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College of Arts & Science Honors Alumni and Faculty

February 19th, 2011

Story Contact: MU News Bureau, 573-882-6211, munewsbureau@missouri.edu

By Brad Fischer

COLUMBIA, Mo. –The 30th annual Arts and Science Week at the University of Missouri provides a unique opportunity for the college to recognize its top students, alumni and faculty. The banquet on Feb. 18 honored Distinguished Alumni Award recipients and faculty Chalk Award winners.

The Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to three College of Arts and Science alumni who graduated from the departments of physics, English and history (names and biographies below). The awards recognize alumni whose professional contributions have enhanced their respective disciplines and the lives of others, while also reflecting well on the College of Arts and Science.

“These alumni award winners are among the best and brightest in the Arts and Science community,” said Michael J. O’Brien, dean of the college. “Arts and Science Week gives us a chance to step back and appreciate the accomplishments of students, faculty and alumni of the college.”

The Purple, Blue and Green Chalk Awards were presented to faculty, advisers and teaching assistants earlier in the week by the Arts and Science Student Council. At the banquet, Ted Tarkow, associate dean, acknowledged the teaching excellence of select faculty members through Purple Chalk Awards, paid tribute to advisers through Blue Chalk Awards and honored teaching assistants with Green Chalk Awards (full list of recipients below).

The 2011 Arts and Science Week Distinguished Alumni Awards Recipients

The distinguished Alumni Awards recognize several alumni whose professional contributions have enhanced their respective disciplines and the lives of others, while also reflecting well on the College of Arts and Science.

William F. Brinkman, BS ’60, PhD ’65 Physics, was vice president of research at Bell Laboratories until 2001 when he retired and became a senior research associate at Princeton University. In 2009, President Obama appointed Brinkman to be director of the Office of Science at the U.S. Department of Energy.

Jeanette W. Mann, BA ’57, MA ’63, PhD ’69 English, has been a life-long advocate of diversity and social justice. She was the first woman named to the Pasadena City College’s governing board in 1983, where she continues to serve. Mann also serves as president of the governing board of the Community College League of California and acting president of the governing board of the California Community College Trustees.

Ryan Yantis, BA ’83 History, served in the Army for 22 years. As a spokesman, Yantis facilitated hundreds of interviews with survivors and family members of the Sept. 11 Pentagon attack. Currently, Yantis serves as executive director of the Korean War National Museum in Chicago.

Chalk Award Recipients

Purple Chalk Teaching Award Recipients:

  • Dawn Cornelison, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
  • Devoney Looser, Professor, English

Blue Chalk Teaching Award Recipient:

  • Bob Flanagan, Director of Undergraduate Studies and Assistant Teaching Professor, Religious Studies

Green Chalk Teaching Award Recipients:

  • Wayne Cain, Economics
  • Allison Frey, Religious Studies
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