Quest 2015

EMP O RIA S TATE U N IV E R S I T Y

The Research Magazine for Emporia State y 2015

Featuring the Icons of Emporia State

EMPORIA STATE SERVICE AND RESEARCH at the National and International Level

This issue of Quest highlights Emporia State faculty who have received national and international awards, held national and international professional offices, been selected as Fulbright Scholars or received the prestigious Roe R. Cross Award.

For a small, regional university, to have five current faculty receive a Fulbright Scholarship during their professional career is quite impressive. Dr. Clamurro, Dr. Edds, Dr. Aber, Dr. Kelly and, most recently, Dr. Barnett have all been selected as Fulbright Scholars.

The faculty members interviewed for this section of Quest share the professional value of such an experience for their own professional development and that of their students.

Service to the profession is nothing new for faculty at Emporia State University. However, it might be surprising to know the level of that service. We have presidents of national professional organizations, editors of national and international journals, and board members of national societies and professional organizations.

Emporia State faculty are also no strangers to National and International Awards. Dr. Betsy Yanik received the President’s Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring in 2004, and yes, that is the President of the United States! We also have National Honor Award recipients and a faculty member who received the Jewel of India Award.

Finally, the Roe R. Cross professors are highlighted in this edition of Quest. Established in 1979, the Roe R. Cross represents the highest honor a faculty member can receive at Emporia State. Faculty members who have received this honor discuss the meaning of this award to them and the way it has helped shaped their work at Emporia State.

Finally, I hope you enjoy the photos throughout the magazine. Faculty members were such good sports in re-enacting historic iconic photos. I hope you will take the time to explore this issue. Enjoy!

Dr. Kathy Ermler Dean, Graduate School and Distance Education

QUEST CONTENTS 2

FULBRIGHT SCHOLARS James Aber John Barnett William Clamurro David Edds Phil Kelly

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ROE R. CROSS

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PRESIDENT

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ICONS OF EMPORIA STATE

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NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL AWARD

Marshall Sundberg, David Edds, John Richard Schrock, Tim Burnett Jozenia Colorado Max McCoy Ellen Hansen Betsy Yanik Susan Mai Kalyan Chakraborty

Dan Kirchhefer Tes Mehring Amy Sage Webb Charles Brown Joella Mehrhof

John Richard Schrock Jim Hoy Betsy Yanik & Connie Schrock Vicki Worrell & Karen Dowd

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PUBLICATION AWARD Kevin Rabas Greg Schneider Joyce Zhou

Fulbright Scholars

Emporia State University blessed with Fulbright Scholars Among the many advantages Emporia State University offers students, one that is often overlooked is the number of Fulbright Scholars among its faculty.

It shouldn’t be.

Having Fulbright Scholar professors is a distinction and offers students the opportunities to learn from and work closely with professors who are leaders in their field of study.

The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs sponsors the Fulbright Program.

Approximately 310,000 Fulbrighters have participated in the program since its inception in 1946 and currently it operates in more than 155 countries worldwide.

It is a program designed to work toward the common good.

“The Fulbright Program aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship,” said Senator Fulbright.

Fulbright Scholars teaching at Emporia State include: n Dr. James Aber, (Department of

Physical Sciences) was a Fulbright 2

Student Scholar in the department of General Geology at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1979. In 1993, he received a second Fulbright Scholar award through the Institute of Geology at the University of Warsaw, Poland.

case, of study abroad in the relevant country of the project contributes to the depth of background in the field of the professor’s specialty. This ideally enhances what the professor brings to his or her teaching here at Emporia State.”

n Dr. John Barnett, (Department of

“I had always dreamed of teaching on a foreign campus,” said Kelly. “I must say that my experience in Paraguay was totally a positive one. As a result, I have been able to share with my Emporia State students my contacts within a U.S. embassy and with students within a foreign classroom.

Social Sciences) received a Fulbright Scholar award to do research in Vietnam during a sabbatical leave in the spring of 2015. n Dr. William Clamurro, (Department of English Modern Languages, and Journalism) was a Fulbright Scholar in Madrid (198586) involved in the program of cooperation between Spain and the United States. n Dr. David Edds, (Department of

Biological Sciences) was a Fulbright Student Scholar in Nepal (198485) and again in 1996. He has also earned the award again for the 2015 year.

“Currently, I am teaching a course on Latin American governments and sharing with students such happenings as I enjoyed during my Fulbright opportunity.”

Edds thought back to his time in Nepal and said he believes it definitely has made him a better professor.

of Social Sciences) spent a year (1989-90) teaching and researching as a Fulbright Scholar at Catholic and National Universities in Asuncion, Paraguay.

“I believe that it has given me insight and perspective that makes me a better teacher,” he said. “I gained knowledge I can pass on to my students in ichthyology, fish conservation, aquatic biology, and stream ecology.

So how did the Fulbright experience fulfill Fullbright’s vision and translate into benefit for the students and enhance Emporia State?

“Besides making me a better teacher,” he added, “it makes Emporia State better known nationally and internationally.”

Clamurro said, “each and every supported experience or project of scholarly research or, as in this

Edds study in Nepal certainly earned him international acclaim. He has had two fish named after him —

n Dr. Phil Kelly, (Department

Dr. James Aber Department of Physical Sciences

Dr. John Barnett Department of Social Sciences

Pseudecheneis eddsi and Balitora eddsi — by scientists wanting to recognize him for his more than 25 years of study of aquatic life in the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. He collected about 160 kinds of fish while on sabbatical with his Fulbright scholarship.

The Fulbright program is extremely competitive and Edds believes his service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal, along with his education and job experience, helped him earn the selection.

Aber noted that having taken a Danish language course made him competitive when he applied for his award. For his scholar award, he said his ability to gain support from his Polish colleagues was a key factor. In both cases, his primary interest was glacial geology and his experiences bolster his teaching.

“I teach a course on Ice Age Environments both on campus and online, in which my European experiences are a significant portion,”

Dr. William Clamurro Department of English Modern Languages, and Journalism

Dr. David Edds Department of Biological Sciences

said Aber, who is an internationally known expert in the study of glacial features and landforms, and glaciotectonic theory.

Aber once served as the North American coordinator and overall director of a major glaciotectonic mapping project involving many contributing scientists from North America and Europe.

Book publishing has been another byproduct of Fulbright success.

“The Fulbright award led eventually to books, both on the subject of glacial geology,” said Aber.

Kelly’s grant spanned 11 months in Paraguay and helped him generate a book.

“During that time I taught four university courses in Spanish and began writing a book that was subsequently published by the University of Texas Press,” he said.

Dr. Phil Kelly Department of Social Sciences

enriching experience for me both personally and professionally,” said Clamurro, although he admitted he was much younger and rather more fun loving at the time. “What I was able to gather through my research then, plus further research when I returned to the States, later came together in the form of my first published scholarly book, Language and Ideology in the Prose of Francisco de Quevedo.”

Barnett is the only Emporia State professor currently involved as a Fulbright scholar. He has just returned from Vietnam lecturing and doing research. His project title is “Vietnamese Agriculture and Aquaculture Policies Since 1986: Becoming a Global Participant.”

The host institution for his Fulbright work was the Hanoi University of Agriculture.

Clamurro likewise was inspired to publish after returning from Spain.

“The Fulbright was a wonderful and 3

Roe R. Cross

Dan Kirchhefer

“It sets a tone that there are people at Emporia State who do outstanding things. You do not have to go to Yale or Harvard to find quality researchers.”

