NC State Alumni Association Honors Rouskas, Franzon, Lazzi as Distinguished Faculty

May 22, 2003

NC State Alumni Association Honors 18 as Distinguished Faculty

-from NC State News Services

To honor excellence in teaching, research, extension and outreach, the North Carolina State University Alumni Association has recognized 18 faculty members with stipends totaling $57,000 for their contributions to the university’s academic excellence.

Each honoree receives a one- or two-year stipend to support individual projects in teaching, research, extension or outreach. The recipients were recognized at an Alumni Association awards dinner on Thursday, May 15, in the McKimmon Center.

As the cornerstone of this program, the Alumni Distinguished Professorship honors the “best of the best” in undergraduate and graduate instruction. The undergraduate awards were established in 1968; the graduate awards followed in 1983. With each of these awards, the professor receives two $3,000 yearly stipends.

The 2003 Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professors are:

* Dr. Alton J. Banks of Cary, Department of Chemistry, College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
* Dr. Paul D. Franzon of Holly Springs, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
* Dr. John A. Heitmann Jr. of Raleigh, Department of Wood and Paper Science, College of Natural Resources
* Dr. Roger L. Moore of Raleigh, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, College of Natural Resources
* Dr. Herman A. Sampson of Knightdale, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
* Dr. Thomas R. Wentworth of Raleigh, Department of Botany, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The 2003 Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professors are:

* Dr. Marie Davidian of Raleigh, Department of Statistics, College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences
* Dr. Don C. Locke of Asheville, Department of Adult and Community College Education, College of Education.

The Alumni Outstanding Research Awards were first presented in 1981. These awards provide a one-time stipend of $3,000 to each awardee. This year, the Alumni Association was able to increase the stipend from $2,000 to $3,000 with monetary assistance from Dr. John Gilligan, vice chancellor for research and graduate studies. The nomination and selection process is handled by Gilligan’s office. Faculty who make significant advances in their field of study are eligible for this award. This year’s awardees are:

* Dr. Michael Purugganan of Durham, Department of Genetics, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
* Dr. George Rouskas of Raleigh, Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering
* Dr. Anastasios Tsiatis of Raleigh, Department of Statistics, College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

The Alumni Outstanding Outreach and Extension Awards, established in 1978, provide a one-time stipend of $2,000 to each awardee. The nomination and selection process is handled by the office of Dr. Stephen Jones, vice chancellor for extension and engagement. Extension agents and specialists who make an extraordinary effort to bring research and technology to the people and businesses of North Carolina are eligible. The 2003 Alumni Outstanding Outreach and Extension awardees are:

* Dr. Kevin Anderson of Cary, Department of Farm Animal Health and Resource Management, College of Veterinary Medicine
* Dr. Rick Brandenburg of Raleigh, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
* Barry Nash of Morehead City, North Carolina Sea Grant College Program.

The Alumni Association also honors four faculty members chosen from among 16 winners of Outstanding Teacher Awards. These awardees were selected by the NC State Senior Class Board of Trustees, chaired by Senior Class President Decker Ngongang, to receive further recognition and a $1,000 stipend. The 2003 Alumni Outstanding Teachers are:

* Dr. Gail Peter Borden of Raleigh, School of Architecture, College of Design
* Dr. Charles C. Hardin of Raleigh, Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
* Dr. David H. Henard of Raleigh, Department of Business Management, College of Management
* Dr. Gianluca Lazzi of Raleigh, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering.

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Media Contacts:

Kathy Hart, 919/515-8394

Paul K. Mueller, News Services, 919/515-3470

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