Contact: Bill Wagnon
The State Chemical Laboratory, along with the academic areas of mathematics, political science, sociology, and weed science, provided winners for the Mississippi State University Alumni Association's 1997 Faculty Awards.
At a Thursday [May 1] campus banquet, the annual honors program recognized "significant contributions to the welfare of humankind and the stature of Mississippi State University" in the categories of classroom teaching, research, and service.
Receiving awards this year are Earl G. Alley, state chemist and chemical lab head; political science professor Krish Bhansali; mathematics instructor Diane L. Daniels; sociology professor Frank M. Howell; and weed scientist David R. Shaw. Each recipient received a plaque and a monetary award.
Since the program's inception in 1965, more than 145 Mississippi State faculty members have been honored. Selections are made by committees of faculty, students and alumni.
This year's recipients represent 107 years of service to the university.
Honored this year are:
Earl Alley, Service Award. He was recognized for contributions to the improvement of Mississippi's quality of life and environment, as well as accomplishments that have enhanced economic development in the state. Under his leadership, the chemical laboratory has gained a leading reputation for pesticide residue analyses. Alley holds degrees from Mississippi State and the University of Illinois.
Krish Bhansali, Upper Level (junior and senior) Teaching Award. A member of the faculty for some three decades, he was cited by colleagues and former students as "a great teacher" who has had "the most profound impact on the largest group of students" and who has "motivated students to lead their lives in new and different ways." Bhansali holds degrees from Visva Bharati, Howard and American universities.
Diane Daniels, Lower Level (freshman and sophomore) Teaching Award. She is recognized by her colleague as the teacher whose math classes "are the first to fill up each semester," with others "often fighting to get in." She was recognized for helping students understand the coursework while inspiring them to learn. Daniels holds degrees from Pennsylvania State University and Mississippi State.
Frank Howell, Graduate Level Teaching Award. The sociology professor was recognized for his ability to combine his research interests and classroom skills to provide a "hands on" learning experience for students. He also was praised for "treating students on an equal and professional level, while contributing a considerable amount of time outside of class helping them with their course work and developing their research ideas." Howell holds degrees from Georgia College and Mississippi State.
David Shaw, Research Award. He was termed by one colleague as "the most able and productive young weed scientist in the South and among the top two or three young weed scientists in the world." He also was credited "with helping transform Mississippi State's weed science program into one of the leading programs in the South and among the very best in research and teaching in the country." Shaw has attracted more than $3 million in research projects focusing on safe, effective and economical weed management programs. He holds degrees from Cameron and Oklahoma State universities.
Alumni Association Executive Director John Correro said the annual banquet is meant to recognize more than just five winners.
"Because the Faculty Recognition Program honors each and every member of the Mississippi State University faculty, this probably is the most satisfying of all the events and activities we support each year," said Correro. "We honor not only those who receive awards, but each faculty member who prepares our students for brighter futures, whose research enhances the lives of all people and whose public service is making Mississippi a better place to live."