All Out for Emporia State University When Dan Kirchhefer, Emporia State University professor of art, was awarded the 1989 Roe R. Cross (RRC) distinction, he actually thought he was getting fired. “I was asked to meet with the vice president of student affairs for lunch and had no idea why,” recalls Kirchhefer, “I thought I was being fired, so I was relieved when I was forced to cancel the meeting because I was leaving earlier than planned to take a group of students to Chicago to see an exhibit!” Little did he know, the vice president wanted to congratulate him on an award for doing things just like that trip to Chicago. In 35 years at ESU, Kirchhefer has always tried to make learning fun and to go all out for his students.

“I have always taken great pride in my teaching, research, and creativity,” remarks Kirchhefer, “if you don’t do research and create, then your students are the ones who suffer.”

When asked why the RRC distinction was important, Kirchhefer replied, “It sets a tone that there are people at Emporia State who do outstanding things. You do not have to go to Yale or Harvard to find quality researchers. They are alive and well at ESU.”

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Kirchhefer also mentioned that many of the people he admires are RRC professors. “I am no more important, but I do feel like I have accomplished something by winning this award.”

However, since Kirchhefer received the distinction, not much has changed. He continues to want to get to know about his students and their passions. He surveys his class constantly for opportunities to get their opinions on photos and artwork, and find ways to inspire his students.

“It’s important to sustain the influence. I am reluctant to make a big deal out of the distinction, but upholding a standard; this should be everyone’s goal.”

The welfare, betterments, and possibilities beyond the degree students receive are a top priority for Kirchhefer. In 1989, he was recognized for that excellence, but in the 26 years since, he has continued to go ALL OUT!

Roe R. Cross

Tes Mehring Civic Responsibility Dr. Tes Mehring has been a part of the Hornet Nation for 34 years. She has served in numerous roles and on many committees, touching multiple lives along the way. However, one of the most meaningful awards or honors she has received is the 1992 Roe R. Cross (RRC) distinction. “It is an incredible honor that almost all faculty here deserve,” Mehring remarks, “There is a richness and diversity across all departments and disciplines on campus at Emporia State University.”

Emporia State is a campus which stacks up against any research university in the nation. The distinction has led to all past winners becoming part of a group that meets each month to discuss ideas, give feedback and sometimes even help determine award winners themselves (RRC winners help decide the Shephards scholars each year). “It is a significant honor and good for the college all around. It is our civic responsibility to serve and RRC is only one way to do that. Great things happen because of RRC gatherings.

For instance, the Honors College came about because of discussions with the RRC members.” The Honors College is only one of many ideas to surface because of RRC collaborations but Mehring realizes the vast implications.

“The contributions and suggestions offered help serve our students.

The exemplary nature of our students, in both breadth and depth is incredible. We need to find ways to showcase this.”

Mehring believes ESU is just as good at providing a quality education as Division I institutions like Kansas

State University and the University of Kansas. “We have a national reputation because of the quality of educators in the Teacher’s College.”

And with quality educators like Mehring serving across campus, the addition of new RRC winners can only signal a national reputation on the horizon for all programs at ESU.

“It is our civic responsibility to serve and RRC is only one way to do that. Great things happen because of RRC gatherings.”

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Roe R. Cross

Amy Sage Webb Always Someone Along the Way For Amy Sage Webb, professor in the department of English, Modern Languages, and Journalism, there has always been someone there along the way. With numerous collaborations and interdisciplinary projects under her belt, it is easy to see why Webb was awarded the Roe R. Cross (RRC) distinction in 2012. “I believe it was because I worked with so many different people on things and treated them well,” recalls Webb, “and lightning struck where it should!”

Becoming a part of the community of scholars has been extra special. “There are so many people I have relied on and looked up to,” Webb states, “You don’t think an entomologist and a creative writer would work together, but because of RRC, they have.” Webb is, of course, talking about herself when she refers to the creative writer. As director of creative writing, Webb has a way with words. Recalling the day she found out about the distinction, Webb commented, “You know how most people see what people think of them when they’re dead?

Well, I got to experience that. I had 63 e-mails in my inbox when I returned to my office and students stopping by to show their support and appreciation.”

Webb is of course still alive and well and enjoys the opportunities the RRC group have together. Sharing ideas and finding ways to combine disciplines is just the start.

“We are trying to make opportunities for the students.

These meetings open dialogue, not only between RRC professors, but with the students, and our colleagues throughout the state.”

Webb has become a part of the state-wide consortium of distinguished professors and meets with many of the leaders in the state of Kansas. Webb believes providing feedback and consulting with the administration is a privilege. “It is important to share with the community what it is we are doing,” comments Webb. There is always someone with whom to share and collaborate in an effort to promote the common good and Webb has found plenty of someones along the way.

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“You don’t think an entomologist and a creative writer would work together, but because of RRC, they have.”

Roe R. Cross

Charles Brown Teamwork Contributes to Individual Awards Becoming a Roe R. Cross professor is a special recognition for faculty. It shows tremendous dedication to students, faculty and the university. For Dr. Charles Brown, a philosophy professor at Emporia State University, it is also about working together. “I like to think I was selected, at least in part, because I am a team player. If you try to work for the good of others, as well as yourself, sometimes, if you are lucky, good things come to you.”

Good things have been happening around Dr. Charles Brown for almost 25 years now at ESU. He believes it is due mostly to people with whom he has been surrounded, including previous RRC winners and fellow department members, Loren Pennington and Karen Smith. “Both will leave a long legacy of innovative education, tremendous service to the university and dedication to our students,” remarks Dr. Brown, ”I know this is also true of other RRC professors. I only hope that someday others might see me in that light.” Dr. Brown readily admits there are a lot of professors on campus who deserve the RRC distinction.

However, he believes the department in which he works does a great job of nurturing its own. “I have been able to get better at most things I do because of the people who have helped me.” By continually refining his trade, Brown has become a little better in the classroom, a little better at advising and encouraging students, and a little better at publishing. “I think I have been around long enough to finally become good at most things I do,” he states, “I think that is a reason I was selected, but I learned from others.”

As a philosopher, Dr. Brown likes to think in big picture terms. As the President and Provost announced the award in his Introduction to Philosophy class, ESU Provost, Dr. David Cordle said, “This award is a reflection of your entire career at ESU.” Dr. Brown took this to heart, stating, “I see this award as a big picture accomplishment. It means a lot to learn that others judge my 25 years here to be worthy of special recognition.”

Dr. Brown is very humble when talking about the RRC distinction and is quick to talk about others who have helped him along the way but he has a very special mission in mind for the future now that he has been awarded such high praise. “The best things in life are shared by family, friends, colleagues, and the community.

I hope the RRC professors are able to convince others that individual success almost always includes contributing to the success of others.” As long as ESU continues to have people like Dr. Charles Brown on staff, teamwork will continue to contribute to more individual awards!

“The best things in life are shared by family, friends, colleagues, and the community.

I hope the RRC professors are able to convince others that individual success almost always includes contributing to the success of others.”

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Roe R. Cross

Joella Mehrhof

“It is more important for our student majors to understand the importance of being physically active, as well as the need and value of quality physical education programs.”

We Each Shine in Our Own Way As one of the youngest of the ESU faculty recognized at the time of her nomination, Dr. Joella Mehrhof, professor in health, physical education, and recreation, was humbled by her selection as a Roe R. Cross professor.

