships and financial aid, and processes hundreds of checks for recipients. She also works with students who are employed through the Federal Work Study program. She has been with the university since 1993, starting in fiscal operations. She assumed her current responsibility as the scholarship and federal work-study coordinator in the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office in 2000. Michele formerly served in the business office at National University where she also earned a bachelor’s degree in human behavior.
The first recipient of the Ernest and Leslie Zomalt Outstanding Service Award is Linda Leiter, associate vice president of human resources and campus enterprises. The award recognizes a staff member or administrator for their contributions toward achievement of the university's mission, and demonstrated service to the campus community. Ernest Zomalt served as a vice president of Cal State San Marcos from 1990 to 2000.
Leiter has been with the campus for 15 years, first with student services and later with finance and administrative services. She was cited for her broad view of campus needs and for a calm, reasoned manner that serves her well in dealing with difficult issues. She oversees operations in human resources and equal opportunity, campus operations, risk management and safety and the Clarke Field House/University Student Union.
Faculty recipients of the President's Awards receive $2,000 cash awards and an engraved Mont Blanc pen, courtesy of the University Store. Recipients of the Employee of the Year award each receive a $2,000 cash award and a plaque. The recipient of the Zomalt award receives a $1,000 cash award, a framed certificate, and listing on a perpetual plaque to be displayed on campus.
