5/15/98
Contact: Fred Weiner, (740) 593-1616
ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University Associate Professor of Human and Consumer Sciences Helen Hagens was honored Friday for contributions to student growth and development outside traditional classroom roles and academic responsibilities.
Hagens was the 1998 recipient of the Student Affairs Division's Faculty Contribution Award, presented at a reception Friday afternoon at Baker Center.
An associate professor of human and consumer sciences, Hagens has been with the university for five years. She has served as faculty associate for James Hall on West Green for one year and was the faculty associate for Bush and Biddle halls on East Green for three years. She also is the adviser to the Student Early Childhood Organization, the professional student organization of early childhood educators; has worked with Athens Friends of International Students; and has hosted the teachers of a Japanese student group that comes to Athens each spring. She also advises the student group Unitarian Universalist Spiritual Liberals.
"Helen's genuine care for the whole student is apparent in all she does," Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Joel Rudy said at Friday's reception. "She has given a lot of time and talent to the students of Ohio University, and the Faculty Contribution Award Committee and her nominating references cannot imagine anyone more worthy of this particular award."
Hagens was among several nominees from the Athens and regional campuses. The recipient must be a full-time employee of the university, spending at least 50 percent of his or her time teaching; show evidence of interest in student development beyond the classroom; and have assumed leadership in encouraging other faculty to be involved in Student Affairs. In addition to having her name inscribed on a brass plaque displayed at Baker Center, Hagens will receive art from the School of Art faculty.