“I was totally surprised. There seemed to be so many other university faculty leaders who deserved this recognition. I was so very grateful for the opportunity.”

Recognized in 1998 for her professional contributions, her sentiments seemed to ring true for many of the RRC professors. Most didn’t think they did any more than the rest of their colleagues or what their positions required, but were lucky enough to receive the highest faculty award on the ESU campus.

In 1996, as the chair of the HPER department, Mehrhof helped the HPER faculty launch the first totally online master’s degree program in physical education in the world. This program has since grown to around 200 students of which Mehrhof serves as their academic advisor. She has written/co-written 40+ books, conducted more than 50 school inservices across the nation, presented at 150+ conferences at the state, regional, and national levels, and secured over $2 million in grants to support curricular development and student travel.

She has received three national awards for teaching and professional service, as well as several college and university awards. Dr. Mehrhof has served as president of the ESU faculty, has served on most every university committee at least once, and has choreographed nine ESU musicals.

When asked about how the RRC award influenced her role within the HPER department, Mehrhof deflected attention from herself by indicating that it is not about awards or recognition that she has received. “It really about being a part of team of educators, and the HPER department faculty are true colleagues who support each other. We are all part of the picture. We each shine in our own way. It is more important for our student majors to understand the importance of being physically active, as well as the need and value of quality physical education programs.”

As one of 38 faculty recognized as RRC professors, Mehrhof epitomizes the characteristics of those earning the award: research, exceptional teaching, and professional service. Humbled by the award, she graciously accepts the recognition and responsibility.

The praise and admiration of her students is far reaching as she continues to provide opportunities for their professional development. For many, she will always be “Mama Mehrhof.”

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President

“At the end of the day, Dr. Schrock wants to be able to say he has made a difference.”

John Richard Schrock For the Love of Biology A person who receives his doctorate degree and teaches at the collegiate level can usually be considered passionate about his subject matter. That’s why it seems cliché to call Dr. John Richard Schrock of the Biology Department passionate, but his picture could be next to the word in the dictionary. He has known and pursued his passion for biology since a very young age, and his determination shows through a very long list of accomplishments.

Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors of the National Animal Interest Alliance, an organization that defends appropriate animal use in education, agriculture, research, and circuses. However, Dr. Schrock was a leader in biology long before he came to NAIA or Emporia State. He started his journey as a high school biology teacher and has now come full circle, as he trains future biology teachers at Emporia State. He is also the editor of several publications, such as The Kansas School Naturalist and Kansas Biology Teacher.

A jack of all trades, he frequently appears on Kansas Public Radio, where he is not afraid to stand for what he believes. In a recent appearance, he discussed the condition of education in Kansas, and how it is affecting public school teachers and future teachers. While he is concerned for the teachers he trains, he is also worried about what is currently happening in the high school biology classroom.

More and more schools are pushing towards a one-toone ratio of electronic devices for students, and this means that all things are going digital. “I’m concerned about the erosion of labs,” said Dr. Schrock. For example, there are applications and websites that allow students to do several different kinds of dissections online. However, he believes that students cannot learn without the hands on experience gained in a laboratory.

This is where his position with the NAIA comes into play. He works to defend the use of animals in science research, and also helps to determine what animals

should be used for different developments. As a part of the Emporia State community, his work encourages his students and his peers to be willing to step up to support healthy animal progress in learning and research settings.

Students at Emporia State benefit from his work and involvement with NAIA, because there are several labs on campus that utilize animals for research and educational purposes. This is also the reason why he says the university has been so supportive of a leadership position that is a large time commitment.

At the end of the day, Dr. Schrock wants to be able to say he has made a difference. Through his many contributions of writing, speaking, and teaching, it’s easy to see he is well on his way. The leadership qualities he possesses are not only valuable to NAIA, but also to his students, the university, and education overall. He models on a daily basis what it means to be a quality educator with perseverance and passion.

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President

Jim Hoy Hidden Mountains and Legends Fieldtrips and naptimes are nothing but a distant memory by the time students reach college, but some students played their cards right and gained one more chance to explore outside of the classroom. They found themselves in the heart of the Flint Hills, huddled up around a campfire on a cool, summer evening listening to Dr. Jim Hoy lecture about the History of the Flint Hills and Literature and Folklore of the Great Plains.

The next day, they were discovering plant and wildlife on a commercial wagon train with Dr. Tom Eddy of the Biology Department. This kind of experience and collaboration was nothing new to Dr. Hoy, he frequently gets out of the classroom and into the world.

His knowledge and adventures are not limited to the Great Plains region; he took three sabbaticals to Australia, and he attends global conferences and speaks all over the nation. He does approximately 80 outreach programs per year in Kansas and the surrounding states, all the while giving a face to Emporia State. He believes in the beauty and power of the Great Plains and Kansas.

“We Kansans are modest; we work hard, and we don’t expect to get rich quick. We’re so modest that we keep our mountains hidden.”

A native of the Flint Hills, Dr. Hoy is somewhat like the cowboy legends he discusses in his books and lectures.

Except, he is not a cowboy; his legend is being a notable professor, author, speaker, and leader. He’s been with Emporia State since the early 70s, and his list of welldeserved accolades and leadership positions span from one end of campus to the other. He received his master’s degree from ESU, and his Ph.D from The University of Missouri - Columbia.

“I feel so fortunate to have come back to Emporia State,” said Dr. Hoy. He is currently serving as the President of the American Association of Australian Literary Studies and is the director for the Center for Great Plains Studies.

Previously, he served on the Board of Directors for the Library of Congress for six years. His novel, Flint Hills Cowboys, which was his favorite of his 15 published books, was named a Kansas Notable Book in 2007.

Another one of his novels, Cowboy’s Lament: A Life on the Open Range, was awarded first place in the Co-Founders Book Award for non-fiction by Westerners International and won a Will Rogers Medallion in 2011. He was also named a Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor in 1983, and was the chair of the English, Modern Languages, and Journalism department for ten years from 1980 to 1990.

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“We Kansans are modest; we work hard, and we don’t expect to get rich quick. We’re so modest that we keep our mountains hidden.”

President

Betsy Yanik & Connie Schrock

“Both women are not only professors; they are leaders, visionaries, and innovators; nationally and globally.”

Two is Company: The Leadership of Dr. Schrock and Dr. Yanik Growing up, Dr. Connie Schrock never had a female math teacher. Her passion for mathematics was missing a role model. Now, at Emporia State, she is that role model for hundreds of young women and men with a passion for mathematics and math education. When she first came to ESU, she was the only woman in the department, but now she pairs with Dr. Betsy Yanik to create a powerful duo of women in a profession that consists mostly of men.

With these two women leading the way, this trend might not last long. Both women are not only professors; they are leaders, visionaries, and innovators; nationally and globally. Dr. Schrock is the First Vice-President of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM) and was program chairwoman for the annual conference in Boston. With approximately 2,000 participants registered and 350 speaker sessions, Dr. Schrock was at the helm of the largest NCSM conference in history.

“If it weren’t for this organization, I’m not sure I would know where to find all of the good resources,” said Dr. Schrock. For example, it was through NCSM where she learned how to use Twitter when it was first released.

Her knowledge of technology is evident in her classroom and pedagogy.

The college has benefitted from her connections and knowledge of technology in the classroom. The use of technology in this room is an educator’s dream; each lesson is recorded via Panopto for all students to view or review. They also use Smartboards and iPods, and use communication applications such as Educreations.

