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excellence 2012 Distinguished Plymouth State University Faculty and Staff
plymouth, nh 0 3 2 6 4 plymouth.edu
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Every calling is great when greatly pursued. – Oliver Wendell Holmes
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From the President int ro d u ct io n Plymouth State University is an extraordinary regional comprehensive university, and the foundation of its excellence is wonderful people who are focused on helping students succeed. That means ďŹ rst-rate undergraduate and graduate teaching, informed by vibrant scholarship, creativity, and research, and involving genuine engagement with the community, region, and world. That means people who care about academic excellence and student achievement, about innovation, and about collaboration and partnership. That means people like those about whom you will read in Excellence. The professionals highlighted here come from departments across the campus, and they have been honored by their colleagues with University awards this year. As you meet them and read their words, you will understand the commitment and joy they bring to PSU each day. I would like to thank these award-winners for their dedication and their contributions and also welcome readers to a glimpse of the excellence that is Plymouth State University. 7
Sara Jayne Steen
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plymouth state excellence 2012
dist in g u ish ed p ro f e s s i o n a l , adm in ist rat iv e, an d te c h n i c a l ( pa t) st aff aw ard
Joyce Larson ’11g Director of Institutional Research and E=ectiveness when joyce larson was young,
search and Effectiveness, where she currently serves
she had dreams of being a doctor … and an actress.
as director. “I’ve always liked the technical report-
Those career goals may seem worlds apart, but for
ing aspect of every job I’ve had at PSU,” she says,
anyone who knows Larson, her childhood quandary
“and this was an opportunity to make it the focus of
makes perfect sense. Early on she showed an interest
my work and use it to make a positive impact.”
in and aptitude for science and math. Then in junior
Making a positive impact is something Larson
high school she was introduced to chorus and theatre
does through her work as well as her service endeav-
and was instantly hooked. “I loved the feeling of being
ors. She’s currently a member of the Fundraising and
onstage, taking on an alternate persona, and of course,
Benevolence Committee, which raises funds for stu-
getting applause at the end,” she says. “It was some-
dent scholarships, and the Welfare Committee, which
thing I had a lot of fun with.”
helps to represent the interests of professional staff
After college (where Larson combined her favorite
in matters of policy that affect them. She also served
subjects, chemistry and Asian studies, into a double
two terms as speaker for the PAT Senate and recorder
major) she began her professional career in the labs of
for the senate. “I’ve always been a get-involved kind
Merck, analyzing pharmaceuticals-in-development. “It
of person,” she says of her campus activities. “I like
was a lot of problem-solving using instrumentation and
working with people on issues and challenges, and
calculation, which is kind of my thing,” she smiles, “but
interacting with colleagues I might not ordinarily en-
I wasn’t sure working in a lab was something I wanted
counter through my work.”
to do for the rest of my career.”
Fortunately for Larson, PSU allows her to indulge
Larson did some soul-searching. “I thought about
her passion for research and data, as well as music
what I really believed in,” she says, “and it was edu-
and theatre. For the past 12 summers, she’s been per-
cation—specifically higher education, which allows
forming with the New Hampshire Music Festival
people to grow intellectually and improve themselves
choir. “It’s an incredible experience and a privilege
and their lives.”
to be part of it,” she says. And she puts her theatre
Inspired by this realization, Larson pursued work
background to good use regularly. “It gave me the
in college admissions, eventually accepting a posi-
confidence to lead meetings, make presentations,
tion in Plymouth State’s Office of Admission in 2000.
and address large groups of people,” says Larson,
Since then, she has held various positions within
who is known on campus for her quick wit, self-dep-
PSU, including admissions representative, admis-
recating humor, and cheerful disposition.
sions information technologist, and registrar—each
Larson’s career thus far just goes to show how
role offering her new challenges and opportunities
right she was years ago: Higher education does indeed
to cultivate her interests in technology, research, and
allow people to grow intellectually and improve them-
supporting students. In 2011, just after earning her
selves and their lives, whether they are students or
MEd in Educational Leadership from PSU, Larson
among the many whose work supports students. 7
accepted a position in the Office of Institutional Re-
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“I like working with people on issues and challenges,
and interacting with colleagues I might not normally encounter
through my work.” — joyce larson
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plymouth state excellence 2012
awar d f o r ex celle n c e i n f a c ul ty s e r v i c e
John Krueckeberg Professor of History “i like to think of the past as a series of futures.”
