Awards and Accolades

Awards and Accolades

By Shannon StrongUniversity Relations - Communications
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Karletta Chief
Karletta Chief
David Allen
David Allen
Naomi Rance
Naomi Rance
Patrick Lyons
Patrick Lyons
Jeannie Lee
Jeannie Lee
Students study between classes at the UA College of Nursing.
Students study between classes at the UA College of Nursing.
Randall Richardson
Randall Richardson
Maggy Zanger
Maggy Zanger
Allison Vaillancourt accepts the Toastmasters Corporate Recognition Award on behalf of the University.
Allison Vaillancourt accepts the Toastmasters Corporate Recognition Award on behalf of the University.

Congratulations to these recently honored University employees and programs.

Karletta Chief Receives 'Native American 40 Under 40' Award

Karletta Chief, assistant professor and extension specialist in the UA Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, has been named among the "Native American 40 Under 40" by the National Center for American Enterprise Development. The honor recognizes young leaders who have shown leadership, initiative and dedication and made significant contributions in business and their community. Chief's research focuses on watershed hydrology, arid environments and how indigenous communities will be affected by climate change. She works to bring relevant science to Native American communities in a culturally sensitive manner by providing hydrology expertise, transferring knowledge, assessing information needs and developing applied science projects. The 40 Under 40 honorees were celebrated during the 40th annual Indian Progress in Business Awards Gala held in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

David Allen Named Technology Leader of the Year

David Allen, Tech Launch Arizona vice president, was recognized as the Technology Leader of the Year for Southern Arizona by the Arizona Technology Council. Allen was recognized at the third annual Southern Arizona Tech and Business Expo at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Resort for his leadership of Tech Launch Arizona and his work on technology commercialization related research. Allen works with Tech Launch Arizona to create social and economic impact by taking UA inventions from the lab and growing them into new products and businesses.

Dr. Naomi Rance Named College of Medicine – Tucson's 2015 Founders Day Honoree

Dr. Naomi Rance, professor and associate chair of the Department of Pathology, has been named the UA College of Medicine – Tucson's Founders Day honoree for her contributions to teaching and research that have enhanced understanding of the biology of menopause. As honoree, Rance gave the Founders Day lecture "Reproductive Aging and the Human Hypothalamus: From LH Pulses to Hot Flushes." Each year, a well-established and nationally recognized UA faculty member is honored and asked to deliver the Founders Day lecture. The lectureship was established in 1979 to commemorate the founding of the UA College of Medicine and to recognize and honor the college's faculty for their scientific accomplishments.

State Museum Director Appointed to NAGPRA Review Committee

Patrick D. Lyons, director of the Arizona State Museum, has been appointed to the National Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee. The committee members are chosen by the Secretary of the Interior from nominations by American Indian tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, traditional Native American religious leaders, national museum organizations and scientific organizations. The committee is responsible for monitoring the NAGPRA inventory and identification process, making annual reports to Congress and hearing disputes on factual matters to resolve repatriation issues. Lyons will serve with six other appointed members for a four-year term as a Special Government Employee. 

Jeannie K. Lee Named Geriatrician of the Year

Jeannie K. Lee, assistant head and associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science at the UA College of Pharmacy, has been named the 2015 Geriatrician of the Year. The Arizona Geriatrics Society, or AzGS, honors an exemplary and outstanding health care professional each year. This year the AzGS recognized Lee for her work as a mentor to pharmacists, student pharmacists and others, including medical, public health, social work and nursing students. Lee was also recognized for her significant contributions to the field of geriatric medicine. She has published numerous research articles and has presented her work on a geriatric curriculum guide for pharmacy schools and training programs at the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists national conference. 

UA College of Nursing Ranked No. 1 in Arizona for Program Outcomes

The Arizona State Board of Nursing ranked the UA College of Nursing No. 1 in the state for its program outcomes. The Arizona State Board used the Arizona Nursing Program Outcome Index to determine the ranking. The index includes 38 nursing schools statewide and is based on registered nurse licensure and graduation rates for the 2014 calendar year. Last year, UA nursing students' first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses was 95 percent, compared to 89.99 percent statewide and 81.79 percent nationally. The graduation rate was significantly higher as well. UA nursing students' on-time graduation rate was 93 percent, while the state average was only 66 percent.

Randall Richardson Elected President of NAGT

Randall Richardson, professor in the UA Department of Geosciences, is the newly elected president of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers. Richardson and five others were welcomed as new NAGT officers during the 2015 Geological Society of America annual meeting earlier this month. Richardson is recognized for his current activities, including curricular reform at the university level and service at the national level. He has taught in the UA Department of Geosciences since 1978 and has held multiple positions in the UA's Office of Undergraduate Education, including vice president.

Maggy Zanger Receives UA Global Excellence Award

The UA Global Excellence Awards, given by the UA Global Initiatives and the UA Center for English as a Second Language, were presented this month to three individuals who had a substantial impact in the areas of international service or education. Maggy Zanger, professor in the UA School of Journalism, received the Excellence in Global Service award. Since coming to the UA in 2005, Zanger has worked to internationalize the UA experience through border reporting curriculum and the development of dual master programs and study abroad programs in the School of Journalism. The Student Award for Global Excellence was presented to Adrian Arroyo Perez, UA doctoral student in educational policy studies and practice in the College of Education, who was recognized for helping to grow and diversify Latin American undergraduate summer research. The Excellence in Global Education award went to Ricardo Castro-Salazar, vice president of international development at Pima Community College, for his efforts to create international educational opportunities.

UA Receives Toastmasters Corporate Recognition Award  

The UA received the Toastmasters Corporate Recognition Award for its continued support and encouragement of six Toastmasters Clubs on campus. The award was presented by Ede Ferrari D’Angelo, Region 10 international director of Toastmasters, during a meeting hosted by the University’s Facilities Management Toastmasters Club. The UA Toastmasters Clubs focus on public speaking and leadership development for faculty, staff, students and other campus community members. Allison Vaillancourt, vice president of institutional effectiveness and human resources, accepted the award on behalf of the University.

We want to know about your good news. If you, your department or a colleague have won any major awards, been honored nationally or internationally, or accomplished some other major feat that deserves recognition, let us know about it.

To submit your news, please send us an email with the following information:

  • Name of the person or team receiving the honor.
  • Name of the organization granting the honor.
  • A description of the honor.
  • When the honor was announced and when it will be presented (or was presented).
  • A photo of the honoree. If others appear in the photo, please provide their names and affiliations.

Questions? Contact Alexis Blue at 626-4386 or ablue@email.arizona.edu.

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