Dr. Yanik’s leadership experiences have also impacted her classroom and community. As the National Director of the Women and Mathematics Network, she “promotes, publicizes, and organizes mathematics outreach conferences to encourage women.” She expands her base of connections with other professionals all over the world, such as people from Indonesia and

the Philippines. She brings those connections back to the university and her students, many of whom have become involved in the organization through volunteer opportunities. Her dedication to her work and students landed her a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring in 2004.

Not only does this duo work within their organizations and classrooms, they also bring knowledge and passion to the community. Together, they organize and present at an annual Math Day for high school students. They strive for consistency in and recognition for the Math and Computer Science Department at ESU, which they achieve through their respective organizations. Dr. Schrock and Dr. Yanik bring enthusiasm and strong leadership skills to Emporia State, but they are also encouraging and inspiring a new generation of male and female mathematicians and educators.

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President

Vicki Worrell & Karen Dowd Leadership is an Activity According to the principles taught at the Kansas Leadership Center, “Leadership is an activity, not a position or authority.” Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER) professor, Dr. Vicki Worrell and adjunct professor, Dr. Karen J. Dowd have demonstrated this type of leadership for more than four decades. They have served as their respective state health and physical education organizations’ executive directors for a combined 46 years and have been chairs of multiple committees that promote healthy and active lifestyles. Both have also served as President of their state and regional organizations. However, it is their service as American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) President that demonstrate the dedication they have to their profession, colleagues, and students.

The three-year commitment is the top elected position in the national organization (now SHAPE America), but one that comes with numerous duties and responsibilities.

Dr. Karen J. Dowd has always been interested in movement and wellbeing, so it was only natural that physical education be a part of her 12

career path. “I had physical education everyday when I was growing up in New York and I had outstanding teachers and wonderful role models to look up to,” states Dr. Dowd. So, at the age of 18, Dowd made her way to Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas and began her life as a physical educator. It was also at this time she became a member of AAHPERD. She has not let the membership lapse and will begin her 50th year with the organization this year. “I am a person who believed from day one that our profession gives so much to the world,” says Dowd, “I believe it is my responsibility to do the hard, behindthe-scenes work as a small part of this profession.”

From 1995 to 1998, Dr. Dowd served in anything but a ‘small’ role. It was during this time she was elected as President-elect of AAHPERD, became President during the 199697 year, and then finished her three year term as Past-President. “There were many duties along the way, but the main one was being the voice of the organization. If there was a news conference or any media involved, you were the one being interviewed.”

When asked about how the position helped her as a professional, she

commented, “My students were able to understand the importance because the national organization came right into their classroom. I believe that in your profession, you have the duty to ‘carry the water’ to the next generation and this was an easy way to pass along the buckets.”

Both Dowd and Worrell travelled extensively during their Presidency.

Dr. Dowd visited 40 states and Dr. Worrell went to 24 states and 3 countries. While on the road, they presented the ideas and goals of AAHPERD. “I was able to keep abreast of the most recent initiatives and pass along best practices to my colleagues and students,” remembers Worrell of her 2009-12 tenure, “and wherever I went, I also talked about Emporia State University.”

ESU has been home to Worrell for 11 years now. She taught elementary physical education in Wichita for 19 years, prior to joining the faculty in 2004. “The university and my HPER colleagues were fantastic while I was gone for my presidential duties. They allowed me to complete all necessary travel, covered the university committees I was a part of and the classes I taught,” recalls Worrell, “During the presidential

President

“I see myself as a lifetime learner and I learned just as much from the educators I met as I am sure they did from me,”

year, AAHPERD buys out half of the President’s contract to complete his/ her duties, so the real sacrifices were made by fellow faculty.”

A member of AAHPERD for 42 years, Dr. Worrell has strived to be a servant leader. The presidency allowed her to do so by meeting many new people across the nation.

“I see myself as a lifetime learner and I learned just as much from the educators I met as I am sure they did from me,” comments Worrell, “AAHPERD has offered me so much.” One such opportunity was

meeting Dr. Karen J. Dowd in the 1980’s. This eventually led Dr. Dowd to invite Worrell, along with other ESU HPER faculty, Dr. Kathy Ermler, Dr. Joella Mehrhof and Dr. Joan Brewer, to Florida to present at their state convention. The colleagues have stayed in touch over the years, and this is one of the reasons Dr. Dowd ultimately joined the faculty in the fall of 2005. “Emporia State University has always been known as a top-notch health & physical education program. People across the nation know this and the bottom

line is, I’m a teacher and I’m a faculty member at ESU and I love it!” expresses Dowd.

The two are passionate about being educators and truly enjoy helping other professionals grow. Each day, they work to further their profession and the common good through the numerous roles they serve. All of these titles are, of course, positions they have held or currently hold, but it is the ‘activity’ they have shared along the way that make them leaders in their profession.

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Icons of Emporia State University

Iconic Photos of Faculty Since this edition of Quest focuses on the Emporia State faculty who have achieved national or international recognition, it is only fitting to have historic iconic photos remade using Emporia State faculty. Thanks to these faculty members for their time and sense of playfulness in reenacting these photos.

Michael Morales and Amy Sage Webb in the kiss

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Steven Catt as Forest Gump

Icons of Emporia State University

John Cayton as Bjorn Borg

Paul Luebbers and Dwight Moore as Easy Riders

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Icons of Emporia State University

Joella Mehrhof in Singing in the Rain

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Icons of Emporia State University

Andy Houchins, Allan Comstock, Gaile Stephens, and Dawn McConkie in The Beatles, Abbey Road

William Clamurro as Einstein

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Icons of Emporia State University

Mathematics Faculty as Workers on Skyscraper

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Icons of Emporia State University

Matt Seimears as Rocky

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National or International Award

Marshall Sundberg, David Edds, John Richard Schrock & Tim Burnett

“with all the research we do together, the students become a part of your family. You are collaborators as much as you are their mentor.”

Doing the Work Anyway Emporia State University is not a Division I research institution.

However, with the leadership, research, and service to the common good that resonates from the Emporia State University Biology department on campus, you would be hard pressed to find a more quality, student-centered education. The faculty not only teach classes, but advise students, conduct research, serve as editors, and oversee hundreds of research endeavors led by their students. In short, they lead by example. Drs. Tim Burnett, David Edds, Richard Schrock, and Marshall Sundberg are only four of these faculty leaders in biology. “Not everyone does the same thing, but everyone does the work because it needs to be done,” Schrock states.

For Burnett, this means writing numerous grants so his students can conduct research in his labs. “We can easily go through $2000 in an afternoon because of the nature of our research.”

This research includes immunology and, more specifically for him, the study of mucosal tolerance or why some humans tolerate some bacteria in their intestine and not others. Burnett’s students have thrived in the lab, in large part, because of the amount of grant funding Burnett has secured. Not only does the money go to his students’ research, but to the staff who mentor the students during the summer semester. “The faculty donate their time during the summer and it’s important that we find a way to compensate them.”

For this excellence in teaching, service, and research, Burnett has received the Kansas IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (K-INBRE) Faculty Scholar award in 2011 and the Outstanding Mentor award in 2009 and 2014.

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Much like Burnett, Edds conducts a majority of his research with students as well. As a field biologist, Edds is committed to hands-on learning and takes field trips with his students regularly to the eight naturalist areas around campus. “As a teacher, you want to disseminate information and help the students learn by doing,” Edds remarks, “with all the research we do together, the students become a part of your family.