One of Krueckeberg’s most ambitious projects has been working with PSU geography professor
Coming from a history professor, that statement
Patrick May to bring National History Day to New
makes a listener pause and think. Which is exactly
Hampshire. The state was one of only two in the
what John Krueckeberg wants. “At any point in his-
nation that didn’t participate in the history educa-
tory, there was the potential for many different
tion program for middle and high school students.
futures. Some happened, and some didn’t. Why?” Ex-
The pair began working with schools across the state
amining history from that perspective, he says, allows
and launched the program in 2002; this year, they
us to understand one fundamental—and exciting—
reached a milestone of having more than 1,000
premise: “History doesn’t just happen. People make
students from every region of New Hampshire par-
history.”
ticipate in NHD activities. PSU hosts the statewide
As a teacher, Krueckeberg says, his primary goal is “to make all students historians.” Rather than sim-
competition each year, and winners go on to the national competition in Washington, DC.
ply memorize dates, students are encouraged to
“ We decided it was something we really wanted
interpret a historical document and put it into con-
to do, and it was important for the state,” he says.
text. “I try to get students to wear the shoes of the
“The program is phenomenal for getting students to
people we’re talking about.”
be historians.” Students must form a thesis, conduct
Krueckeberg describes history as an interdisciplinary field, which is fitting: he also serves as chair
research, interpret their findings, and defend their project to a panel of judges.
of PSU’s Interdisciplinary Studies Council, advising
“It promotes higher-ordered thinking,” Kruecke-
students who want to combine two or more different
berg says. In fact, a 2011 evaluation of National History
subjects into a program of study. He believes that in-
Day found that students who participate outperform
terdisciplinary studies and history equip students to
their non-NHD peers on standardized tests in read-
be better critical thinkers and better citizens—an im-
ing, science, and math, as well as social studies. “I’m
portant point for an individual who has a strong
convinced that it’s because history is such an inter-
commitment to service.
disciplinary field. We’re getting students to think
“I’m committed to my communities,” he says.
critically. The program is doing important service
Krueckeberg serves on his church council and was a
for New Hampshire students, who will be better
member of the Plymouth Planning Board for a
equipped graduates and more engaged citizens.”
decade. Beyond teaching, he works in many ways to
It’s hard work to be involved in so many outreach
help improve history education across the state and
efforts: “I feel like I have a very full life,” Krueckeberg
beyond: he has reviewed Teaching American History
says, “but I like to put my money where my mouth is.
grants for the US Department of Education, con-
“An important part of our existence as a univer-
sulted on New Hampshire social studies standards,
sity is serving our community. I really couldn’t have
and serves as the state coordinator for the Gilder
done what I do without the support of my colleagues.
Lehrman Institute of American History’s History
Ut prosim (That I may serve) is our motto, and I’m
Teacher of the Year award.
happy to be in a place that values service so highly.” 7
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“… I’m happy to be in a place that values
service so highly.” — john krueckeberg
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plymouth state excellence 2012
dist in g u ish ed g ra d ua te te a c h i n g a w a r d
Kathleen Norris Professor of Educational Leadership kathleen norris has lived in
program. The process yielded a revelation that al-
cities all over the world, taught Eskimo students in
tered the course of her career. “I discovered the field
the Alaskan Bush, taught English as a second lan-
of program evaluation, which seemed to me to bring
guage in Japan, been a high school English teacher
the best of applied research and evaluation method-
and administrator, and even earned certification in
ology together,” she says.
permaculture design. She also holds an MFA in cre-
After earning her doctorate in educational lead-
ative writing and is a published poet and essayist. All
ership, Norris began teaching research design
of this, Norris contends, has contributed to the edu-
courses at PSU. Now, as coordinator of the EdD pro-
cator she is today. “I’ve had a wonderful set of life
gram, Norris dedicates much of her time mentoring
experiences that I’ve been able to draw from,” she
doctoral students as they conduct research. “Be-
says. “They all contribute to the whole.”
