• Hettleman prizes go to four faculty members
• Walden named Julian W. Scheer term professor
• Bowman and Gordon Gray professorships awarded to three faculty members
• Staff Promotions/Reclassifications
• Star Heels program set for Sept. 20 launch
• Star Heels

Hettleman prizes
go to four faculty members

The award recipients, who were recognized Sept. 6 by Chancellor James Moeser at the Faculty Council meeting, are Richard Cheney, Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology; Andrea Hussong, Department of Psychology; Ming Lin, Department of Computer Science; and Winston "Cam" Patterson, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology.

The award, which includes a $5,000 stipend, was established in 1986 by Phillip Hettleman, the now-deceased University alumnus and New York investment banker, to recognize the achievements of outstanding junior tenure-track faculty or recently tenured faculty. The winners will lecture about their work during the current academic year.

Cheney
Cheney has been an assistant professor at Carolina since 1995. His research focuses on the biochemistry, cell biology and physiological functions of unconventional myosins and on determining the molecular basis of such processes as organelle transport, phagocytosis and growth cone extension.

In a letter nominating Cheney for the award, D. Lee McIlwain and William J. Arendshorst, professors of cell and molecular physiology, said, "He has set the standard for understanding the evolution of the myosin superfamily of proteins and is consulted frequently by other investigators wanting to know where their particular myosin fits in the grand scheme."

The letter also stressed Cheney's excellence in teaching undergraduate, graduate and medical students. He also has voluntarily participated three times in the Research Apprentice Program, which gives minority high school students an opportunity to work in University laboratories for a summer. He also taught a course in cellular and molecular physiology at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass., for three summers.

Hussong
Hussong has been an assistant professor in clinical psychology since 1997. Her research focuses on the development of psychopathology, especially during adolescence. Her projects include a high school transition study that seeks to identify factors explaining student difficulties during the transition from eighth grade to high school, a study on how friendship affects young adults' coping strategies and a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded study on stress and substance abuse in children of alcoholic parents.

"Without question, Professor Hussong is one of the most outstanding scholars I have seen in 27 years of academia," wrote Donald H. Baucom, director and professor of clinical psychology, in a nomination letter for Hussong.

Dianne L. Chambless, William Leon Wylie professor of psychology, commended Hussong's mentoring talents in a nominating letter: "Her undergraduate research advisees are already going on to high-quality doctoral programs to work with researchers in alcoholism, and her doctoral students here are doing fine work."

Lin
Lin, an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science, joined the faculty in 1995. Her research examines physically based and geometric modeling, computer graphics, robotics, three-dimensional visual simulation and applied computational geometry. She also concentrates on distributed interactive simulation and algorithm animation.

Her previous awards include the IBM-UNC Junior Faculty Development Award, the Honda Research Initiation Award and the National Science Foundation Young Faculty Career Award.

"Her work is built on solid foundation of theory -- much of it her own work -- with a strong emphasis on application to virtual environments," wrote Stephen Weiss, chairman of the Department of Computer Science, in a nomination letter. "Despite her youth, she has published more than 70 refereed papers in journals and conference proceedings."

Her work is currently in use in virtual environments at the University, as well as at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brown and Stanford universities and the Boeing Virtual Reality Development Group.

Patterson
Patterson, who came to Carolina in 2000, is the director of the Carolina Cardiovascular Biology Center and an associate professor of medicine, pharmacology, and cell and developmental biology. He also is affiliated professionally with the UNC Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis and the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, all in the School of Medicine.

Patterson's central research theme has been to identify specific genes that are critical in cardiovascular pathophysiology to characterize the function of these genes and then develop strategies using these genes as targets for intervention.

Patterson's previous honors include the National Research Service Award, National Institutes of Health; First Prize, the Ignacio Chavez Young Investigator Award, the Interamerican Society of Cardiology; and finalist, Young Investigator Award, American College of Cardiology.