You are collaborators as much as you are their mentor.”

For all these collaborations, which total over 80 projects in his 25 years at ESU, Edds received the 2010 Robert L. Packard Outstanding Educator award by the Southwestern Association of Naturalists. “I grew up in the society and now I’m taking students myself. It’s an honor just to be nominated for this award, but seeing students becoming the star of the show is a reinforcement of what we are doing.”

Richard Schrock is no stranger to awards himself; twice receiving the radio award in the Editorial/Commentary Category from KANU, among numerous other awards over the years.

“I have the voice and knowledge so I feel it is my obligation and intellectual debt to be doing these things,” Schrock remarks, “if anything, I haven’t done enough.”

Schrock’s students do not just include those at Emporia State. He has also been a guest lecturer at several universities in China and made his 17th trip to the country this past summer. Along the way, Schrock became the English editor of Entomotaxonomia, a scientific journal in China that received the 2013 award from the Ministry of Education in the People’s Republic of China for best new science journal.

Marshall Sundberg is a botanist. He is an active member of the Botanical Society of American and in 2009 and received the Merit Award (now Distinguished Fellow) for his service to the society and education. “There aren’t many people who get the award, most of the winners are from Division I research institutions,” comments Sundberg, “so this award means a great deal to me.”

Not only does his service help the Botanical Society, but the students at Emporia State. Undergraduate students can receive grants to begin their research with Sundberg. This mentorship was the reason Sundberg received two other awards. In 2012, Sundberg received the Fellow Education Section Award from the American Association of the Advancement of Science and in 2014, he was honored with the Samuel Postlewait Award, Teaching Section.

Both awards have put ESU on the map.

Sundberg now serves as a mentor each year for plant/science programs around the country. “This year I am mentoring students from Florida. Middle and high school students, as well as college students, develop projects and a mentor is assigned to them. We discuss the projects and their findings online,” mentions Sundberg.

The opportunities, especially grant funding, have expanded with the reputation of the Department of Biological Science and the awards faculty have received. It’s easy to see just how much these professors care about their students and the passion they express for their profession.

Schrock sums it up, “We don’t just do the work to get tenure. We have a marvelous, diverse department that revolves around education. Even without the awards, we would be doing this work anyway.”

National or International Award

“These recognitions are a catalyst to inspire others to serve in their professions.”

Jozenia Colorado Awards Meant to Inspire Others Awards may be made to go on a shelf or a wall, but Dr. Jozenia Colorado believes they are meant to be a guiding light.

the convention; communicate with proposal authors and reviewers; recruit and assign presentation facilitators; and plan and schedule study hours.

“I also hope that I am serving as a model to our students,” said Colorado, associate professor and chair of the Department of Instructional Design and Technology at Emporia State. “These recognitions are a catalyst to inspire others to serve in their professions.”

In 2012, Colorado earned the Outstanding Service Award for The Teachers College of Emporia State University, and in 2011 was named to the Phi Delta Kappa Class of Emerging Leaders. The PDK award recognizes top educators under age 40 from around the world for their leadership.

Colorado, known as Zeni, has certainly picked up enough awards to help light the way for her school, department, colleagues, and students.

“My awards recognize my service to the instructional design and technology field, and my service to Emporia State University,” said Colorado. “My service has opened up tremendous opportunities in professional networking. The Emporia

She received the 2014 Special Service award from the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) for her overall continued service and leadership to AECT. Colorado was an AECT convention co-planner for two years and acted as the organization’s webmaster for a year and a half, while also holding the post of Research and Theory Division President.

State IDT program is well known throughout the AECT organization.

This has opened up opportunities to collaborate with IDT scholars at other institutions, for our students to meet and talk to the top scholars in the field, as well as bring in speakers to network with our students. We can also see the increased quality of candidates applying for IDT faculty positions when they are available.”

And all this has kept Colorado’s light burning bright.

“I learn so much from each person I work with in the field,” she said.

“Through my service, whatever I learn, I teach and give to my students.

Serving others helps me become a better teacher and mentor.”

In 2013, Colorado received the Presidential Award from AECT. This award recognized her work as convention co-planner for both 2012 and 2013. She also was responsible for working between AECT divisions and board leadership to facilitate call for proposals; design and development of the convention app; design and develop the convention program; facilitate the proposal process, including the acceptance and rejection process; schedule all the division presentations and events for 21

National or International Award

Max McCoy

“It reinforces the goals of the department and the recognition shows that student journalism is important.”

Encouraging the Student Voice Max McCoy, associate professor in the English, Modern Languages and Journalism department, is an author and writer. He has been an investigative journalist for the Joplin Globe, interviewed serial killers, hate groups, wrote 30,000 word confrontational pieces, and has written 17 novels, including four from the Indiana Jones series.

However, this past November, McCoy was honored with an award for a different kind of work; work that allows Emporia State students to share their voice. In 2014, the College Media Association’s Distinguished Advisor for FourYear Newspapers was awarded to McCoy. McCoy has served in the role of advisor for ESU’s Bulletin since 2008.

The award, which is studentnominated and then peer-reviewed, is the top award given to advisors.

“I was surprised at first because I had no idea the students had nominated me.” However, the surprise quickly changed to appreciation, “I am grateful the students thought enough of me to think I deserved this award.”

When McCoy talks about his advisees, you can see the twinkle in his eyes. “I am proud of the Bulletin staffers, it is hard to be a student writer.”

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However, McCoy continues to encourage his students to advocate, particularly on their first amendment rights. He tries to provide a sense of why journalism and free speech are important and allows the students an independent voice. McCoy does not review the stories in the Bulletin himself, instead leaving this to the student editors. McCoy oversees the editors to make sure they are critiquing the work honestly. “I think this is how you earn the trust of the students, by letting them voice their opinions. It was just a lucky judgment by the committee that I was actually given the award,” remarks McCoy. Whether it was luck or hard work, McCoy believes literary citizenship and modeling mentor behavior

are encouraging for students. The Bulletin was first published on September 10, 1901 and it has been entirely student operated since that time. “The students are helping to write the history of the school and what student life is like,” comments McCoy, “it is the best time capsule of student thought we could have.”

Sometimes there is little sleep, especially on publication nights, but a few cups of coffee and the satisfaction on the students’ faces when a finished product is delivered is very gratifying to McCoy. “It reinforces the goals of the department and the recognition shows that student journalism is important.” And as long as McCoy’s leadership is around, so too will be the student voice.

National or International Award “I try to convey my passion for gender roles and relations to my students. The awards I have been fortunate enough to receive have inspired me to do so. I only hope my students will one day pass it on to their students.”

Ellen Hansen Sometimes You Just Need A Reminder At times, just like most other people, Dr. Ellen Hansen, chair of Interdisciplinary Studies at Emporia State University, has wondered if she was in the correct line of work.

“Sometimes you just think, “Maybe I should be doing something else.”

It was 2004 and Dr. Hansen was in her office on another weekend, grading papers and contemplating the ‘what-ifs’ during a very trying semester when she received an e-mail indicating she had received the Janice J. Monk Service award for her service to the Gender Perspectives on Women (GPOW); a specialty group of the AAG. She was receiving the award for her service to the GPOW organization. “I thought they had made a mistake and that they

should give it to someone else,” recalled Hansen.

The award is peer-nominated and named after Hansen’s graduate advisor and mentor at the University of Arizona, Dr. Janice Monk. These two things alone had Dr. Hansen in tears on that Sunday afternoon as she realized there was a reason to be doing what she was doing.