cause of the interdisciplinary nature of our doctoral
As a professor of educational leadership, Norris
program,” Norris says, “candidates conduct research
teaches graduate courses in research design, quali-
in a range of subject areas and work with institutions
tative research, research methodology, program
of higher education, international schools, human
evaluation, and assessment—topics that can seem
service agencies, and New Hampshire school envi-
daunting to even the highest achieving students. “I
ronments.” Recently, she and some of her students
appreciate being able to teach challenging courses
completed a research project with a North Country
and make the material accessible to my students,”
non-profit agency. “Doing research to provide serv-
she says.
ice creates opportunities for our students as well as
Norris became interested in research and assess-
our community. The service aspect of research is par-
ment as a high school teacher, when she often saw
ticularly energizing, and our students know they are
initiatives launched without the research to support
making a contribution,” she says.
them. “The initiatives had more to do with the super-
While Norris is grateful for all of her experiences
intendent’s last conference or the latest trend in
in her life and career thus far, she feels particularly
education than what the students actually needed,”
fortunate to be working with adult learners at this
she recalls. So when she was given the opportunity to
time in her life. “I have so much more patience and
overhaul her school’s English curriculum, she says,
compassion, and more concern for the whole stu-
“my inclination was to do a lot of research into what
dent, with each passing term,” she says. “I’ve really
the students needed, to develop a curriculum with a
found my niche teaching graduate students. I’ve
highly integrated and challenging knowledge base.”
found my bliss.” 7
For her doctoral project, Norris—then a high school administrator as well as a teacher—evaluated the effectiveness of her school’s 9th grade transition
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“I’ve really
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I’ve found my bliss.” — kathleen norris
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plymouth state excellence 2012
pat ricia s t o rer p a t ( pr o f e s s i o n a l , adm in ist rat iv e, an d te c h n i c a l st aff ) aw ard
Ann Thurston ’80, ’00g, ’07cags Associate Vice President for Academic Administration and Finance if home is where the heart is,
Travel plays an important role in Thurston’s life.
Ann Thurston has definitely found her home at Ply-
Bringing together her Spanish major and history
mouth State University.
minor, Thurston recently completed El Camino del
Thurston was raised in Vermont and New Hamp-
Santiago (the Way of Saint James), a walk across Eu-
shire, moving too frequently for her liking. Her
rope to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, which has
dream was to find the right place for her to stay. For
been made by pilgrims for over a thousand years.
Thurston, that place is Plymouth State. When she ar-
“ We walked through small towns and villages in the
rived at the age of 17, “I didn’t understand the value
Spanish countryside,” Thurston said in a presenta-
of a degree,” Thurston recalls. But her mother, who
tion to the PSU community. “A woman called to us
had finished her own degree while raising three chil-
from a doorway to tell us we had wandered off the
dren, certainly did and brought Ann to visit Plymouth
path. Another woman shouted from her balcony and
State. She’s been here ever since. And she’s learned
gestured for us to turn around. People who live along
the value of a degree, or in her case, three of them.
the Way feel a responsibility to take care of pilgrims;
Thurston is humbled to receive the Patricia Storer
to keep us on the Way. No one can walk the Way for
PAT Award, named for a beloved Plymouth State em-
you, but you do not walk alone.” She continues, “The
ployee whose career was similar to Thurston’s in
Way is a metaphor for the journey of life, and it par-
many ways, and for whom Thurston had great re-
allels our students’ journey at PSU. Here they are
spect. Like Pat Storer, Thurston had held many
with their travelling companions at the start of their
positions on campus. She started by working in Lam-
journey. No one can do their work for them, but they
son Library, served as manager of campus services,
are not alone. We, all of us, are their guides; we sup-
and then as bursar. Today she is associate vice pres-
port them on their journey. Each of us plays a
ident for academic administration and finance. “I get
different role and we all contribute, helping them to
to work with really fantastic people,” she says. “I have
reach their final destination.”
the opportunity to participate in the life of the Uni-
As much as she loves to travel, Thurston loves to
versity through supporting our students and faculty.”