"I can say with confidence that Dr. Patterson is the most promising young investigator with whom I have worked over the past 15 years," wrote Marschall Runge, Marion Covington distinguished professor of medicine, in Patterson's nomination.

Walden named Julian W. Scheer
term professor

Ruth C. Walden of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications has been named Julian W. Scheer term professor of journalism and mass communication.

Walden is the director of graduate studies in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She is on the Advisory Board of the Graduate School, as well as the editorial boards of "Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly" and "Communication Law and Policy." She teaches media law, and her research is in U.S., international and comparative media law.

Her most significant publications include "Insult Laws: An Insult to Press Freedom," a study of laws that make it a crime to insult government officials and institutions in more than 90 nations; "Mass Communication Law in North Carolina"; and "Access to Courts," in the past five years' editions of "Communication & the Law."

Walden was selected to be a member of the U.S. delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw, Poland, in October 2000 where she presented the U.S. statement on freedom of expression. In 1997, she received the David Brinkley Teaching Excellence Award in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Early in her career, as a reporter for the "Wisconsin State Journal" in Madison, Walden covered the House Judiciary Committee impeachment hearings on President Nixon. Walden earned her Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin. She enjoys golf, swimming and bridge.

The professorship's term is July 1 through June 30, 2004.

The Julian Scheer Term Professorship was created in 1993 in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication in honor of Scheer, a Carolina graduate. As a student, Scheer worked in the sports information office and ran a national newspaper feature service based in Chapel Hill. Upon graduating in 1950, he was named assistant director of sports information In 1953, he became a reporter for "The Charlotte News."

Among other notable accomplishments, Scheer was an assistant administrator in charge of public affairs at NASA where he directed arrangements for live coverage of the first lunar landing; Terry Sanford's spokesman during the former N.C. governor's brief presidential campaign in 1976; and, in addition to government and corporate involvements, a founder and director of Chapel Hill-based Algonquin Books.

Bowman and Gordon Gray professorships awarded
to three faculty members

Three Bowman and Gordon Gray professorships have been awarded to members of the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences. Receiving the honor are:

• George S. Lensing Jr, English;
• Peter G. Filene, history; and
• William M. Kier, biology.

Lensing
Lensing teaches courses in 20th-century British and American poetry and has published two books on the American poet Wallace Stevens, the most recent being "Wallace Stevens and the Seasons" published in 2001 by LSU Press.

He is currently acting director of the Office of Distinguished Scholarships.

Lensing has been associate dean for honors, secretary of the faculty, and assistant chair of the English department.

Filene
This fall Filene is teaching a survey of U.S. history since World War II. A spring seminar will prepare advanced graduate students for their first teaching jobs. The award-winning photographer also is teaching an undergraduate seminar on "Photography and Modern American Culture." For more than 20 years, he has directed the department's Committee on Teaching.

His most recent books are "Him/Her/Self: Gender Identities in Modern America" and "In the Arms of Others: A Cultural History of the Right-to-Die in America." His novel, "Home and Away," was published in 1992. He is collaborating on a book to help new faculty design courses.

Though an indisputably excellent scholar, Filene admits to flunking a Texas two-step class.

Kier
The associate department chair, Kier teaches comparative physiology and comparative biomechanics, as well as a graduate seminar including the philosophy of science and practical advice for young scientists.

He studies support and movement in squid and octopi and the evolution of muscle structure and function.

In 1995, Kier was awarded both the N.C. Professor of the Year Award by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Kier earned his Ph.D. in zoology at Duke University. He enjoys windsurfing, sailing and cycling.

Designed to promote excellence in undergraduate teaching, the Bowman and Gordon Gray Distinguished Term Professorships supplement the salaries of four faculty members each year. The professorships were endowed by alumnus Bowman Gray Jr., president and chairman of the board of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., and his brother, alumnus Gordon Gray Sr., former president of the university system and advisor to several U.S. presidents.

