ATHENS, Ohio -- Two Ohio University faculty members recently were named the first recipients of the Regional Higher Education (RHE) Outstanding Professor Award. Ohio University Southern Campus Associate Professor of Education Lacey Curtis and Ohio University Lancaster Campus Associate Professor of Communication Candice Thomas-Maddox are the recipients.
The award was created to formally recognize faculty members at Ohio University's five regional campuses who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. Award recipients will receive a $3,000 stipend for the next two years.
"I am very pleased to see this new award that recognizes the broad achievements of regional campus faculty members, and Lacey Curtis and Candice Thomas-Maddox are outstanding representatives of our faculty," said Vice President for Regional Higher Education Charles Bird. "Both have brought a level of energy and enthusiasm to their teaching, scholarship and service that exemplifies the commitment of our faculty to a growing role for regional campuses at Ohio University."
According to her colleagues, Curtis has distinguished herself as a teacher, in her personal and community activities at the local and state levels and in the classroom. She is credited for increasing the governance, accountability and research activities of all Southern Campus faculty members. She is the only certified Praxis III assessor at Ohio University and was appointed to the state committee that is constructing the writing exam for the Ohio Graduation Test.
Curtis was the first and is still the only member of Ohio University's Faculty Senate from the Southern Campus. Because of her outstanding leadership qualities, she has received many appointments to Regional Higher Education and university committees.
"Any time faculty are honored for their contributions in teaching and service to the university, it is a humbling experience," Curtis said. "I teach because I believe in education and want to prepare students to be the very best "teachers" possible, to enrich the lives of K-12 students and to raise the bar of learning. If I do that along with serving the community surrounding Ironton, then I have earned my salary."
Thomas-Maddox is known as an outstanding teacher who consistently receives excellent evaluations. She is very involved with students, serving as co-adviser to Phi Theta Kappa, the campus honor society, and as an instructor in the L.E.A.D. program. She also excels as an adviser to 25 to 30 students on the Lancaster Campus and has worked with several master's and doctoral degree candidates on the Athens Campus.
Awards are nothing new to Thomas-Maddox. Two years ago, she was selected the Outstanding Professor at the Lancaster Campus and the Speech Communication Association's 2002 Outstanding Scholar and she is a current candidate for the Eastern Communication Association's Outstanding Teacher award. Well-respected in her field, she is a frequent presenter at professional meetings, has served on the editorial board of communication journals and has reviewed textbooks and has authored or co-authored many journal articles, instructor's manuals and book chapters.
"To say that I'm honored by this award would be an understatement," said Thomas-Maddox. "It is a gift to be fortunate enough to have a career that is motivating, inspiring and challenging - RHE and Ohio University Lancaster Campus have given me this gift. I feel blessed to be surrounded by incredibly talented and supportive colleagues and the fact that they nominated me for this award makes it even more special."
The recipients were selected by the RHE Award Selection Committee, which comprises one faculty member from each of Ohio University's five regional campuses. Each campus is allowed to nominate one faculty member for the award. Awardees are not eligible to receive the award again for a period of three years.