come home even more. “Living in a university town
Thurston’s work covers every facet of Plymouth State
provides so many opportunities,” she says. “Music,
University, from working with department chairs, to
theatre, the Medieval Forum, Sidore lectures—there’s
the registrar’s office, to the Office of Sponsored Pro-
always something happening, almost every night. I
grams. “I don’t really know where any day will take
count my blessings every day. My glass is always half
me,” she says. She particularly enjoys faculty re-
full.” 7
search presentations and the enthusiasm PSU faculty members show for their work. “I can’t take any credit for it,” she says with a laugh, “but I can share in it. We have some really great people.”
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“I have the opportunity to participate in the life of the University through supporting
our students and faculty.” — ann thurston
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plymouth state excellence 2012
dist in g u ish ed o p e r a ti n g s ta f f a w a r d
Mary Washburn Administrative Assistant, Department of Psychology “if you have good people skills,
In addition to keeping the psychology depart-
you don’t have to be the most brilliant person in the
ment happy (she was famous for plying students and
room,” Mary Washburn says. Kindness, being polite,
faculty with home-baked cookies), Washburn men-
and helping people are the qualities Washburn, who
tored young girls through Plymouth’s nonprofit Circle
retired in June, believes her position as administra-
Program. She calls the relationships she formed with
tive assistant in the psychology department was all
“her” girls over the years “a perfect fit.” They went to
about. As a mother of two, she instilled the same phi-
concerts at PSU and the local high school, made sea-
losophy in her now-grown children: “I don’t care if
sonal crafts, spent time outdoors, and baked. “I
you’re a straight-A student; I want you to be able to
always made sure the girls had something to bring
get along with people because that’s what’s going to
home to their families,” Washburn says. She encour-
take you the distance.”
ages everyone to be a mentor: “One-on-one with a
Lest you think Washburn is anything less than brilliant, rest assured; in addition to her good people
special little girl … It doesn’t get any better than that. It’s really magical.”
skills she is also one bright “old girl,” as she calls her-
Mary Washburn’s own mother, whom she de-
self. In 1996, at age 51, she graduated from Smith
scribes as a “grand Irish lady from Boston,” gave
College as an Ada Comstock (non-traditional) Scholar.
Washburn her greatest gift, a piece of advice: “No
And every fall since she was hired at Plymouth State 13
matter what, don’t give up, don’t give in. You have to
years ago, Washburn has audited a course, from his-
keep going forward.” Washburn has always taken this
tory to anthropology, sociology to English, and most
advice to heart. When she wanted to further her ed-
recently, criminal justice. She likes to quote actress
ucation, she didn’t let her age or distance from her
Helen Hayes: “If you rest, you rust.”
chosen college stop her. And when she met a fellow
As administrative assistant, Washburn played a
she liked three years ago, she didn’t wait around for
role larger than her official job description. “I wanted
him to ask her out. She took the initiative and asked
to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable
him herself.
when they were in the office,” she says. Occasionally
When asked why she decided to retire, Washburn
students came in angry or upset, even crying. “ You
says, “I always said I wanted to go out at the top of
need to know how to take them from that level down
my game … it’s time to make room for a younger per-
to a calmer one,” she says. As for the practical aspects
son. And I want to have fun.” For her, this includes
of her position, Washburn believes the accuracy and
kayaking, taking classes, spending time with family
organizational skills she honed in her earlier career
and friends (including her other half, George), and
as a legal secretary for the Boston US Attorney’s office
exploring new places. That’s Mary Washburn, always
have served her well. “ You just have to know how to
going forward. 7
juggle and prioritize,” she says. “Keep everybody happy, keep the machines going, keep the budget.”