During her ten years of service to GPOW, Hansen transformed a word document containing thousands of reference tool entries into a searchable database for members; no small task.

“The award gave me a boost to keep doing what I was doing. It gave me a sense that my work was worthwhile.”

Not only was it worthwhile but it has been for the common good.

Thousands of students, not just at ESU, have used the database and loved how easy it is to use.

With new enthusiasm, Hansen hasn’t stopped since. After chairing the awards selection committee through two triennial award cycles for the Society of Women Geographers, Hansen received the 2014 award for Meritorious Service. Her service included leading the review and revision of the Society’s long-standing awards selection process, in addition to organizing the committee to select the actual award winners.

“It is not a regular award handed out by the society,” Hansen explains about the meritorious recognition, “I am very fortunate to have received it when others don’t and it is work that I would have done anyway.”

That is the type of leader Hansen is. She enjoys learning about others’ work through the selection process and in her research. It is the individual stories that make her light up with excitement.

“I try to convey my passion for gender roles and relations to my students. The awards I have been fortunate enough to receive have inspired me to do so. I only hope my students will one day pass it on to their students.”

Not only are these awards an inspiration to her students, but a little reminder, every now and then, that she is right where she needs to be at Emporia State.

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National or International Award

Betsy Yanik Emporia State in the Oval Office Dr. Betsy Yanik, mathematics professor at Emporia State University, works for the common good. Outreach and helping underrepresented populations is an important part of her service, research, and teaching. In 2004, Yanik was recognized for these efforts with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) and met President Bush in the oval office to accept the award. “It was really a huge group effort. It is so unfair, in ways, that only I received it,” Yanik remarks, “it should be viewed as ESU’s award and recognition.”

Dr. Yanik has helped initiate and continue three outreach programs for underrepresented populations, such as young women and Hispanics. These extra programs have been funded through grants Yanik has written. Yanik has led the charge, contributing to numerous grants.

“Usually with grants, once they start, they stop,” she says, “but not at ESU, once it starts, it stays.” This is largely in part to those like Yanik who have found ways to keep these outreach groups successful. Another initiative at ESU includes Math Day, hosted by the math department for middle school students in the Emporia area. The program has been active for 21 years.

“Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) has become a state priority and Emporia State University is playing a vital role in that STEM development.” Alumni of the mathematics department come back each year to help with workshops, logistics, and to work as counselors and mentors to students in the current programs. They are also the best recruiters, referring new graduate students to the program. It is hard to deny with this kind of following that the mathematics program isn’t on a sustained path, but even after helping to implement the new online graduate program in 2012, Yanik recognizes the need to continue to look forward, “We can always improve and expand, but the recognition of ESU’s outreach in STEM is nationally and internationally known.” ESU is on the map, and thanks to Yanik, in the oval office.

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“Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) has become a state priority and Emporia State University is playing a vital role in that STEM development.”

National or International Award

“The faculty and staff work one-on-one with the students as they develop their skills in theatre.

The students also run the productions and make sure the production is of quality every night.”

Susan Mai Susan Mai Shares Credit for Theatre Award When Susan Mai was awarded the certificate of commendation for costume design of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre festival (KCACTF), she was thrilled.

But the associate professor in the Department of Communication and Theatre at Emporia State is quick to share credit with her students and colleagues.

“The students build the costumes that are used in the productions,” said Mai, who won the award for costumes she designed for Dancing at Lughnasa. “The faculty and staff work one-on-one with the students as they develop their skills in theatre. The students also run the productions and make sure the production is of quality every night.”

“This recognition helps demonstrate the quality of our theatre program in Region V,” she said. “The region consists of schools from Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.”

“Bartruff agrees, Sue J is one of several Emporia State Theatre artists who have received KCACTF commendations. This speaks to the quality of our faculty and the training they provide to our students.”

“As a collaborative art,” added Bartruff, “theatre is the result of a lot of time and effort from a lot of people. Sue J always seems to bring out the best in her collaborators.”

Mai has won other awards during her time at Emporia State, including the Liberal Arts and Sciences Research award and Service award, and the Xi Phi Outstanding Faculty Award.

She has also received the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Meritorious Achievement awards in costume and makeup design for The Abdication, Guys and Dolls, Marvin’s Room, The American Dream, The Philadelphia Story, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, and The Matchmaker.

With all these awards, it is safe to say that Susan Mai deserves at least some of the credit.

“Sue J is humble,” said Jim Bartruff, director of Theatre at Emporia State, “like a lot of folks who grew up in western Kansas. Eager to acknowledge her students and peers, she strives not to shine the light on herself. To me, that is one of the attributes of a good teacher, acknowledging the efforts and contributions of others. But she is a great teacher, an outstanding colleague, and a loyal friend.”

Mai, who has a Master of Fine Arts from Montana State, seemed to indicate she viewed the commendation as a win for the Emporia State theatre program more than any personal gain.

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National or International Award

Kalyan Chakraborty Jewel of India When Emporia State University Economics professor, Dr. Kalyan Chakraborty, received an email from the selection committee of the prestigious Hind Rattan award in January of 2013, he thought it was spam.

A few days later he went ahead and sent in the requested resume and biographical information and received another email in return.

“I was still skeptical,” said Chakraborty, “because I thought I didn’t deserve it.”

Chakraborty did a Google search to find out more about the award and found several Indian professors and administrators in the United States had received the award.

“I even contacted some of them to make sure it was not a spam or a mistake,” he said. “On confirmation, I found that the letter was real and I felt very excited.”

The Hind Rattan award — which translates in English to “Jewel of India” — is given 26

annually to non resident Indians who have made exceptional contributions to society. It was instituted by the Non-Resident Indian Welfare Society of India (NRI) in cooperation with the government of India to promote unity, progress, friendship, and cooperation among the Indian community living abroad.

After accepting the reality of the award, Chakraborty then faced the issue of getting to Delhi, India to accept it.

“I realized that in order to receive the award in person, the round trip airfare and other costs, including logistics would be beyond my reach. But I guess I am blessed, because some of our Emporia State administrators went beyond their ways and means, and promised to support most of my cost and encouraged me to travel to India to receive the award.”

“I must mention the names of a few of them, such as Dr. John Rich, Dr. Gwen Alexander, Dr. Shonrock, and a colleague, Brian Denton. I am grateful for the

financial support they offered me for this travel.”

Chakraborty, now a U.S. citizen who has taught at Emporia State since 2000, called the award ceremony in Delhi, “a spectacular and memorable event, and an experience of a lifetime. I have been visiting India every two or three years, ever since I came to the United States 25 years ago, but I never felt so proud being an Indian the way I felt on this visit during the award ceremony.”

Though criteria for award selection are not disclosed by Society, Chakraborty said the award is given to Indians living abroad for their outstanding services, achievements, and contributions for keeping the flag of India high.

“Although I have no knowledge of the exact selection process for the awardees, I believe several factors, such as my studies and research on economic issues related to Indian economy, my frequent visits to several universities and institutions of higher learning as a guest speaker or program chair,

National or International Award

“As Indian professors in the USA, we need to motivate our Indian students to contribute any way they can toward the prosperity of their motherland.”

and my involvement in several PhD thesis committees from Indian universities might have drawn the attention of the selection committee.”

Chakraborty said the award boosted his morale and prompted him to inspire other Indian professors at Emporia State to offer their valuable services to the people of India. He said the time has never been better for this, especially since President Obama recently visited India to explore

long-term economic cooperation between what he called the two greatest democracies of the world.

