Recipients of 2000-01 University Professor Awards Named

Contact: Karin Sandell, (740) 5932681

Editors: Photos of the recipients may be downloaded from the Web at www.ohiou.edu/news/pix

ATHENS, Ohio (May 31, 2000) -- Six Ohio University faculty members recently were named recipients of University Professor Awards. They are Assistant Professor of Political Science Patricia Weitsman, Professor of Journalism Michael Bugeja, Assistant Professor of Psychology Gary Sarver, Professor of Interpersonal Communication Paul Nelson, Associate Professor of Social Work Carolyn Tice and Associate Professor of History Richard Harvey

Initiated in 1970, the University Professor program allows students to recognize by popular vote the university's outstanding teachers. Award recipients receive $2,000 each and are expected to teach two courses on topics of their choice the following academic year.

Weitsman, who has taught political science courses at Ohio University since 1995, also was named University Professor in 1998. She will teach a class next year on propaganda and popular culture.

Bugeja, who also serves as a special assistant to the president, has been on the Ohio University faculty since 1986. He plans to develop a creative workshop in applied ethics and also is contemplating a course on peace and empowerment.

Sarver has taught at Ohio University and worked as a private psychologist and neuropsychologist since 1973. He will teach a course next year titled, "Unconscious Motivation in American Culture and Politics."

Nelson joined the university in 1981 as the dean of the College of Communication, a position he held for 15 years. He now teaches interpersonal communications and has authored several textbooks and instructional videos. He plans to teach a course on civility and communication based on a book by two Ohio University alumni.

Tice teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in social welfare policy. She plans to teach a course focusing on social issues as portrayed in popular film.

Harvey teaches early modern European and English history, western civilization, the history of witchcraft, women in European history and gender in the Renaissance. He plans to teach a course about Queen Elizabeth I.