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“I wanted to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable
when they were in the o;ce.” — mary washburn
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plymouth state excellence 2012
dist in g u ish ed ad jun c t te a c h i n g a w a r d
Annie Hager Adjunct Faculty, Department of Mathematics “for many of my students, math
A garden of tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, and
anxiety is a major impediment to their understanding,”
zinnias is growing in the large, sunny windows of her
Annie Hager says of the students in her Mathematics
office in Hyde Hall—a perfect greenhouse. Hager
and the Humanities class. “But my students are good,
shares the office with other adjunct instructors, who
even brilliant, at other things. I have seen them excel
are amused by her little office garden. “They just
at athletics, or in music, or on the stage. They are
laugh at me,” she says. “They’re very tolerant of me.”
young artists, or philosophers, or writers. They are
When the time comes to plant the seedlings outside,
unique individuals with a large capacity for knowl-
Hager’s garden will be another opportunity to apply
edge, and over the course of a semester, we all end
mathematics to daily life. “How to lay out a garden,
up learning from one another.”
when to plant, when to harvest—it’s all very scientific
Hager is fascinated by all the ways math is at work
and mathematical,” she says, “but it’s also very real.”
in the world—in art, music, nature, philosophy—and
After graduating from St. Paul’s School in Con-
shares that fascination with her students. Lectures,
cord, Hager earned her BS in biology from Stanford
animations, games, and group activities all provide
University, then came back east for an MS in forestry
different approaches to understanding, along with
from the University of Maine at Orono. In Vermont,
opportunity for practice and extra help. Hager says,
she discovered a love for teaching when Killington
“I emphasize on that very first stressful day of class
Mountain School needed a science teacher. Today,
that it is important to reach out to one another, to ask
she and her husband, Stephen Murray, live in Ply-
for help, and to give help to others.” Attendance in
mouth with their son, Silas, and daughter, Sophie.
her classes is excellent, and she consistently hears
At PSU, Hager also teaches Statistical Literacy and
her students say, “This is the first math class I’ve ever
first year seminars on topics like “Is Popular Culture
enjoyed coming to!”
Making Us Smarter?” and “Are Cell Phones Destroying
Hager finds math in her life as well as her teach-
Civilized Society?” She’s also pursuing her CAGS in
ing. She discovered the importance of mathematical
educational leadership. But her heart will always be
accuracy when making her very first quilt, using a
with Mathematics and the Humanities, and the op-
square template she’d been given that was off by an
portunity it brings to open students’ eyes to a subject
eighth of an inch. In the end, nothing fit. Today, her
many find intimidating. “It’s not just a bunch of equa-
intricate, nature-themed quilts are recognized all
tions,” Hager says. “It’s fun to show people that math
over the region. Using curved shapes and multiple
has a very practical, rich side to it.” 7
colors and fabrics, Hager brings the pieces together into a beautiful whole with geometric precision.
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“[My students] are unique individuals with a large capacity for knowledge … we all end up
learning from one another.” — annie hager
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plymouth state excellence 2012
d is t i n gui s he d tea c h ing a wa rd Kathleen Arecchi Professor of Music professor kathleen arecchi’s
mine is a one-on-one teaching environment,” Arecchi
first experience with teaching came in 8th grade
says. Each lesson or rehearsal provides opportunities
home economics, when a student from Germany ar-
for her to help her students understand the scope of
rived in class unable to speak or understand English.
their own vocal and musical potential, recognize the
Arecchi was assigned to teach the student the Eng-
high level of personal effort that is required to develop
lish words associated with cooking. “I was left on my
their potential, and become fully confident in their
own to devise ways to do this,” she recalls. “I ab-
abilities as singers and future teachers. “I love the
solutely loved the creative aspect of this assignment,
challenges inherent in achieving these goals with
and to some degree it was prophetic.”
each student,” she says. “The most rewarding mo-
The teacher-by-proxy went on to study French,
ments for me as a teacher come when singers
and then vocal performance, ultimately earning a
suddenly recognize dimensions to their talent they
Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Mary-
didn’t realize were there, or when after long weeks of
land. “I hadn’t thought about an academic career; I
work, they suddenly sing a difficult song or aria as if
wanted to perform,” she remembers. And that is what
it was the easiest piece of music ever written, or when
she did, initially. But she also remembers a nun in
they exceed everyone’s expectations. I’ve been known
her Catholic school taking her aside during her soph-
to jump right out of my chair when that happens.”
