Three highly regarded faculty members will lead the Provost’s Awards for Excellence Symposium on Thursday, March 2.
A reception for professors Mariappan Jawaharlal (Jawa), Jeffery Scott Mio and Craig LaMunyon, recipients of the 2015-16 Provost’s Awards for Excellence, will start at 3 p.m. in the Bronco Student Center’s Ursa Major suite. The symposium will run from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Jawa, a mechanical engineering professor, earned the Excellence in Teaching award. He practices a hands-on, guided discovery approach to help students learn. Jawa was instrumental in creating the Femineer program recognized by the White House for increasing educational outcomes and opportunities for female Hispanic K-12 students, and is a pioneer in developing engaging online videos for hard-to-learn concepts in the STEM fields.
A professor in the psychology and sociology department, Mio received the Excellence in Service award. He serves at the department and university level, with particular contributions to the Asian Pacific Faculty, Staff & Student Association. On the national and local levels, he has contributed to the American Psychological Association and the Asian American Psychological Association, and was president of the Media Action Network for Asian Americans, a watchdog group.
LaMunyon, a professor and chair of the biological sciences department, garnered the Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activities award. He has developed a nationally recognized research program on various aspects of biology, from the evolution of sexuality and the mechanisms of vitamin transport to the genetics of sperm development. LaMunyon has obtained $2.7 million in grants to support his research on improving the human condition.
The awardees will discuss why their scholarly work invigorates and inspires them. They also will reflect on the transformative effect their work has had on students and society.
The Provost’s Awards for Excellence, which is in its sixth year, were developed to recognize faculty members who have earned distinction in the areas of teaching, scholarship and creative activities, and service. The awards are made possibly by a grant from the $42 million Kellogg Legacy Project Endowment.
For more information, contact Diane Gonzalez in the Provost’s Office at dianeg@cpp.edu or call (909) 869-4051. RSVP to attend the symposium.