ROCK bytes Best of the best Three University employees – Thom Cobb, associate professor of dance; Benjamas Jirasakuldech, associate professor School of Business; and Dixie Hogue, administrative assistant in the Office of Academic Affairs, received 2013 President Awards this spring. Cobb, who joined SRU in 1978, received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. He was honored for his dedication to teaching, his participation and engaging pedagogy, innovative classroom practices and ability to always put students first. Jirasakuldech received the President’s Award for Scholarly and Creative Achievement. The award honored her research titled “Financial disclosure, investor protection and stock market behavior; an international comparison.” Hogue, who joined SRU in 1982, received the President’s Award for Outstanding Service. She was singled out in one nomination for SRU’s highly successful Middle States Commission on Higher Education accreditation preparation. Her work was called “invaluable in making the visit appear seamless.”
Thom Cobb
Benjamas Jirasakuldech
SRU nabs ‘Healthiest Employer’ honor The Pittsburgh Business Times recently named SRU one of the “Healthiest Employers in Western Pennsylvania.” The honor illustrates the University’s health and wellness gains led by professors, students groups and Cheryl Norton, SRU president. Employers were selected based on the results of a Business Times 75-question survey. Jeff Lynn, SRU professor of exercise and rehabilitative science, Joy Urda, SRU instructor of exercise and rehabilitative sciences, and Marcia Kotek, SRU benefits and transactions manager for the Office of Human Resources, completed the survey. “Our selection for this designation should be viewed as, not just recognition for being on the right path toward wellness, but also as a catalyst to continue leading the way in terms of innovative and pioneering programming,” Lynn said.
Dixie Hogue
SRU earns community service award SRU has been named to the 2013 President’s Community Service Honor Roll by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. Laurel Dagnon, director of programming for SRU’s Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, prepared the application focusing on three of SRU’s signature programs, Up ‘til 2 fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the CareBreak Program and Veterans Programs such as SRU’s annual 9/11 commemoration.
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Spring Spring 2013 2013
SRU greens up Talk about timing. In the midst of SRU’s “Earth Days 2013,” word arrived that the University had been named by The Princeton Review as one of the 322 most environmentally responsible colleges in the U.S. and Canada. The Princeton Review, which has included SRU four consecutive years, chose the schools based on a 50-question survey. “At Slippery Rock University, we work very hard at being an environmentally engaged university and we stress rock-solid environmental stewardship. I am personally pleased that The Princeton Review has seen and recognized our efforts. It is especially pleasing this award was announced during our ‘Earth Days 2013’ celebration,” said Cheryl Norton, SRU president. The Princeton Review’s Guide to 322 Green Colleges,” is available at: www.princetonreview.com/green-guide