The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia recently bestowed its most prestigious recognition upon two University faculty members. Edward J. Berger, associate mechanical and aerospace engineering professor, and Pediatrics Prof. John Kattwinkel are two of 12 recipients of the annual Outstanding Faculty Award for exceptional achievements in higher education.
According to Kathleen Kincheloe, SCHEV assistant director of communication?, the Outstanding Faculty Award is "the highest honor of state recognition" a commonwealth college or university faculty member can receive.
The 12 recipients, including Berger and Kattwinkel, were chosen from 96 nominees, Kincheloe said, adding that the selection process consisted of a series of decisions made by a 46-member peer review board composed of previous recipients and chief academic officers of various universities. Of the original 96 nominees, 27 moved on to the final selection round in which a separate committee composed of business, community and higher education leaders selected the 12 winners.
According to Kincheloe, the selection process overseen by the two committees was qualitative and based on teaching, research, public service, knowledge integration and "how those four areas interact with the distinct mission of the respective school."
Kattwinkel said he was honored to receive SCHEV's award in commemoration of his work.
"The older you get, the more opportunities you have, and I think that this is really a nice recognition of 32 years of my being at the University," he said.
Kattwinkel said he believes he was recognized primarily for his previous achievements in the field of neonatal care, noting that his efforts have advanced knowledge of infant care.
Berger said his main achievements during the past several years have involved integrating technology with teaching by using tools such as "modern Web 2.0," podcasts and blogs. Berger added that the award makes him realize it is "gratifying to put in time and effort to do innovative things" and to work with students, whom he said were vital to his recognition.
Berger and Kattwinkel will be honored by SCHEV Feb. 20 in Richmond?.
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