Green Bay, WI — The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay has recognized some of its top faculty and staff members August 23, 2017, with 2017 Founders Awards for Excellence. The awards were presented before an audience of more than 450 in the Phoenix Room of the University Union, UW-Green Bay. Made possible by private philanthropic support, the awards program has been an annual fixture at UW-Green Bay since 1975. Honorees are selected by a campus-wide committee from nominations submitted by faculty, staff and others. The award winners honored at the annual UW-Green Bay Fall Convocation are:
Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching — Phil Clampitt
The Founders Awards for Excellence in Teaching recognized Prof. Phil Clampitt for going the extra mile to the help students obtain the best educational experience during college. His dedication to challenging students with independent study experiences, research and teaching assistantships, honors projects and internships was noted in his nomination, as was his demonstrated enthusiasm, teaching relevance and academic rigor. A student nominator described Clampitt as a teacher who “challenges each student, strives for continual improvement, teaches students to think critically and provides interesting and engaging content in lectures.” Clampitt is known to stay closely connected to many of his students as they graduate and contribute to the greater community.
Faculty Award for Excellence in Scholarship — Bob Howe
Prof. Bob Howe’s scholarship is exceptional by any metric. This faculty member has published more than 65 peer-reviewed articles, written numerous article in his field and has been cited thousands of times. He has been an author or co-author for multiple grant applications, that in the past decade alone, has brought approximately $2 million to the University. While scholarship is at the center of his career, it also extends into every aspect of his teaching and service. His research is particularly valued in the wider community because of its intentional focus on biological conservation, making it directly relevant and of great concern to the public. In the summer of 2017, he and his colleagues had their work published in the foremost science journal in the world — Science. Howe’s efforts are noted at the national, state and community level in areas of ornithology, forestry, environmental protection and wildlife, with a special emphasis on Great Lakes ecosystems.
University Award for Collaborative Achievement — Vicki Medland, NAS Heirloom Plant Sale
For nearly two decades, a collaborative team of faculty, staff, students and volunteers, has been making a huge impact on the UW-Green Bay landscape. Led by Vicki Medland and faculty and staff from Natural and Applied Sciences (NAS), it is estimated that the annual NAS Heirloom Vegetable and Plant Sale has generated about $100,000 for student research and academically related travel. The collaborative nature of this program is manifest at several levels — “Involvement of community members as volunteers in the growing process, involvement of the general public (as well as faithful UW-Green Bay faculty/staff customers) as eager growers of the heirloom plant varieties, and involvement of students who have been able to use the funds to complete and present their work,” according to one nominator. Results of the sales help UW-Green Bay students to achieve their academic goals, learn practical field experience and attain an affordable education by providing thousands of dollars for student academic development opportunities. In the greater Green Bay area, this team has committed to providing education programs that support our communities, public entities, park programs and organizations.
University Staff Award for Excellence — Janet Ludke
Academic Department Associate of Natural and Applied Sciences (NAS), Janet Ludke is recognized as a staff member whose activities, accomplishments and service within the University and the community are most deserving of acknowledgement by the University. Ludke has been described by her colleagues as “extremely dedicated, effective and efficient, helpful, knowledgeable, accomplished, proactive and remarkable.” She is said to carry excellence in all aspects of her career. She is a creative problem-solver and engages in positive interactions with community, faculty, staff and students. Due to staffing shortages in recent years, Ludke has served as the only administrative support person in an area which typically has multiple support staff. Her unwavering support has helped the academic unit to train new personnel and maintain accreditation standards and budget oversight on grants and external funding obtained by the Natural and Applied Sciences faculty.
University Academic Support Award for Excellence — Darrel Renier
Director of Academic Advising, Darrel Renier is being recognized for his exemplary commitment to work, collaboration, innovation and creativity in activities that are valuable to the institution or helpful to a range of people in a number of ways. Renier is noted as an exceptional leader on campus who approaches work with an unshakeable commitment to student success and the questions, “How will this promote student success?” and, “How will it move us forward in efforts to improve the student experience at UWGB?” Renier has gained tremendous respect from different constituencies across the University. He helps students reach their goals efficiently and effectively. Faculty and staff view him as a valuable coach, resource and fierce advocate for students. Renier has led the Office of Academic Advising successfully through a period of significant change. He created new programs such as the advising task force and student success committee to better address student success and has been a major collaborator in the development of the Gateways to Phoenix Success (GPS) program.
University Award for Excellence in Institutional Development — Andrew Austin
Professor Andrew Austin has a record of extraordinary service to the University. He has not only served as a member of innumerable University and departmental committees, but also played a leading role at most every opportunity. Austin led in efforts to transform Social Change and Development into Democracy and Justice Studies (DJS). He fought to keep DJS thriving despite staffing shortages and dramatic change. While serving as department chair DJS was transformed with reinvigorated faculty, revised curriculum and a dramatic increase in student majors and minors. His campus contributions include service on Faculty Senate, University Committee, General Education Committee, Institutional Review Board, Research Council , Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Team, Board of the Center for History and Social Change , Writing Across the Curriculum Task Force, Invent the Future Steering Committee, Online Education Vision Working Group and the Interdisciplinary Education Task Force.
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