Faculty Award for Outstanding Contributions to International Education:
Richard Demingis described by a colleague as a “Champion in organizing and promoting international and exchange education.” When he was in the Faculty Senate, he demonstrated this by passing a resolution to incorporate international components into the curriculum in all disciplines. His career- long focus has been on scholarly exchanges between his university and universities in Southeast Asia. He has also taught in Ecuador and Thailand.
He is also noted for regularly hosting visiting scholars and students in his home, providing the warmth of family life to foreign scholars as well as guidance and support in their intellectual endeavors.
As professor of chemistry, one of his research interests is environmental chemistry of tropical ecosystems: chromatography and spectroscopy. This means that the content of his work and research as well as the manner in which he conducts it will benefit the global community.
In addition, he communicates through the universal language of music as a professional level pianist.
Nominated by: John Hickok,Beta Chapter, California State University, Fullerton
Edward S. Blankenship Outstanding Staff Award:
Norma Georgein addition to her scholarly research and teaching of both French and Spanish language and culture courses, has promoted international exchanges at her campus and beyond. She has brought scholars from Turkey, the Cameroon, the Caribbean and more to Cheney to share cultural experiences with her students and has sought funding to enable her students to travel and study abroad.
She has made faculty and students aware of the many opportunities available to travel and learn as the advisor for the Fulbright, Boren and Gilman scholarships for study abroad, the Charles Rangel International Affairs fellowship and summer enrichment programs, the Institute for International Public Policy Fellowship, the Thomas Pickering fellowship for International Affairs and US State Department programs among others. She has written and secured grants to promote exchanges with universities. She headed a task force to review international recruitment and retention practices and make recommendations for streamlining and expanding services for international students. The provost appointed Professor George “in recognition of her passionate support for international programs.”
She also sponsors study abroad fairs and workshops and organized a week long International Festival with cultural events from around the world.
Nominated by: Constance Lundy,Eta Alpha Chapter,Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Domestic Student Award for International Achievement:
Taryn Moorebegan her studies in Mandarin-Chinese in 2007 and by 2009 was accepted into the federally funded Strategic Language Initiative. She will be studying in Shanghai this summer.
She has been an active member of Beta chapter, helping to organize the Discoverfest and other activities. Her position as Student Representative involves outreach to other internationally oriented students.
She volunteers at project S.H.I.N.E. teaching conversation classes and she interns at the non-profit American International Education Foundation as a Marketing Manager.
Taryn plans to join the Peace Corps after graduate school and will seek an eventual career with the World Bank. Taryn bungee jumps and sky dives for recreation when not involved with her busy schedule.
Nominated by: Lay Tuan Tan,Beta Chapter,California State University, Fullerton
David Merchant International Student Award for Achievement
Faisal Shuaibcame to the University of Alabama, Birmingham(UAB) with his credentials as a global citizen already confirmed. His medical degree and Masters in Public Health are from universities in Nigeria. He worked on disease control for the World Health Organization and earned rewards for his work in expanding immunizations. He has also worked for CDC, USAID and the UN Population Fund to promote good governance, the reproductive rights of women and education for female children.
At UAB, “Dr. Shuiab has brought a global view to class discussions and his contributions are always insightful and thought provoking” to quote a colleague. He helped set up an e-library that has now been installed at the University of Zambia to improve access to intellectual materials for scholars, practitioners and researchers there.
Since 2008, he has published 11 peer reviewed papers and has 7 more currently under review.
He also volunteers at an AIDS Alabama program and he coordinated an exhibit of Nigeria’s cultural diversity during the spring 2008 International Bazaar.
Nominated by: Pauline Jolly,Beta Nu Chapter,UAB
Chapter Awards
Outstanding Chapter Award: Northeast Region
Alpha Sigma Chapter, Syracuse University
Outstanding Chapter Award: Southeast Region
Mu Chapter, University of North Carolina, Charlotte
Outstanding Chapter Award: Southwest Region
Epsilon Mu Chapter, Colorado School of Mines
Outstanding Chapter Award: West Region
Omicron Chapter, California State University, Sacramento
Eilen M. Evans Overall Outstanding Chapter Award:
Mu Chapter, University of North Carolina, Charlotte
Abigail "Abi" Pereira
Director of Awards
Phi Beta Delta Honor Society