Seven faculty promoted at Trustee meetingPosted: April 14th, 2006SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. -- Seven members of the faculty at Lake Superior State University were granted promotions by the University’s Board of Trustees during an April 14 meeting. Two were promoted to associate professor and five to full professor.
Dr. Judy Westrick was hired as an assistant professor in 2001. Westrick earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Wayne State University and her Ph. D. in chemistry from the University of Colorado in 1989.
Westrick
She is known for her contagious cheerfulness in LSSU’s chemistry department, and is an energetic, solid classroom instructor who cares deeply for her students both in and outside the classroom. Westrick is also productive scholar. She has been extremely successful in bringing her students into this work as junior colleagues, supporting and guiding their work. The success of Dr. Westrick’s students in undergraduate research experiences, their employment, and in graduate school attests to her success as a faculty member. Westrick has been active in recruitment of highly qualified students to the university and the chemistry program. Praised by students and colleagues alike, she is recommended for promotion to the rank of associate professor.
Dr. David Myton began his Lake Superior State career in 1993 with an appointment as assistant professor in the chemistry department.
Myton
He was promoted to associate professor in 1997. Dr. Myton earned his undergraduate degree from George Fox College in 1980 and his masters and Ph.D. degrees from Portland State University in 1991, both in chemistry. He has served as acting dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences. Having teaching experiences at the junior and senior high school levels, as well as the university and community college levels, Myton was asked to return from his sabbatical leave to become chair of the Education department in 2003. Under his gifted leadership, the certification program gained final approval by the State board of Education, and a Masters of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction was approved and delivered. He is a gifted classroom instructor, cares deeply about his students, places the interests of the institution and its students first, and is an early adopter of new technology. He has gained a new level of respect for LSSU and its programs in Lansing while serving as chair of the School of Education. He contributed a chapter in The Best Teachers’ Test Preparation for the MTTC: Michigan Test for Teacher Certification, addressing biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth/space science in the Michigan Curriculum Framework. Myton was also requested to be an external evaluator for the Rackham Master of Arts in Education program at the University of Michigan. It is with a debt of gratitude for his service that Dr. Myton is recommended for promotion to the rank of professor.
Dr. John Roese has been at Lake State since 1990. He was promoted to associate professor of biology in 1995.
Roese
Roese has his undergraduate and masters degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University, and his Ph.D. in wildlife science from Texas A&M University. He is an associate certified wildlife biologist of The Wildlife Society. He is also a dedicated teacher and invests long hours toward perfecting his craft. Dr. Roese has a habit of changing specimens in his vertebrate anatomy classes to go beyond the usual sharks and cats. He uses different approaches, technologies, and experiences, all for the purpose of ensuring that his students learn as much as they are capable of learning. He sets high standards for his students and holds to them. Roese has served as a thoughtful member of the university curriculum committee for years. He has been active in updating the biology and fisheries and wildlife curricula. Roese was the principal author, along with three colleagues, of a $250,000 National Science Foundation grant that allowed the purchase of equipment, the redesign of the senior thesis program, and the upgrading of the animal quarters. He is also responsible for the design and construction of the cabinetry for the Gil Gleason Museum. Highly respected by his colleagues, Roese is recommended for promotion to the rank of professor.
Dr. Barbara Evans began her career at LSSU in 1994 and was promoted to associate professor of biology in 1997.
Evans
She has her undergraduate degree from the University of Ottawa and her Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Kansas in 1986. Dr. Evans is an excellent instructor, actively engaging students in questions and dialogue, and is especially effective in laboratories where she can guide students in thinking about their observations. Evans has lead major revisions in the biology curriculum over the past few years, developing an open inquiry-based approach to learning, supported by an NSF grant. She has assumed the co-directorship of the Aquatics Research Lab this past year, participating in the annual meetings between the University and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Dr. Evans is an outstanding scholar with an excellent record of publication and successful grant applications. She especially enjoys involving students in undergraduate research and has used her successes in this area to further enhance the inquiry-based curriculum. Widely respected by colleagues, Dr. Evans is recommended for promotion to full professor.
Dr. Paul Kelso was appointed an assistant professor at LSSU in 1993. He was promoted to associate professor of geology in 1997.
Kelso
Kelso received his undergraduate degree from LSSU and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Geophysics from the University of Minnesota in 1990 and 1993, respectively. He is a skilled and enthusiastic instructor who engages students in active learning experiences. He has attracted NSF funding to design, deliver, and assess innovative undergraduate geology programs. Kelso has been invited to participate in a number of national course design workshops as a result of his work. He is also nationally known for his research into rock magnetism, and has an excellent record of professional presentations, publication, and grantsmanship. Dr. Kelso serves on a variety of university committees, is advisor to the geology club, and is an active recruiter for the university. He is recommended for promotion to full professor.
Dr. Deborah Stai has been at the university since 1991, last promoted to associate professor of biology in 1995. Stai has her undergraduate and two master’s degrees from Mankato State University and her Ph.D. in Clinical Microbiology from the Union Institute in 1989.
Stai
She is a beloved teacher, winning LSSU’s Distinguished Teacher award in 2003. She is known for her cheerfulness and enthusiasm. Graduates from her program, and students completing their clinical internships in laboratory science, keep in regular touch with her. The sheer number of cards from this group attests to the respect and fondness they hold for this great teacher, and to their successes that are due in no small part to her teaching. Dr. Stai has served on the university general education committee, has been involved in consulting activities with the county health department, local veterinarians, and the U.S. Customs, among others. She has also been involved with the Michigan Association of Laboratory Science Educators in recruiting high school students into the field, improving board exams, and serving as an officer. Respected by her colleagues across campus, Dr. Stai is recommended for promotion to the rank of professor.
Dr. Robert Marshall Werner began his employment with Lake State in 2001 when he was appointed an assistant professor of chemistry.
Werner
Werner earned his undergraduate degree at Cornell University and his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland-College Park in bio-organic chemistry in 1998. He continually works to improve his teaching, demonstrating a willingness to try innovative ways to engage his students in active learning. His research abilities are widely acclaimed, having distinguished himself within the Early Mortality Syndrome scientific community with research into the reproductive failure of Great Lakes salmonid species. Werner has a successful record of awarded grants. He is currently the principal investigator for a $715,000 Environmental Protection Agency grant for an environmental assessment of the St. Mary’s River. Dr. Werner is recommended for promotion to the rank of associate professor.
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