The University of Oregon Graduate School has announced the recipients of its annual Excellence Awards, which are given to two faculty members and one staff person who have shown dedication and leadership in supporting graduate students and education.
Lara Bovilsky, an associate professor of English, will receive the Excellence Award for Directors of Graduate Studies; Kari Marie Norgaard, an associate professor of sociology and environmental studies, will receive the Excellence Award for Outstanding Mentorship in Graduate Studies; and Hillary Nadeau, graduate counselor in counseling psychology and couples and family therapy, will receive the Excellence Award for Graduate Coordinators.
The three will be honored during the spring meeting of directors of graduate studies on Tuesday, June 4.
The Graduate School developed the awards beginning in 2011 to recognize the good work of faculty and staff who lead and manage graduate programs. The awards were intended to identify and spotlight best practices for enhancing the overall quality of graduate education at the UO.
"The UO's best graduate programs have certain qualities in common: faculty who mentor their students thoughtfully and comprehensively, program directors who constantly strive to improve graduate training, and program coordinators who meld superb organizational skills with a welcoming presence,” said Mia Tuan, associate dean of the graduate school and a member of the excellence awards selection committee.
“The graduate school created the excellence awards to recognize the crucial work, dedication and devotion of our colleagues in advancing graduate education."
Bovilsky, who has served as director of graduate studies for the department of English since 2011, was recognized for her innovative and energetic approach.
Colleague Karen Ford wrote in her nomination letter that Bovilsky “has brought a new vision of graduate studies and an unprecedented commitment to involving graduate students in the administration of the program to us, innovations that have improved life in the master’s and doctoral programs for both students and faculty.”
Norgaard, who serves on the faculty of both the sociology and environmental studies departments, has distinguished herself through powerful mentoring of students in both departments. Norgaard was cited for being generous and effective in researching responses to climate change and in her mentorship of others.
Nadeau, who has been the graduate coordinator for both the counseling psychology and couples and family therapy programs for the past five years, is known as a staunch advocate for graduate students and a behind-the-scenes contributor to their success. She was recognized for having a calm, welcoming demeanor and superb organizational skills.
- from the UO Graduate School