omore year and telling her she hoped she’d earn a
As her students have gone on to graduate school
doctorate one day. “At a reunion many years later, I
or to professional lives in performance or voice teach-
enjoyed telling her I was completing my doctorate,”
ing, Arecchi has learned that her teaching role doesn’t
Arecchi says.
end with their graduation, that ongoing mentorship is
After earning her doctorate, Arecchi was enjoying
critical to their future success. “No one can do this
an active performance career and raising a young
alone,” she says. “My teaching life today is full of enor-
daughter when she saw an ad for an interim teaching
mously rewarding interactions with my current crop
position at Plymouth State. After securing the job,
of talented undergraduate students, as well as with
teaching four voice students one day a week the first
guiding and mentoring those who have graduated.”
year, and three days a week the following year, a full-
Balancing her teaching with her regular per-
time job offer followed, as did a move. Today, she is
forming is a challenge, but one Arecchi says is well
coordinator of the Voice Performance Studies program
worth the effort. “I have a wonderful work life that is
in the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance.
filled with the music of Mozart, Puccini, and Bern-
Some of Arecchi’s students aspire to professional singing and acting careers, others hope to become
stein, and daily interactions with talented and motivated students.” 7
studio teachers themselves, and many want to teach music in public or private schools. “I am afforded a special opportunity to celebrate the uniqueness of every individual I teach, because
Plymouth State University 2012 Excellence booklet: 20 pages plus cover. Final folded artwork measures 7.0 inches wide
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plymouth state excellence 2012
awar d f o r d is t in g ui s h e d s c h o l a r s h i p
Christopher Chabot Professor of Biology in the lab or at the ocean,
boards of two peer-reviewed journals and on multi-
it’s all about collaboration for Chris Chabot. That in-
ple National Science Foundation review panels.
teraction with other scientists and with students
The New Hampshire IDeA Network of Biomedical Ex-
engaged in research at the undergraduate and grad-
cellence (INBRE), a National Institute of Health
uate level is essential to the quality and scope of
(NIH)-funded project, recognized his collaborative
Chabot’s investigations into the biological rhythms
approach when they asked him to assume a leader-
of animals.
ship role working with 15 principal investigators
Chabot’s interest in science dates back to his
throughout the state at eight different institutions.
youth. “I always liked to try to figure out what made
Chabot’s dedication to collaboration is also evi-
things work,” he says. “I was encouraged by my
dent in the classroom. “My goal is to get my students
parents and by my high school biology teacher—his
to tap into their sense of wonder and questioning,”
enthusiasm inspired mine. A lot of us in this small
Chabot says. “I try to help them develop their ques-
high school in Cumberland, Maine, went on to biol-
tions and then come up with ways to attempt to
ogy careers. He instilled a sense of wonder and
answer them.”
interest.”
Over the years, Chabot has developed expertise in
He also discovered his enthusiasm for collabora-
writing successful grant proposals to fund “original,
tion in school. “I had a buddy in high school and
novel, and impactful” biological research, including
college who also loved biology,” he says. “ We fed off
undergraduate research assistantships. It’s impor-
each other’s interests. It’s the same today, collabo-
tant to Chabot that his students have the opportunity
rating with my students and other scientists.”
to do actual research, not just read about the research
Growing up along the coast, he was familiar with
of other scientists. “It gives our students a chance to
horseshoe crabs, lobsters, and other marine life. They
do original research with a professor.” His students
became his subjects as he developed his study of cir-
present and publish their findings to a degree that is
cadian rhythms in animals. “I was interested in the
rarely found at the undergraduate level.
importance of time to organisms—an area that had
While Chabot is honored to receive the Award for
long been overlooked. Physiology and behavior can
Distinguished Scholarship, he emphasizes that he is
be so different within a 24-hour period—it’s like two
very much part of a team. “This has been such a col-
different animals: night and day.” He is particularly
laborative experience,” he says. “I couldn’t have
fascinated with how circadian timing interacts with
done any of it without my colleagues, my students,
tidal timing, and how these creatures survive and re-
and my family. I have benefitted so much from all
produce in the face of a changing environment.
