Release date: 10-May-04

Faculty Members Receive Awards for Outstanding Teaching, Research, Leadership

Ten Emory University faculty members were honored with teaching, research and mentoring awards presented at the university's commencement ceremony May 10.

• Laura Porter Kimble, associate research professor in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, received the University Scholar/Teacher Award. The recipient is chosen by Emory faculty on behalf of the United Methodist Church Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Kimble is resident of Lawrenceville (30044).

Kimble is a role model for the ideal nursing educator. She identified key needs in the field and developed Emory's emergency nurse practitioner program. One of only two such programs in the country, Emory's was created with federal funding and in collaboration with several other Emory schools and departments. At the same time, Kimble has worked with undergraduates and doctorate students as an excellent, effective and devoted teacher. She has been recognized internationally for her scholarship, winning numerous awards.

• Thomas Samuel Burns, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Late Ancient and Medieval History, received the Thomas Jefferson Award, which is presented to a faculty member or administrative officer in recognition of significant service to the university through personal activities, influence and leadership. Burns is a resident of Decatur (30030).

For 30 years, Burns has proven himself a singular citizen of Emory -- innovative scholar, award-winning teacher, and vital member (often chairman) of every major college and university committee. He won the Emory Williams Teaching Award in 1982, and throughout his career, he has taught introductory history courses, as well as upper-level studies to an unfailingly large following.

Considered a "colleague's colleague," Burns has committed himself to the greater good by valiantly undertaking university service assignments according to the principles by which he lives. Always comporting himself by the highest ethical standards in his work, he also stands firm in preserving collegial friendships.

• Judith Campbell Rohrer, associate professor of art history, received the George P. Cuttino Award for Excellence in Mentoring, established in 1997 by trustee John T. Glover. Rohrer is a resident of Atlanta (30306).

Seven Emory professors received the Emory Williams Award for Distinguished Teaching. The university's most prestigious awards for teaching were established in 1972 by alumnus Emory Williams. The three awards in the arts and sciences are selected by a committee of Emory College faculty. Goizueta Business School, Oxford College and Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing each present an award for excellence in undergraduate teaching, and one other award rotates among the professional schools. The 2004 recipients of the Emory Williams Award are:

• Fereydoon Family, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Physics. Family is a resident of Atlanta (30329).
• Mark Risjord, associate professor of philosophy. Risjord is a resident of Atlanta (30345).
• Carrie Rosefsky Wickham, associate professor of political science. Wickham is a resident of Atlanta (30341).
• Mohammad Reza Saadein, associate professor of chemistry, Oxford College. Saadein is a resident of Covington (30014).
• Mary Allison Burdette, assistant professor of the practice of business law, Goizueta Business School. Burdette is a resident of Decatur (30033).
• Joyce L. King, assistant professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. King is a resident of Stone Mountain (30087).
• Nanette K. Wenger, professor of medicine, School of Medicine. Wenger is a resident of Atlanta (30327).

Emory University is known for its demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate college of arts and sciences, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research facilities. For nearly two decades Emory has been named one of the country's top 25 national universities by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to its nine schools, the university encompasses The Carter Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Emory Healthcare, the state's largest and most comprehensive health care system.

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