Indiana State University Newsroom

Cunningham Memorial Library held its 25th annual Authors and Artists Reception honoring faculty and staff of Indiana State University, as well as presenting cash awards to students for outstanding papers and videos.

Richard "Biff" Williams, dean of the College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services, was the keynote speaker during the reception hosted by the Indiana State University Cunningham Memorial Library.

"‘Words are powerful,'" Williams said, quoting something his mother told him as he learned to read early in life.

Words are what many were honored for at the reception. Some were honored for works of art created and presented in 2009.

"As always, the authors and artists and their works were so impressive," said Alberta Comer, dean of the library.

Tom Sauer, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, knows the importance of recognizing the authors and artists at Indiana State University.

"Our authors make sure people know where Indiana State is," Sauer said.

As part of celebrating the 25th annual reception, the library honored the awardees from the first year, 1983. The library did not host the event for one year.

Marvin Henry, recognized in 1983 for his book "Student Teaching Supervision," which is currently in its seventh edition, said it was "nice to be remembered."

"It's refreshing to know there are scholars in our mix as well as teachers," said Henry, who was chair of the curriculum, instruction and media technology department before he retired.

The library also announced the winners of the Bakerman Student Research Award, which is awarded to one undergraduate and one graduate student who wrote well-written and well-researched papers for any class at Indiana State. Shawn Hunter, a criminology and criminal justice graduate student from Pocatello, Idaho, was awarded $1,500 for his paper. The graduate winner was. Philip Shon, associate professor of criminology and criminal justice nominated Hunter. Laurie-Ann Curry, an anthropology major from Freedom, Ind., won the undergraduate award of $1,000.

Curry, a non-traditional student was nominated by James Speer, associate professor of geography and geology.

"Finding your voice at fifty is one thing, but to find that other people are interested in what that voice has to say is quite another," Curry said. "The Bakerman Award is more than a check, more than the presentation on the 24th, and far more than the recognition. It is validation that not only have I learned a great deal here at ISU, but that even though I don't learn like the average bear, I have been richly blessed and I do have something worthwhile to contribute."

The winners of the REEL Big Video Contest, a contest the library holds annually in which students create videos based on a theme, were Bobby Lee, who took first place for $1,000, and Chad Fedler, who took second place for $500.

Lee, a junior professional aviation flight technology major from Bedford, Ind., and two of his friends, Daniel Elliott and Andrew Carboneau, both aviation majors, created the video and plan to split the money. In the video, Elliott gives Lee a tour of the library.

Fedler, a junior electronic media major from Lowell, Ind. took first place last year in the contest. He wrote the script and his friends, Jake Phillips and Dave Badger, starred in the film depicting a child and his family who have been trying to find a book hidden on ISU's campus. They find the hidden book in the library.

Those honored at this year's reception include:
Michael Elkins, assistant professor of communication, for his book, "Best Practices in Experiential and Service Learning in Communication"

Thomas Sawyer, professor of recreation and sport management, for his books, "Facility Planning and Design for Health, Physical Activity, Recreation and Sport" and "Facility Management for Physical Activity and Sport"

David Worley, chair of the communication department and professor of communication, for his book, "Best Practices in Experiential and Service Learning in Communication"

Debra Worley, professor of communication, for her book, "Best Practices in Experiential and Service Learning in Communication"

Jay Gatrell, dean of graduate programs, for his book, "Planning and Socioeconomic Applications"

Charles Roberts, professor of mathematics and computer science, for his book, "Introduction to Mathematical Proofs: A Transition"

Qihao Weng, professor of geography and geology, for his book, "Remote Sensing and GIS Integration: Theories, Methods, and Applications"

Feng-Qi Lai, associate professor of curriculum, instruction and media technology, for her book, "Mastering Computer Skills through Experiential Learning"

Todd Whitaker, professor of education leadership, administration and foundations, for his book, "Leading School Change: 9 Strategies to Bring Everybody on Board and Workbook"

Ann Chirhart, associate professor of history, for her book, "Georgia Women: Their Lives and Times"

Robert Guell, professor of economics, for his book, "Issues in Economics Today"

Isaac Land, assistant professor of history, for his book, "War, Nationalism and the British Sailor, 1750-1850"

Barbara Skinner, assistant professor of history, for her book, "The Western Front of the Church: Uniate and Orthodox Conflict in 18th Century Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia"

Matt Brennan, professor of English, for his book, "The House with the Mansard Roof"

Kit Kincade, associate professor of English, for her book, "The Old English Baron"

Robert Perrin, chair of the English department and professor of English, for his books, "Pocket Guide to APA Style 3rd ed." and "Form and Style"

Michael Shelden, professor of English, for his book, "Mark Twain: Man in White"

David Vancil, chair of the Cunningham Memorial Library's special collections department, for his book, "Moon Walking: Poetry"

David Polizzi, assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice, for his book, "Transforming Corrections: Humanistic Approaches to Corrections and Offender Treatment"

Ray Chen, assistant professor of art, for his work "Mother and Child"

Glenn Dunlap, professor of art, for his wall timeline in the Bayh College of Education

Fran Lattanzio, professor of art, for her "One-Person Show" at Halcyon Gallery

Sala Wong, assistant professor of art, for three exhibitions of her art held locally and internationally in Hong Kong, Greencastle, Ind. and Terre Haute, Ind.

Writer: Lana Schrock, media relations assistant, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, at 812-237-3773 or lschrock1@indstate.edu