Indiana State University Newsroom

Eight Indiana State University professors were recognized for distinguished, teaching, service, research and community-based learning Wednesday (April 16) during the university’s Faculty Recognition Banquet. Eight others received the President’s Medal, the university’s highest award for faculty. (See related story.)

Caleb Mills Distinguished Teaching Award
Named for a 19th century educator who helped shape Indiana's public education system and served as the state's second superintendent of public instruction, this award recognizes ISU's most distinguished teachers.

The 2008 recipients are Will Barratt, associate professor of student affairs and higher education, and Frances Lattanzio, professor of art.

An Indiana State faculty member since 1984, Barratt teaches courses on student affairs, higher education, diversity, consultation, campus environments, program evaluation and leadership theory and practice. His research and consulting work focus primarily on social class on campus, information technology in student affairs, and program evaluation. During his ISU career, Barratt has served as a visiting scholar at Liaoning University in Shenyang, China and Liaoning Normal University in Dalian, China and was Holmstedt Distinguished Professor in the College of Education for 2006-07.

“‘It’s about students!’ is part of my e-mail signature because it's one of my core values as a faculty member,” Barratt said. “I am glad that my work as a teacher has been recognized and pleased that ISU has a history of recognizing excellence in graduate and undergraduate teaching. My students and colleagues are all above average and that makes the classroom an exciting place to be.”

At Indiana State since 1975, Lattanzio teaches undergraduate and graduate photography classes and serves as an advisor for undergraduate students. She previously received the Educational Excellence Award from the College of Arts and Sciences in 2006 and was named Art Educator of the Year by Arts Illiana in 2003.

“Being selected for this prestigious award is truly an honor. I am appreciative that, after 33 years, I still look forward to the start of each semester with the enthusiasm that I felt in my first years of teaching,” Lattanzio said. “I know that many individuals ��" my own teachers, colleagues, and, in particular, students ��" have contributed to this experience, and I am grateful for their support. In order to stay fresh as a teacher, I endeavor to always see myself as a student.”

Faculty Distinguished Service Award
This award recognizes distinguished service outside the classroom. Excellence in, intensity of, long-term commitment to, and tangible evidence of the impact of service are the criteria considered in selecting recipients.

This year’s recipients are Darlene Hantzis, professor of communication and women’s studies, and Steve Lamb, chair of the analytical department in the College of Business and professor of operations management and analysis.

An Indiana State graduate, Hantzis has been an ISU faculty member since 1990. In addition to her faculty position, she is coordinator of American Democracy Project activities at the university as well as the Liberal Studies Program. Her previous service to the university included director of the women’s studies program, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, co-coordinator of the Lilly Project to Transform the First-Year Experience from 1997-2002 and as a member of the university’s Affirmative Action Committee from 1990-96. She was selected as an American Council on Education Fellow in 2002-03. She is currently a member of the Leadership Wabash Valley board of directors.

“I am truly honored to be recognized by my faculty colleagues and the university as a distinguished servant in my role as faculty at Indiana State University. I am proud and humbled by the work I’ve had the opportunity to do and the positive differences I've been able to be part of making in the lives of many students and community members,” Hantzis said.

“I work in service with many dedicated faculty and I know that all distinguished work is accomplished with others; so, I am grateful to the community of service we have created here and to the amazing colleagues who also recognize the power of being of good use. I am fortunate to be able to serve though the compelling practice of education and its promise of achieving social and cultural transformation marked by social justice, equality, and compassion,” she said.

Lamb came to Indiana State in 1970. He has served as chair of the Faculty Senate for a total of four years, as vice chair a total of three times, as a Faculty Senate member 14 times since 1990 and Executive Committee member 12 times since 1993. Lamb’s work on the Faculty Senate often dealt extensively with compensation issues, utilizing his experience in salary regression studies as a research outlet. Other service to the university has included membership on a variety of search committees, the Networks Financial Institute Advisory Board from 2002 to 2007 and the University Enrollment Task Force in 2005-06. Recognizing Lamb as “an ambassador for Indiana State and the College of Business,” the college in 2007 presented him with its Faculty Recognition Award for exemplary service.

