Indiana University East recognized several faculty and staff with awards for their service to the university during the Honors Convocation ceremony held April 15.

Chancellor Nasser Paydar and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Larry Richards presented the following IU East faculty with awards during the program.

Judith Battraw, assistant professor of Education, received the Helen Lees Award for Excellence in Teaching. The Helen Lees Award was established in 1991. Professor Emeritus Lees passed away in 1992, but her spirit continues in the award IU East presents each year. It is to honor a full-time faculty member who has taught at least 10 semesters at IU East.

Battraw received the award for her ability to articulate the connection she makes between her teaching philosophy and what she does in the classroom. She emphasizes student engagement, integration of technology, and responsibility for student learning. She conveys knowledge effectively while also serving as a role model for future practicing teachers.

Mort Seddighin, professor of math, received the Award for Excellence in Research. This award recognizes excellence in research and/or creative work by a full-time faculty member over a sustained period of time. Seddighin is nationally and internationally recognized for his research and scholarship on anti-eigenvalues and their applications.

Seddighin has published many refereed journal articles, with more currently under review or in preparation, in addition to numerous chapters in published proceedings, edited articles in math review publications, and articles in the online publications of the Mathematical Association of America. He is frequently invited to give guest presentations and lectures at conferences and institutions throughout the country and world-wide.

TJ Rivard, professor of English, received the Distinguished Faculty Service Award. This award recognizes distinguished service, either one-time or sustained, by a full-time faculty member above and beyond the expectations of any compensation or release time provided for the service. While TJ Rivard is well-known at IU East for his many contributions, over a period of nine years, as the Chair of the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts and the inaugural Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, he has been selected for the 2010 Distinguished Faculty Service Award for what he has done for IU East and the community over and above his administrative accomplishments.

Rivard has served on no fewer than 19 campus committees over the past five years alone, in addition to participating in significant ways in too many campus events to list. He has acted in and directed plays for the Richmond Civic Theatre and served on its board, including as president. He has worked on projects and performances with the Morrison-Reeves Library and the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. He is currently serving as an assessment mentor for our regional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, and is co-chairing the self-study effort for our re-accreditation visit in the fall of 2011.

Mary Fell, professor of English, received the Chancellor’s Faculty Award. This award recognizes outstanding all-around achievement, either short-term or sustained, by an IU East faculty member, and can be awarded for any combination of research, teaching, and service.

For the past 28 years plus, Fell has made invaluable contributions in all areas of faculty performance in teaching, research and creative activities, and service. She is truly a model faculty member. She has received numerous awards for her teaching accomplishments, and many students report on the difference that she has made in their lives.

Fell has published two books, and many of her poems have been published in various journals and collected works. She has received national awards and recognitions for her poetry. Fell has also published articles on writing poetry, and been invited to speak at events both near and distant. On campus, she has served on many committees, often chairing them. She has been consistently willing to take on responsibilities when a need has arisen.

Mary Freeland, adjunct faculty, received the Part-time Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award recognizes excellence in teaching by an adjunct faculty member over a sustained period of time. Freeland specializes in teaching our students how to implement Physical Education in elementary schools. The Teaching Awards Committee thought that the exercises she uses with our pre-service student-teachers allows them to experience first-hand what an elementary school student would experience. She integrates classroom activities with outside observations of children to provide multiple perspectives on the challenges involved.

Awards were presented to an outstanding support staff member and professional staff member who have made significant contributions to IU East during the past year. Amber Clark, support staff for the Center for Teaching and Learning, received the Staff Council Service Award and Brindy Roosa, director of Gift Development, received the Professional Council Service Award.

Clark has coordinated new programs including the Course Enhancement and Development grant for faculty to develop coursework online, and Course Assistant Program, in which she provides guidance and technical support for individuals assisting faculty and students in online courses.

Roosa led the highly successful IU East Campus Campaign in 2009, where 95 percent of faculty and staff made a financial contribution to the campus.