Pacific University Honors Faculty, Staff
Pacific University celebrated its annual Faculty & Staff Honors & Awards Ceremony on May 11, recognizing the contributions of faculty, staff and community members to the university.
Among the honors delivered were two new awards, both focused on diversity and justice.
The Kate Garrison “Overcoming the Odds” Award was named for the first known person of African-American descent to live in Forest Grove. A woman of mixed African-American and Native American heritage, Garrison’s story represents the spirit of resilience and courage in those who work to overcome obstacles of inequity. The award was presented to Yashica Island, who most recently served as director of student inclusion and success in the Pacific University College of Arts & Sciences. In her position, she worked to support disadvantaged students and demonstrated an outstanding ability to connect with and empower students. She also was pivotal in the resurgence of the Black Student Union and a member of the University Diversity Committee.
The University Diversity and Justice Award, also new at Pacific, recognizes a faculty or staff member who has engaged in sincere, active efforts to promote diversity and social justice. Alyson Burns-Glover, professor of psychology, was named the inaugural recipient for her research and publications around gender, culture and ethnic identity, her longtime work with students from Hawai‘i, and her role as advisor of the Hispanic Heritage Student Association and contributor to the Touch the Future pre-college day program.
Additional Awards
- Dedication to Students Award | Atsuko Rothberg, Office of International Programs
- Community Service Award | Forest Grove City Council Member Victoria Lowe
- University Service Award | Brad Butler, team physician
- Outstanding Leadership Award | Steve Mason, Enterprise Data Systems
- Boxer Spirit Award | Sarah Clarke, Student Health Centers
- Dr. Thomas (Tommy) Thompson Distinguished Professorship in Education | Rik Lemoncello, School of Communication Sciences & Disorders
- Story-Dondero Award for the Study of Politics & the Economy | Phil Ruder, Economics, College of Arts & Sciences, and Xiaomin Guo, College of Business
- Junior Faculty Development Award | Jana Peterson-Besse, Public Health, College of Arts & Sciences, and Ashim Malhotra, School of Pharmacy
- President’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching | Jaye Cee Whitehead, Sociology & Anthropology, College of Arts & Sciences
- President’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching | Fawzy Elbarbry, School of Pharmacy
- Faculty Achievement Award | Darlene Pagan, English, College of Arts & Sciences
- Outstanding Contribution to the University Award | Anastasia Bennett, Undergraduate Admissions
- Distinguished University Professor | Christine Guenther, Mathematics, College of Arts & Sciences
Retirements
- Martin Fischer, School of Communication Sciences & Disorders
- Sheila Griffie, College of Business
- Joe Sepulveda, Facilities Engineering
- Jim Sheedy, College of Optometry
- Alfonso Lopez-Vasquez, Office of Diversity
- Richard Rutt, School of Physical Therapy
- Sylvia Aust, Business Office
- Dave Boersema, College of Arts & Sciences