“As Indian professors in the USA, we need to motivate our Indian students to contribute any way they can toward the prosperity of their motherland.”

“I feel I can easily connect myself with the existing and potential Indian students,” added Chakraborty, “and be able to send a message that you don’t need to forget your motherland

when you are professionally successful and living in the USA. It is all about devoting some of your thoughts and doing something positive for the country in which you grew up. Sharing my professional knowledge and expertise is not limited to the physical boundaries of my country.”

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Publication Award

Kevin Rabas Jazz, Coffee, and Kansas with Dr. Rabas Dr. Kevin Rabas, professor of poetry and creative writing at Emporia State University, grew up with a tape recorder around his neck. “My mom was a reporter, and she really encouraged us to write. When she would go to fires, sometimes she’d take me along, and I’d hold her tape recorder. It was a big thing back then, and they were bulky machines.” said Dr. Rabas who began writing at an early age and drawing inspiration from the Midwest. Born and raised in Shawnee, Kansas, “The cows would go up to the baby pool. But now houses have grown up all around,” said Dr. Rabas.

His poems, At the Curtis Cafe and Kissing Bea on the Prairie, were nominated by the Coal City Review for the Pushcart Prize Competition.

Each small printing press is allowed to nominate six of their best published articles. Thousands of articles are entered into the Pushcart competition, and if an author wins, his/her work is published in the annual printing of the Pushcart Best of the Small Presses. If the author is nominated, the article and author are listed in the back of the book as having the best article

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that the publisher chose. “The Pushcart is so difficult to win that being nominated is a small win.”

Dr. Rabas said.

Kissing Bea on the Prairie is about making out with his girlfriend on the side of a country road, and then local people chasing them back into town. “We were in her home town, and I was kind of an outsider,” said Dr. Rabas who uses confessional elements of his life to build his poems.

Because he enjoys giving talks and readings in small Kansas towns, he stopped at the Curtis Café for a cup of coffee and wrote the poem, At the Curtis Café. In his poem, he envisioned the last day of his life.

“I imagined I’d be reincarnated in a small town café which is my vision of heaven,” Dr. Rabas said.

He also won a regional competition, the Ad Astra Writing Contest, 2014, for his creative nonfiction piece, Calculus II. He was prompted to write it when he attended a class reunion. “I got to my high school reunion, and I had a horrible time.

It was still clickish and isolated. I talked to one person and it jogged my memory about this class,” said

Dr. Rabas. “I wrote it for the person, strangely enough, whom I reclaimed myself with.”

Calculus II is about Dr. Rabas failing Calculus II in high school. Seeming to give up on passing, Dr. Rabas left his books in his locker the evening before a test. On the way out of school, he changed his mind. “They locked up the area to the lockers, so I climbed on top of the coke machine, went over a gate, and got my books back,” said Dr. Rabas. He studied that night and ended up with a C. Deriving inspiration from the jazz scene in Kansas City, his current literary project is an artistic coming of age screen play about a naïve, suburban jazz enthusiast who falls in love with a freer performance poet, seeking to discover more about the world through her. The protagonist becomes a part of the jazz community in Kansas City in the early 1990s, and when one member is diagnosed as HIV positive, everyone in the community wonders if they have it. “I love being able to go and hear jazz in Kansas City. It is what I know and love, and it’s where I’m from,” said Dr. Rabas who began as a double major at the University of

Publication Award

“When a student decides writing is the one thing he/ she wants to do above all things, I am honored to be that person’s coach for a little bit of his/her journey,”

Missouri at Kansas City in English and Music while sitting in jazz jam sessions three times a week. “I was able to pursue both passions at once,” said Dr. Rabas. After earning his Ph.D. in English at the University of Kansas, Dr. Rabas became a professor at ESU in the spring of 2005. “When a student decides writing is the one thing he/she wants to do above all things, I am honored to be that person’s coach for a little bit of his/ her journey,” said Dr. Rabas.

Dr. Rabas’s future might include becoming the Kansas Poet Laureate, winning the Pulitzer Prize, or becoming the U.S. Poet Laureate, which would give exposure to poets in Kansas. “Most of the focus is on the coasts, and most of the poets you hear about are from those two places, so to focus back to the Midwest would be a wonderful thing,” said Dr. Rabas.

“I’m still growing as a writer so there is more to learn and more to achieve along the way. I’m working toward an ideal and those few times that the ideal is met is when others can say that there is something beautiful there. Something lasting. If it’s beautiful enough, it becomes lasting,” said Dr. Rabas whose artistic work will leave an imprint on Kansas.

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Publication Award

Greg Schneider

“The main culprit of railroad problems in the 20th century had to do with the regulation by the government.”

Trains, Lanes, and Corruption Dr. Greg Schneider, history professor at ESU, grew up in Chicago in the 1970s. It was then he became interested in trains.

“The Chicago Rock Island railroad had different kinds of locomotives and different paint schemes and was interesting to railroad fans,” said Schneider who wanted to take photographs of the railroad but didn’t get a chance before its bankruptcy and liquidation in 1980. “I wrote a paper about it in high school, but put it off to the side. Then I picked it up again six years ago,” remembers Schneider, who tells the story of the Rock Island railroad that ceased to exist after victimization by government regulations. Dr. Schneider sifted through 48,000 pages of testimony, 200,000 pages of exhibits, and read through 12,000 pages of documents to write his book, The Rock Island Requiem: The Collapse of a Mighty Fine Line.

The Railway and Locomotive History Society, which publishes a scholarly journal on railroad history, gave him the annual George and Constance Hilton Book Award for the best book on railroad 30

history in 2014. “For railroad history, it’s the biggest honor you can get for a book,” said Schneider.

The Rock Island Railroad began in the 1840s, and by the 1880s, was a 7000-mile system, transporting corn, grain, and wheat from the Midwest to Chicago. Dr. Schneider focuses his book on the railroad’s third and final bankruptcy. “The main culprit of railroad problems in the 20th century had to do with the regulation by the government,” said Dr. Schneider. The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was created in 1887 because the railroad had a monopoly on transportation. “The railroads were dominant, corrupt, and abusive.

They abused farmers and shippers because they had a lot of power.”

The ICC gained authority in the early 1900s when Teddy Roosevelt pushed for legislation that shipping goods, building a line, and abandoning a line had to be approved by the government.

When railroads weren’t doing well in WWI, they were taken over by the government. During the Great Depression, railroads went bankrupt. Dr. Schneider’s

book begins when the government helped railroads survive the Great Depression, and then profited from railroads during WWII by transporting goods for the war.

After WWII, the regulatory policies stayed the same even though trucks only needed to pay a gas tax when gas was 20 cents a gallon, and airports were subsidized by government authorities. “Every part of the railroad was taxed but they couldn’t change rates until the ICC gave them permission,” said Dr. Schneider, who said the central issue is how much power the government had over the railroad industry.

“The Rock Island was a Midwestern Grainger railroad that hauled grain, and they started to see their profits decline in the mid to late 1950s due to government overregulation, and the increase in the number of railroads. “Rock Island couldn’t survive in this climate of government regulation unless it found a merger partner,” said Dr. Schneider. For 11 years, from 1963-1974, the Rock Island sought a merger with the Union Pacific Railroad but other railroads,

Publication Award

like the Chicago Northwestern, opposed the merger because if the merger was accepted, their railroads would cease to exist.