“My philosophy has always been to try to advance the academic underpinnings of the University through the voice of the faculty, and to work diligently with the administration as well, using persuasion, and compromise, without sacrificing principle, to create a positive environment in order to advance the institution. I have always tried to work in a cooperative fashion with the administration, believing strongly that very little would be accomplished if faculty were to use a confrontational approach,” Lamb said.

“Wonderful friendships born from rigorous trails were established during the years served as chair of the Faculty Senate. It was noteworthy that our success was achieved through a collaborative university effort in order to achieve a common goal. I accept this award on behalf of all colleagues who sacrificed so much for the benefit of the university,” he said.

Theodore Dreiser Distinguished Research/Creativity Award
Named for the early 20th Century author who grew up in Terre Haute, this award recognizes full-time faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to their disciplines.

The 2008 recipients are Robert Perrin, professor and chair of the department of English, and William Warfel, professor of insurance and risk management.

An Indiana State faculty member since 1981, Perrin was director of the university’s writing programs for 17 years. He has written six books on writing, research and style and has had numerous articles published in English and educational journals. His teaching includes courses in writing, grammar, editing, and contemporary rhetorical theory. He previously received the university’s Caleb Mills Distinguished Teaching Award in 1991 and was named Distinguished Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences in 1992.

"I enjoy the challenges and opportunities that writing provides; that's why I do what I do. But receiving an award for the work is, of course, a special honor that I appreciate very much,” Perrin said.

A faculty member in the ISU College of Business since 1990, Warfel has written numerous articles that have been published in professional journals and trade publications, many of which focus on insurance law and legal issues pertaining to the liability exposure. He has been retained as a testifying and consulting expert witness by insurance agents, insurance carriers and policyholders. Warfel was recently quoted in an Arizona Court of Appeals decision that has positive, far-reaching implications with the respect to the availability of affordable builder’s risk insurance for general contractors who undertake major commercial projects. Articles discussing this decision were recently published in The John Liner Review and Risk Management magazine.

Community-based Learning and Scholarship Award
This award was established in 2007 to recognize outstanding faculty who have made serving the community an integral part of their academic goals and activities through community-based learning activities and scholarship focused on community issues.

Recipients are Charles Norman, associate professor of sociology, and Tom Steiger, professor of sociology.

A faculty member since 1968, Norman has performed extensive consulting work while at Indiana State, including a Lake County governmental services study, a community needs assessment for Step Ahead/First Steps of Hendricks County, a youth needs survey for the Indiana Youth Commission and diversity training for police officers in Vigo County. His community service includes seven years on the Terre Haute Human Rights Day Steering Committee, six years on the board of directors of United Way of the Wabash Valley, four years on the advisory board of the Vigo County Public Aid Department and six years on the Wabash Valley Central Labor Council.

“Working at ISU is a privilege. The classroom is a place where knowledge and ideas are explored freely and analytical skills are sharpened; however, the experiential learning that students gain in community service projects has been the most exciting. Not only are students able to learn more about the value of their training but they are able to demonstrate to themselves and others meaningful achievements,” Norman said.

“The recognition is important to me because it reminds me of the great history and tradition; we truly stand on the shoulders of giants. Now, I know that I depend on other giants, too - the many others - each of you that help with this work. This award only has meaning in light of previous giants and all of the students and community, present and future, that Indiana State University serves.

At Indiana State since 1987, Steiger was director of the university’s Sociology Research Lab from 1999-2007. During that period, he utilized student researchers in conducting dozens of surveys on topics ranging from crime victimization and jail overcrowding to alternative education in Indiana and the economic competitiveness of the greenhouse industry in Ohio. A 2006 survey of voter preferences in Indiana’s 8th Congressional District drew national attention. He also served as associate dean for student academic affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences from 1993-1995

“I am honored to receive the Faculty Award for Community-Based Learning and Scholarship. That two sociologists are receiving the award this year says more about our discipline than us as faculty. To do sociology is to do community engagement,” Steiger said.

Writer: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu