Awards Presented At WKU's
Opening Convocation
August 17, 2004
Bowling Green, Ky. - Several special awards were presented Tuesday morning at Western Kentucky University's opening convocation at Van Meter Auditorium.
Spirit of Western Award
James Highland, print journalism program coordinator in the School of Journalism and Broadcasting, received the third Spirit of Western Award, which recognizes an individual who represents enthusiasm for Western, loyalty to the institution and principles of the Western experience and its motto "The Spirit Makes the Master."
Highland, who has been at WKU since 1973, is involved with First Amendment issues nationwide as a campus leader in the Society of Professional Journalists, directs a minority journalism workshop at WKU, and conducts seminars for professionals and students.
Diversity awards
Recipients of the fourth annual President's Award for Diversity were Robert Adams, employee; Alice Gatewood Waddell, community; and Mary Paola Cassana, student.
Adams, director of Student Publications, was honored for his 20 years of work with a minority journalism workshop. The two-week summer workshop exposes minority students to opportunities in journalism and provides them with mentors.
Cassana, a full-time undergraduate international student from Peru, is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in health care administration. Since arriving at Western, she has been devoted to promoting diversity on and off campus, has served as the founder and president of the WKU Latin America Student Association and has been an active participant in organizations that foster multi-ethnic awareness and understanding.
Waddell, a renowned artist, has embraced diversity for years at WKU and in Bowling Green. She was the first African-American elected Homecoming Queen at Western, is an active member of the Society of African American Alumni and serves on numerous local organizations.
Faculty awards
At the annual faculty convocation, Provost Barbara Burch formally presented this year’s faculty excellence awards to Dr. Doug Harper, physics and astronomy, excellence in teaching; Dr. Matt Green, physical education and recreation, excellence in research/creativity; Linda Todd, business and computer studies at Bowling Green Community College, excellence in public service; Jo-Anne Ryan, journalism and broadcasting, excellence in student advising.
Dr. Burch also recognized the newest University Distinguished Professors: Michael J. Seidler and Joseph L. Trafton, both professors in the Department of Philosophy and Religion.
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