CWU Music Professor Named Phi Kappa Phi Scholar of the Year

May 23, 2008

ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- The CWU chapter of Phi Kappa Phi has named music professor Jeffrey Snedeker as its 2008 Scholar of the Year. The award is presented annually to a faculty member who has shown excellence in teaching, research, public outreach and contribution to the university. Snedeker will receive the award during a ceremony on May 29 at 4 p.m. in Black Hall, room 151. He will also give a talk titled "Practice Makes Product: Aspects of Scholarship in Music."

Snedeker, a horn professor, has worked at CWU since 1991 and earned tenure in 1995. During his time at Central, he's enhanced an already excellent Department of Music, said Chair Peter Gries.

"It is difficult for me to imagine anyone more deserving of this award than Dr. Snedeker; he matches the criteria extraordinarily well," Gries said.

Snedeker spent three years, from 2004 to 2007, as the associate chair of the department, assumed all responsibilities as the department's graduate advisor and coordinator, spent five years as the editor of The Horn Call, an International Horn Society scholarly journal, founded the Northwest Horn Society, served on the CWU executive committee of the Faculty Senate and holds the principal horn chair in the Yakima Symphony Orchestra.

"Dr. Snedeker has a truly impressive range of accomplishments in his 18 years at Central," said Barry Donahue, president of the CWU Phi Kappa Phi chapter. "In addition to being an accomplished horn player, he has a solid record of publication and scholarly presentation in his field. In addition, his contributions to young musicians throughout the state and his service to the university have been outstanding."

Snedeker said he appreciates receiving the award because it reaffirms the effort he's put into his job over the years.

"It makes the long, extra hours it takes to do this sort of work worthwhile," he said. "I am proud and humbled to be acknowledged with this award, knowing full well that there are many deserving individuals on this campus, including in my own department."

Phi Kappa Phi is the oldest and largest national honor society. CWU established its chapter in 1976 to recognize and encourage superior scholarship.

Media Contact: Becky Watson, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, bwatson@cwu.edu, 509-963-1416

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.