May 2004 • The monthly newsletter for UWT faculty and staff

House Higher Education Committee visits UWT

(Continued from previous page)
Olswang expressed appreciation to the House members for recognizing that each of the four campuses mandated to do a self-study has developed in a unique way and that the four reports to be submitted in November are likely to chart different futures for those four campuses.

The report on UW Tacoma will reflect how it can best meet educational and economic development needs in the South Puget Sound region as a campus of the University of Washington.

A committee composed of faculty, administrators, staff, students and community leaders will conduct the study and create a draft report, with input from campus and regional communities before it is delivered to Interim Chancellor Olswang. He will submit the report to the UW president and regents, who will submit the final report to the HEC Board. The HEC Board will provide input and submit all four reports to the Legislature in December.

There is urgency to these questions. Research shows that by 2008, Washington state colleges and universities will need at least 35,000 new seats to meet the growing demand for education created primarily by the baby boom echo. UW Tacoma and the other campuses being studied are expected to play a major role in meeting these needs, which suggests the state will need to invest substantially to allow these campuses to continue growing rapidly.

Legislators are interested in how UW Tacoma and the other campuses
will integrate faculty research with teaching and in the level at which state and tuition dollars should fund campus operations. They also wonder whether some or all of these campuses will develop freshman- and sophomore-level offerings, continue to specialize in a two-plus-two model working closely with the community and technical college system or instead establish a hybrid model. One thing is for sure: at UW Tacoma, accepting transfer students from community colleges in the Puget Sound region will always be a major priority.

---

Distinguished Teaching Award: Beth Kalikoff

Beth Kalikoff, an assistant professor in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, has been a member of the UWT faculty since 1998. She is known as an energetic, engaging teacher and a dedicated scholar.  Before she began teaching full-time at UWT, she developed UWT’s first campuswide writing center. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in English from Indiana University and a B.A. in English from Johns Hopkins University.

Among students, Kalikoff is known for her energy and capability to inspire. Among her peers, she is greatly respected as an engaging teacher and dedicated scholar. One faculty nominator wrote that she exemplifies both the spirit and mission of the Distinguished Teaching Award, describing her as truly brilliant in front of a class.

"She has a sparkling and engaging personality," the nominator wrote, "and she spreads her enthusiasm for literature and writing like a contagion. Her students are learning to think, research, analyze, make arguments and communicate."
 

Distinguished Service Award: Tony Myers

Financial Aid Coordinator Tony Myers has been a UW employee for 15 years.  As one of the first points of contact for new students entering UWT, Myers is respected for his financial aid expertise and dedication to students. Overseeing scholarships, financial aid, work-study employment and veterans affairs, he encourages students to pursue scholarships and has advised several student organizations.

“Our work makes a lasting impression on students” Myers said. “When you see a student you’ve worked with earn a degree, you know your work has been valuable.”

Distinguished Service Award: Cathy Thompson

Program assistant Cathy Thompson has been part of the Enrollment Services and Student Affairs team for six years. Originally hired as the front-counter receptionist and campus telephone operator, she now has primary responsibility for scheduling classrooms. Known for her diplomacy, commitment and compassion, as well as her willingness to take on new challenges, she is admired across the campus.

“Our campus is a really comfortable place to work,” Thompson said. “You can tell that the students really enjoy being here, and that makes it a great place to work.”

Distinguished Researcher Award: Charles Emlet

Charles Emlet, an assistant professor in Social Work, focuses his research on HIV in the elderly. He holds a Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University and earned both an M.S.W. and a B.A. from California State University, Fresno. Emlet, a member of the faculty at UW Tacoma since 1999 and was recently appointed to the Governor’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. He hopes his new position on the statewide council will allow him to educate more people about the risks of HIV and AIDS after age 50.

“People believe that after a certain age, you become asexual and HIV and AIDS is not an issue,” he said. “That’s just not true, and I’d like to bring that issue to the public.”

Emlet recently published the book “HIV/AIDS and Older Adults: Challenges for Individuals, Families and Communities.”

Emlet will deliver a public lecture or presentation on his research to the UWT community in the fall.

Distinguished Alumni Award: Sally York

Sally York is currently serving her second term as president of the UWT Alumni Association. A tireless member of UWTAA since its inception, York was selected for her commitment and dedication to the UWT campus and the Alumni Association. York, a clinical coordinator at Northwest Orthopaedic Institute, received her B.S.N. in 1994 and her M.N. in 2001.

“Sally York is a great ambassador for the Alumni Association and the campus as a whole,” Alumni Relations Manager Karen Reed said. “She and has given up so much of her free time to strengthen our growing alumni group.”

Rod Hagenbuch Award: Valerie Burns

The Rod Hagenbuch Award is presented to the graduating senior who, through distinguished volunteer service and commitment to UWT, best exemplifies the University of Washington, Tacoma’s ideal of service combined with learning. Valerie Burns, a graduate of Gig Harbor High School, transferred to UWT from Tacoma Community College and has been an active leader among social work students. She served as a volunteer at Rose House, a facility for adults with mental illness. Her work combines the best traditions of social work practice: social justice, ethical practice and a deep respect for diversity. She will graduate June 11 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in social welfare.

Community Founders Award: Bill Philip

The Community Founders Award is a new award honoring a community member who has made important contributions to UWT. The award’s first recipient, Bill Philip, has served UWT as an influential friend since before the campus was founded. His efforts to bring together community support and attract political and financial backing were vital to getting the University of Washington, Tacoma sited and to getting the Institute of Technology launched in 2001.

Brotman Award for Instructional Excellence: Environmental Science

The Brotman Award recognizes UW undergraduate programs for advancing excellence in teaching and learning. The Environmental Science program is the first at UWT to receive the award, which comes with a monetary prize to be invested in further fostering the academic strengths of the program. Environmental Science was chosen for its rich curriculum, community outreach, outstanding student placement and strong faculty. The Brotman award is named in recognition of a gift to the UW from Jeffrey and Susan Brotman. Jeffrey Brotman is a UW regent. Susan Brotman is on the UW Foundation Board of Directors.