College of Sciences awards faculty, staff, grad student

By Communications staff, Washington State University

Faculty, staff and graduate students were among those receiving annual honors at the recent College of Sciences Appreciation and Recognition Social. Honorees included:

* Herbert Nakata, emeritus microbiology professor, the Dean’s Legacy of Excellence Faculty Award. Nakata, whose career at WSU ran from the late 1950s to the early 1990s, was chair of his department for 24 years.
 

“We are not chest deep in people like him,” said fellow emeritus microbiology professor Kemet Spence. “He was an excellent chair who played no politics because he really is a gentleman with a sense of honor.”

 
* Michael Kallaher, mathematics professor, the Thomas E. Lutz Teaching Excellence Award.
 
Kallaher teaches – with excellent reviews from students – at every level in mathematics ranging from undergraduate courses to doctoral mathematic students, said College of Sciences Dean Michael Griswold. He also teaches in multiple areas within mathematics.
 
Griswold read aloud from a letter from an alumna, now a mathematician in her own right, testifying to Kallaher’s positive impact on her studies while she was at WSU.
 
 
 
* Richard Mack, professor in the School of Biological Sciences, the Distinguished Faculty Award. Mack was honored for excellent teaching, research and service at WSU for 35 years.
 
He was chair of the Department of Botany for 12 years and has researched the ecology and genetics of the cheat grass invasion in the Pacific Northwest.
 
 
 
* Patrick Carter, associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences, the Faculty Advising and Excellence Award. Carter is the lead pre-vet adviser in the school and advises more than 40 undergraduates per semester.
 

“The success of his advising is evidenced by the high proportion of his advisees who have been accepted to vet school in recent years,” Griswold said. “And several of his (undergraduate) students have published scientific papers.”

 
* John Harrison, assistant professor in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at WSU Vancouver, the Young Faculty Achievement Award.
 
He was recognized for outstanding research, teaching and service since joining WSU in 2006. He has garnered $1.3 million in research grants and published eight papers in the best journals in his field.
 
He has three graduate students, and he teaches at the 100-level as well as teaching graduate courses. 
 
 
 
* Kimberly Kaplan, graduate student in chemistry, the Distinguished Graduate Student Award. Kaplan works in the laboratory of professor Herb Hill, with an emphasis on the simultaneous evaluation of multiple metabolites in complex biological systems.
 
She has published three papers in peer-reviewed journals and presented two invited oral presentations at major conferences, COS Dean Michael Griswold noted.
 
* Pamela Guptill, program coordinator in mathematics, the Outstanding Staff Award (civil service).
 
“Pam provides a positive face for the Department of Mathematics as first contact with prospective graduate students and for faculty searches,” Griswold said. “She is always first to volunteer for anything that promotes the department and has a willing attitude.”
 
 
* Gordon Johnson, director of undergraduate laboratories, the Administrative Professional Outstanding Staff Award.
 

“Gordon’s energy and expertise in designing, running and continually readjusting the undergraduate labs has been crucial to the success of the introductory physics courses,” Griswold said. “For faculty new to teaching, especially, Gordon has often been a lifesaver.”