ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio University College of Communication recently announced the 2003 recipients of the L.J. Hortin Faculty Mentor Award and the College of Communication Outstanding Employee of the Year Award.
Drusilla Riley Evarts, a 30-year Ohio University journalism professor, was selected for the L.J. Hortin Faculty Mentor Award. Wanda Sheridan, a School of Interpersonal Communication administrator, was selected as Outstanding Employee of the Year.
The L.J. Hortin Faculty Mentor Award is given each year to a current or former faculty member who exhibits commitment to the professional and personal growth of students. The selection process is based on faculty members' continual efforts to go beyond the normal mentoring role, their ongoing relationship with the nominator and their impact on his or her career. The award was established in 2000 by Tom Kuby to honor his mentor, Loren Joseph Hortin, who was a professor of journalism at Ohio University from 1947 to 1967.
Evarts joined the faculty of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism in 1973. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees and Ph.D. from Ohio University, has been a teaching assistant for the university's news bureau and director of operations for Trimble Hospital. She has also worked as a freelance book editor, managing editor of the Journal of Marketing and has written a number of family histories.
Sheridan has served Ohio University for more than 17 years. In addition to job responsibilities at Ohio University, Sheridan has served on a variety of committees. In 1997-1998, Sheridan served as the chair of the Ohio University Classified Senate. She also chaired the Ohio Staff Council for Higher Education (OSCHE) in 1999-2000.
The award honors outstanding employees who set standards for excellence and innovation.
College of Communication Dean Kathy Krendl said, "These two individuals are very deserving of the respective awards. Dru is the ultimate mentor. Her nominations spoke to her lifelong influence on her students. Wanda was praised for her dedication in her own position and also for her efforts in developing policies to support classified staff at Ohio University."
