NEWS

Louisiana Tech University Senate started its fall quarter by recognizing two professors for exemplary service during the past year.

Dr. David Mills, a professor in the College of Applied and Natural Sciences, accepted the University Senate Chair Award, and Larry Jarrell, an instructor in the College of Business, was awarded the Virgil Orr Undergraduate Junior Faculty Award.

The awards were presented at Tech’s annual faculty meeting Tuesday by University Senate President Dr. Ron Cathey.

The University Senate Chair Award, which includes a plaque and $2,000 stipend from the University Senate, annually recognizes a full-time tenured faculty member whose research, teaching and service are seen as significant contributions to the mission and purpose of the university.

Mills, a professor of biological sciences, has conducted research and outreach to expand knowledge in the molecular science and nanotechnology fields and their applications in the biological, bioengineering, material and medical sciences. He continues to work to form meaningful connections between research scientists, engineers, K-12 schools and the community. Mills has published many articles related to his research and serves on several university and community boards and projects.

In addition to Mills, 2009 nominees were: Dr. Tony Inman, Ruston Building and Loan professor of management in the College of Business; Dr. David Hall, James F. Naylor Jr. professor of mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering and Science; and Mark Guinn, a professor of theater in the College of Liberal Arts.

The Virgil Orr Undergraduate Junior Faculty Award was established in 2000 from a proposal developed by the University Senate and approved by Tech President Dr. Dan Reneau. The purpose of the award is to recognize junior faculty who are non-tenured, regardless of years of service, or untenured faculty in tenure-track positions who have made significant contributions to the mission and purpose of the university. The award includes a plaque and a $1,500 stipend from the University Foundation.

Jarrell has taught business and marketing courses at Tech for six years and coordinates the internship program in the College of Business. In addition, he has served on the University Senate, Faculty Advisory Council, and several other university and community organizations.

 In addition to Jarrell, this year’s nominees were: Dawn Erickson, an instructor of human ecology in the College of Applied and Natural Sciences; Dr. Tammy Schilling, an assistant professor of kinesiology in the College of Education; Dr. Pedro Derosa, an assistant professor of physics in the College of Engineering and Science; and Dr. Richard Hutchinson, an assistant professor of sociology in the College of Liberal Arts.

Written by Dr. Elizabeth Christian