Lensings and Filene's professorships are effective through June 2007; Kier's begins next July and continues through June 2008.

Staff Promotions/Reclassifications

Information provided by Human Resources with employees' permission. Entries are listed by name, new title and department.

Sharon L. Bardachino, Processing Assistant V, Frank P. Graham Child Development Institute

Mildred R. Cheek, Housekeeping Supervisor III, Facilities Services Division

Janice L. Clark, Program Assistant V, Molecular Biology

Laura M. Cooper, Telecommunications Analyst I, Academic Technology & Networking Service

Kimberly S. Daye, Medical Records Assistant IV, Student Health Service

Ann P. Fogleman, Accounting Specialist II, Psychiatry

Tana M. Hartman, Student Services Manager I, Psychiatry

Peggy James, Administrative Assistant I, Highway Safety Research Center

Shauna M. Jones, Office Assistant IV, Housing

Tracey L. Jones, Administrative Assistant I, Medicine

Brenda H. King, Accounting Technician II, Center for Thrombosis & Hemostasis

Michael D. Musty, Social Research Associate I, Center for Thrombosis & Hemostasis

Natalie A. Nelson, Administrative Assistant I, Frank P. Graham Child Development Institute

Jeana A. Nickerson, Accountant I, Highway Safety Research Center

Judith A. Smith, Administrative Assistant II, Microbiology & Immunology

Star Heels program set
for Sept. 20 launch

On Sept. 20, the Employee Services Department will kickoff the 2002-03 year for the Star Heels Program, which gives campus departments the chance to recognize and reward accomplishments of their employees. Human Resources Facilitators from each department have been invited to attend the event. Award allocations for the upcoming program year will be distributed to facilitators at the event.

The kick off, beginning at 9 a.m., will feature comments by Laurie Charest, associate vice chancellor for Human Resources and Pirie McIndoe, TIAA-CREF's assistant vice president and manager of its Raleigh/Durham offices. TIAA-CREF is sponsoring the Star Heels award program for a third straight year.

University departments can use Star Heels to recognize staff at any appropriate time during the program year. Rewards are allocated based on the number of employees in each department. Departments are free to decide how Star Heels awards fit into the department's overall recognition program. Employees can nominate a co-worker for a Star Heels award through their HR facilitators, who send nominating information on to Employee Services, the program's coordinator. June 1, 2003, is the deadline for nominations.

Recipients choose a $20 gift certificate from A Southern Season, the UNC Student Stores/UNC OneCard, Lowe's Home Improvement or University Mall. Names of winners are printed in the "Gazette."

For more information on the Star Heels Program and event kick-off, call Employee Services at 962-1483.

Star Heels

Miranda Kelly, Kenan-Flagler Business School
Kelly was nominated for her customer service. "She is professional, efficient, fun and tough."

Ramona Kelly, English
Kelly was nominated because her "diplomacy, integrity and commitment are outstanding."

Nancy Kocher, Economics
Kocher "is diligent in her duties and goes beyond what is expected."

Glen Lawrence, Dentistry, Dean Financial Affairs
Lawrence "has demonstrated a true team approach to working with all other areas."

Lizhong Liu, Med. School Admin
Liu "is a team player who is a pleasure to work with and adds much to his work environment."

Joyce Loftin, Radiology
Loftin was nominated for her "dedication and hard work.

Valinda Long, Department of Marine Sciences
Long "has proven to be a valuable asset to all in the department."

Angela Lyght, Radiology
Lyght was nominated for her "hard work, dedication and length of service to the department."

Anthony (Andy) Maready, Carolina Center for Public Service
Maready "provides outstanding support to the center staff."

Anne Marshall, Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis
Marshall was nominated for her dedication and loyalty.

Susan Marston, English
Marston was nominated for her excellent skills and innovative ideas.