“After 10 years of losses and not investing in track or keeping things in shape with labor unions and the cost of maintenance adding up, the Union Pacific, didn’t want the Rock Island anymore,” said Dr. Schneider.

Chicago Northwestern survived and merged with the Union Pacific, which is now the dominant railroad in the country. “The Rock Island did the right thing but was victimized by the government and by the other railroads in the region,” said Dr. Schneider.

However, there is a light at the end of Rock Island’s tunnel.

“Liquidation was so successful that it was one of the most successful

corporate reorganizations in American history. The Rock Island was $350 million in debt in 1980 and came out of bankruptcy as an investment company with $300 million in cash and a $200 million credit line,” said Dr. Schneider about the Rock Island, which eventually merged with Maytag.

“It’s an interesting story about how the government and the economy works. How the railroad industry in the 20th century was victimized by its own success in the 19th century because government officials still saw the railroad as a great monopoly that needed to be controlled and dominated and how that hurt the industry. It’s not just the Rock Island that got hurt, it was other railroads in the northeast,” said Dr. Schneider who states that eventual deregulation saved the

railroad industry. Trucking was deregulated first, then the airlines, and finally the STAGGERS Act was passed that deregulated the railroads. “Railroads can contract with shippers, abandon lines, and change labor contracts without approval from the ICC. That’s been a boom to the industry. It’s meant that fewer railroads are operating fewer miles,” said Dr. Schneider who adds that the ICC was dissolved in 1996.

“People don’t realize how many railroads there were. There use to be two railroads in Emporia, the Santa Fe and the Katy. The vestiges of its roadbed, can still be seen, but was abandoned in the 1930s,” comments Dr. Schneider whose current book is about government policy and the railroad industry from WWI to WWII.

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Publication Award

“I try to know them. Get to know their names. Talk to them.

I want them to be more successful. Sure, they can get a job after graduating, but I want to do better.”

Joyce Zhou Inspiring Students to Perform Research Dr. Joyce Zhou, a professor in the School of Business, pursued her undergraduate degree in Fuzhou, China where she met an American English teacher who became her mentor. “She brought in different readings. It opened our eyes. At that time we didn’t have many materials from outside of China.”

Her mentor, Betts Riviet, brought back Time, Fortune, and Vogue and created speaking opportunities that boosted her confidence. “I felt I could do something. I could make a difference,” said Dr. Zhou.

Through a competitive exchange program, Dr. Zhou was one of three students who went to Centenary College in New Jersey, and with her mentor’s encouragement, Dr. Zhou pursued an MBA at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago and a Ph.D. at Saint Louis University.

During her Ph.D. program, Dr. Zhou and her colleagues wrote an extensive literature review comparing cultural assessments for businesses operating in different countries.

Breaking Through the Cultural Clutter: A Comparative Assessment of Multiple Cultural and Institutional Frameworks was published in The 32

International Marketing Review.

“One of the best journals for businesses that want to invest in foreign countries,” said Dr. Zhou.

The Literati Network Awards for Excellence’s Highly Commended Award is given by the publisher, Emerald, every year to the top 50 papers out of 20,000. Dr. Zhou and her colleagues were given this prestigious award in 2009 for their paper, Breaking Through the Cultural Clutter, because of the study’s impact on business managers and academia.

“We tried to tie the theoretical part with real world applications,” said Dr. Zhou.

Dr. Zhou currently funnels her passion for research into her students, “It’s so rewarding to see from the scratch paper to this. It’s such an accomplishment,” said Dr. Zhou, gesturing to a student publication, “They (students) can take it with them forever.”

Because the MBA program does not require students to perform research, students are doing additional work.

“It shows perseverance, and you have to be patient because it’s a long process,” said Dr. Zhou.

Yin Zhen, an undergraduate business student of Dr. Zhou’s, ran an exploratory study on the content of college news marketing materials. She received the Outstanding Research Paper Award at the International Academy of Business and Public Administration Disciplines conference in Dallas, Texas, in April 2013, competing against Masters and Doctoral level research papers. Dr. Zhou and Zhen saved marketing materials from business schools across the country and organized the magazines into different categories like geographical regions, public or private institutions, research or teaching focused, and then analyzed the content.

“After looking through all those magazines, college news was number one (in content). Faculty news was number two,” said Dr. Zhou. Alumni news was more important for private school publications.

“It’s very rewarding to see that they can do such things,” said Dr. Zhou about her students performing research. “It helps them realize, ‘I have the ability to research and to talk to people. I’m not afraid of people walking around and asking me questions.’”

Publication Award

Yan Han, an MBA graduate student of Dr. Zhou’s, focused on green marketing by looking at different websites to see if there is sustainability in marketing. When Han went to a job interview at the University of Kansas, “The employer was fascinated by that (the publication) because it shows the students have the capability to perform quality research,” said Dr. Zhou.

Dr. Zhou helps students who might not realize their potential or know what opportunities are available to them. “I try to know them. Get to

know their names. Talk to them. I want them to be more successful.

Sure, they can get a job after graduating, but I want to do better.

Maybe they have a great potential for certain things that they didn’t realize like creativity or leadership,” said Dr. Zhou who encourages concept application and research to build confidence.

“I encourage students to create posters and do presentations at Research and Creativity Day,” said Dr. Zhou, “It’s very different from sitting in the back of the classroom to here.”

Dr. Zhou’s students also carry out team projects like developing promotional campaigns for local businesses. One team designed an advertising campaign for Orange Leaf that increased the sales of frozen yogurt during November 2014. Another team promoted the Green Door Recycling business by designing T-shirts. “It will be a good memory for the students. The students learn a lot from the real world experience,” said Dr. Zhou.

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ROE R. CROSS DISTINGUISHED PROFESSORSHIP

The Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professorship, established in 1979 and funded by a gift from the Roe R. Cross Foundation, is by most measures the highest honor Emporia State University can accord to one of its faculty. No more than one faculty member can be so honored in a given year. While the Cross award primarily recognizes scholarly and creative accomplishment, the academic record of a recipient must be distinguished by excellence in university teaching, participation in professional activities, the fostering of an intellectual atmosphere, recognition or respect accorded to him or her by peers and students, recognition of extra classroom service to the university, and a record of distinction as a student mentor.

2015 – Jim Persinger

2002 - Harvey C. Foyle

1989 - Dan R. Kirkhhefer

2014 – Charles Brown

2001 - Marie Miller

1988 - Carl D. Prophet

2013 - David Edds

2000 - William H. Clamurro

1987 - Thomas D. Isern

2012 - Amy Sage Webb

1999 - Ken Weaver

1986 - Elaine V. Edwards

2011 - Richard Schrock

1998 - Joella Mehrhof

1985 - Melvin G. Storm

2010 - Jim Ryan

1997 - Ronald Q. Frederickson

1984 - Stephen F. Davis

2009 - Karen Manners Smith

1996 - Martha Hale

1983 - James F. Hoy

2008 - Gary Ziek

1995 - Gaylen J. Neufeld

1982 - Helen McElree

2007 - Betsy Yanik

1994 - James Aber

1981 - DeWayne A. Backhus

2006 - Herbert Achleitner

1993 - Roger C. Greer

1980 - Loren E. Pennington

2005 - Donald S. Miller

1992 - Teresa A. Mehring

1979 - William R. Elkins

2004 - Larry Schwarm

1991 - Philip L. Kelly

2003 - Ronald T. McCoy

1990 - Cooper B. Holmes