CWU Names 2006-07 Distinguished Professors

ELLENSBURG - Central Washington University has announced its 2006-07 Distinguished Professor award winners. They are: Dr. Vince Nethery, exercise science, Distinguished Professor for Teaching; Dr. Jan Bowers, family and consumer sciences, Distinguished Professor for Public Service; and Keith Lewis, art, Distinguished Professor for Artistic Accomplishment.

Excellence in teaching takes many forms, and the evidence presented on behalf of Nethery demonstrated a unique, distinct pattern of achievement. Students uniformly expressed appreciation for his superlative lectures mixed with empirical learning, coupled with his high expectations of them.

"I'm passionate about the subject matter I teach -- human structure and function -- and how personal lifestyle behaviors, such as physical activity and nutrition, affect quality of life," Nethery says. "I expect students in the major programs I teach to be equally as passionate."

The success of his exercise science students -- he's individually met with all 140 before they gain admission to the major -- is his first concern. Nethery routinely does all that he can both inside and outside the classroom to help them achieve their goals, such as guiding collaborative research projects; mentoring the student exercise science club; and seeking out internships for students.

As the director of the exercise science-testing laboratory, Nethery's accomplishments are also laudable. The lab, where Nethery's graduate students supervise undergraduates as they assess clients' physical conditioning, was described as "client centered and professional," further demonstrating Nethery's guidance in application of their knowledge.

"Challenging students to understand not just what happens, but why it happens is a major focus of the classes I teach," he adds. " University students are challenging, unpredictable, occasionally frustrating, but incredibly rewarding to work with. If I could start life all over again, I would not trade this career for anything."

"The family and consumer sciences discipline was founded by women with a strong commitment to the welfare of their communities." Bowers points out, which is part of the reason why she has made public service a priority from the first days of her faculty assignment.

On campus, Bowers, chair of the family and consumer sciences department, has spearheaded public service efforts in character education, where she has helped define and disseminate curriculum. Bowers has also been involved in civic engagement leadership through the "American Democracy Project" initiative, which seeks to develop a new generation of students who are prepared to undertake their roles as citizens in a democracy.

"Family and consumer sciences education provides us opportunities to integrate knowledge and citizenship development with healthy living practices for the home and community," she says.

For five years, Bowers has also worked to institutionalize the concept and practice of "academic service learning" at Central.

Off campus, she has consulted the Washington state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction on issues related to parenting and teen pregnancy.

In addition, Bowers has been actively involved in a wide variety of prominent associations including the National Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Educators, American Vocational Association, Family and Consumer Sciences Education Leadership Academy, in addition to Career and Community Leaders of America, through its years of evolution from the Future Homemakers of America.

"I was fortunate to have professional and personal role models who mentored and nurtured me," Bowers acknowledges.

Lewis says he is very pleased to receive the award because of the respect for his work and his field that it implies. His art has long addressed the difficulties, rewards and sorrows of simply being human, from his earlier work addressing the concepts of alienation, grief, identity and nostalgia to his more recent work focusing on ancient Roman art and culture. He has made art that has been accessible, arresting and recognized as both significant and innovative.

"CWU has always allowed me to pursue my work fully and independently, despite the sometimes controversial subject matter," he says. "Unfettered academic inquiry and expression is incredibly precious to any scholar or artist. I'm proud of CWU for being willing to offer it's faculty that intellectual and academic freedom."

His scholarly and artistic reputation is evidenced by the frequent exhibition of his work in national and international venues, and reviews by and features in respected disciplinary journals and books, including "Metalsmith," an influential journal within his artistic specialization. In a major review article, Lewis was highlighted in its Winter 2004 issue.

Lewis is also actively involved in fostering interest in and setting the direction of his field. He is a frequent invited speaker and visiting artist at universities, craft schools and guilds all over the country. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Society of North American Goldsmiths and as chair and a member of the Metalsmith Editorial Advisory Board.

The CWU alumni association and board of trustees, which approved the selections during its May meeting, co-sponsor the annual awards program. The three distinguished professors will receive their awards at the university Honors Convocation Friday, June 9. In addition, each will receive a $2,500 monetary award. CWU initiated the distinguished professor program in 1977 to honor faculty members who excel in teaching, research/artistic accomplishment and public service. Including the three latest awards winners, 73 faculty members have now been honored by CWU.

Contact: David L. Soltz (509-963-1400/fax 509-963-2025/e-mail: soltzd@cwu.edu)