Glenn Matsushima, Microbiology & Immunology
Matsushima was nominated for the part he played in attracting more graduate students to the department.

Jacqueline Maynard, Dentistry, Dean Dental labs
Maynard "has been a tremendous help in bringing some sense of organization to the dental ceramics laboratory. "

Karen Mayse, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Mayse "is a hardworking, diligent and always willing to help a fellow employee. "

Shane McCurdy, Emergency Medicine
McCurdy was nominated for his "tireless effort and enthusiasm."

Leanne McSwain, Med. School Admin
McSwain "is an outstanding employee [who] works very hard."

Kelly Medlin, School of Government
Medlin "is highly regarded for providing information promptly and cheerfully. "

Wilma Melville, Radiology
Melville was nominated for her hard work and dedication to the department.

Jeff Mooney, Materials Management & Distribution
Mooney was nominated for his "excellence in service."

Suzette Morand, Cell and Molecular Physiology
Morand "is always willing and available to lend a hand to other employees."

Lakeisha Neal, FPG Child Development Institute
Neal "is very flexible, works long hours ... and provides leadership to her teaching team."

Natalie Nelson, FPG Child Development Institute
Nelson "may be the most effective `behind-the-scenes' employee of our institute.

Maria Paschall, Radiology
Paschall was nominated for her "hard work, dedication and length of service to the department."

Robin Perkins, Health Behavior and Health Education
Perkins "consistently projects a `can do' attitude."

LaTisha Perry, Med. School Admin
Perry was nominated for the increased responsibilities she has taken on and which she is performing "with excellence."

Beth Reeves, School of Pharmacy
"Beth is great, always helpful and willing to go out of her way to get the job done, friendly and pleasant, with a good sense of humor!"

Nelia Resendes, Dentistry, Dean's Office
Resendes "has been a very quick learner and a true team player. She is dependable and demonstrates extreme organization and accuracy in her work."

Catherine Rogers, School of Social Work
"Rogers is terrific at what she does. She is organized, helpful, skilled, willing to stay late if need be, and upbeat."

Deborah Rothwell, Dentistry, Dean Grants Management
Rothwell "constantly displays a "can do" attitude and a willingness to go the extra mile."

Jessica Russell, School of Government
Russell "does a wonderful job of selling the program to prospective students and then assisting those students in making the transition into the academic environment."

Kathy Sadler, Kenan-Flagler Business School
Sadler was nominated for planning and organizing a successful joint conference with Duke's business school.

Dave Sanel, FPG Child Development Institute
Sanel "is extremely dependable and has a 'radar-like' ability to anticipate problems and is a great trouble-shooter."

Beth Sauer, School of Social Work
Sauer was nominated "for her dedication, incredible patience with both faculty and students and years of hard work."

Katherine Savage, Med. School Admin
Savage "juggles multiple responsibilities -- seemingly effortlessly -- with great good humor and meticulous attention to detail."

John Sechelski, Cystic Fibrosis/Pulmonary Research and Treatment Center
Sechelski was nominated for his "outstanding" work in the lab, but also for the "extra things that benefit the whole center."

Stacey Sewall, Latin American Studies
"Sewall has not only mastered the day-to-day duties of office manager, but she has gone above and beyond in redesigning the institute's databases ..."

Billie Shambley, Developmental Disabilities Training Institute
Shambley was nominated "because of extra effort that she has shown throughout this year."

Ellen Shanahan, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
Shanahan was nominated for her organization of the combined campaign. "She is always eager and willing to be of assistance."

Dana Singleton, Med. School Admin
Singleton was nominated, in part, for her "effective and professional juggling of staff wants and needs."

Editor's Note: The Star Heels Award Program is sponsored by TIAA-CREF. Winners each receive a $20 gift certificate. Employee Services coordinates the program. Because of space constraints, the "Gazette" is able to print only a highlight of most recipients' nominating material. The deadline to submit nominations for Star Heel awards was June 1.