these people.” 7
Chabot has gained a national reputation in the field of biological rhythms, publishing 20 articles based on his original research, co-editing a volume of Current Zoology, and serving on the editorial
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“My goal is to get my students to
tap into their sense of wonder and questioning.” — christopher chabot
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plymouth state excellence 2012
sara j ayn e st een o pe r a ti n g st aff service aw ar d
Angela Torsey Program Support Assistant, Financial Aid for many college students,
education, such as scholarship opportunities they
approaching the financial aid office can seem con-
might not have known existed.
fusing, even intimidating. Until they meet someone
Her work is not without its challenges, however.
like Angela Torsey. With her caring demeanor and
“Sometimes students have no idea why they’re at the
warm smile, Torsey, who grew up in nearby Went-
financial aid window,” says Torsey. Their parents tell
worth, helps Plymouth State University students
them to go to the financial aid office, and they do, but
make their way through the labyrinth of funding their
without really understanding what they are supposed to do when they get there. “ You have to be a little bit
education. As a mother of a middle schooler and a newborn,
of a detective,” as Torsey puts it, to find out what the
empathy and patience are two of Torsey’s watch-
students really need, then walk them through the
words, which is why she is well-known for her
process. “The most important thing to me is that they
excellent customer service. “Good service is very im-
know they can come to us at any time.”
portant, because that’s what we’re all about,” she
Torsey also serves students by holding $MART
says. That means staying helpful and cheerful, as well
($tudents’ Monetary Awareness and Responsibility
as knowledgeable and professional, no matter how
Today) meetings with them. She meets with students
busy the Financial Aid Team is with budgets, FAFSA
one-to-one to create personalized recommendations
reports, and all the complexities that go along
for funding their education and keeping loan debt
with understanding and meeting the intricate re-
down as much as possible. Then she follows up with
quirements of financial aid in a higher education
students over multiple sessions, keeping in touch and
environment. Even during the busiest time of the
helping them navigate each stage of the financial aid
year, when incoming students are calling with ques-
process. While $MART meetings are open to students
tions and returning students are dropping by with
at any point in their university careers, Torsey says it’s
more questions, she is always ready to put the stu-
the juniors and seniors who keep her busiest.
dents’ needs first.
Torsey not only enjoys her work, but she also en-
Torsey points out that she often meets students
joys those she works with. Her colleagues on the
and their families at a stressful time, especially since
Financial Aid Team are “a great group of individuals,”
recent cuts to federal financial aid programs have
she says, calling them “entertaining, hardworking,
changed some financial aid packages in unantici-
and dedicated.” But most of all, she enjoys her inter-
pated ways. “Families just want the best for their son
actions with the students. “I love to be able to help
or daughter, and to make it possible for them to go
students reach their goal of going to school,” she
to Plymouth State,” she says. Torsey works with stu-
says. “It’s the best.” 7
dents and their parents to figure out their best financial aid options. She can often help them find creative solutions to meeting the cost of a university
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to help students reach their
goal of going to school …” — angela torsey
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wri t i ng Marcia Santore Barbra Alan Emilie Coulter Elizabeth Cheney ’89, ’99G Jennifer Philion
p h o t o graphy Jon Gilbert Fox
p ri nti ng Tylergraphics, Laconia, NH
d e s i g n an d prod u ction Clay Dingman, Barking Cat Productions Communications Design
Plymouth State University 2012 Excellence booklet: 20 pages plus cover. Final folded artwork measures 7.0 inches wide by 10.50 inches tall. Prints four-color process throughout and bleeds all four sides. Page 20.
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Every calling is great when greatly pursued. – Oliver Wendell Holmes
Plymouth State University 2012 Excellence booklet: 20 pages plus cover. Final folded artwork measures 7.0 inches wide by 10.50 inches tall. Prints PMS 411 (gray) and PMS 129 (orange) and bleeds all four sides. Covers II and III.
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excellence 2012 Distinguished Plymouth State University Faculty and Staff
plymouth, nh 0 3 2 6 4 plymouth.edu
Plymouth State University 2012 Excellence booklet: 20 pages plus cover. Final folded artwork measures 7.0 inches wide by 10.50 inches tall. Prints PMS 411 (gray) and PMS 129 (orange) and bleeds all four sides. Covers IV and I.