04.29.05

Outstanding Alumni, Faculty and Students Honored at Annual Awards Ceremony

By Mike Frontiero
VCU School of Education
April 29, 2005

Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Education bestowed awards and scholarships on outstanding alumni, faculty and students at its annual Awards Ceremony for the 2004-2005 academic year.

VCU School of Education Alumni Award winners, from left, Dr. Patricia J. Wright, Robert Almond, and Lynne Bennett.

Alumni awards were presented by School of Education Alumni Board President Stephanie Holt.  

• Dr. Patricia I. Wright was presented the Service to Education award for her dedication to education. She has more than 20 years of experience in the Virginia Department of Education where she is the Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction. Wright received her master’s degree in Mathematics Education from VCU. She has provided leadership and technical assistance in the areas of elementary, middle, secondary, and compensatory education; career and technical education; and adult education and literacy. Wright served as a leader in the development and revision of the Virginia Standards of Learning and the state’s educational accountability system. She has worked in designing and implementing the K-12 components of the “Education for a Lifetime” program and is the Department of Education’s policy coordinator for the No Child Left Behind Act. Since 1997, Wright has coordinated a $34 million statewide professional development initiative for mathematics, science, English, and history social science. She also has coordinated the state’s purchase of more than 200,000 graphing calculators for middle and high schools in support of the mathematics and science Standards of Learning. Wright is involved in numerous state, regional, and national committees and boards and has consulted on international programs.
  
• Robert Almond received the Service to the Alumni Board for his outstanding participation and support of the board. Almond received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education and his Master of Education degree in educational administration and supervision from VCU. During his 31-year career, he has been a classroom teacher, department head, program coordinator, assistant principal, grants administrative manager, director, and special projects coordinator. He recently retired from the Virginia Department of Education. Almond has been a member of the alumni board for 10 years and has served as president, vice-president, treasurer, and officer at large. He has been involved in and chaired many of the major events that raise money for scholarships.
  
• Lynne Bennett won the Service to the Community award for her involvement in various educational and community events. Bennett has her Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education and a Master of Education degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from VCU. She has nearly 20 years of experience as a classroom teacher and instructional specialist in the Chesterfield County Public Schools system. Bennett was president of the Matoaca PTA for two years and membership chair for two years. She also has been the PTA teacher representative from Midlothian Middle School. Bennett has been a Girl Scout troop assistant leader for two years, served on numerous educational committees, and is the Chair-elect for the Chesterfield Coalition for active Children.

VCU School of Education Faculty Award winners, from left, Dr. John A. Rossi, Dr. Kevin S. Sutherland, and Dr. Maike I. Philipsen.

Faculty awards were presented by School of Education Dean William C. Bosher, Ph.D., and Associate Dean Beverly J. Warren, Ph.D.

• Associate Professor of Foundations of Education Maike I. Philipsen, Ph.D. received the Teaching Award for her on-going commitment to quality instruction. Students comment on her ability to engage students in thought provoking discussions and in applying theory to real world applications. Faculty note her enthusiasm and passion for teaching, and her use of innovative teaching styles. Her newly developed seminar class on educational issues has received praise from doctoral students as a course that deals with critical issues in educational policies and practices.
  
• Associate Professor of Special Education and Disability Policy Kevin S. Sutherland, Ph.D., was presented the Scholarship Award for effectively blending his scholarship initiatives with his teaching in the area of emotional disturbance. In the last academic year, he published five books or book chapters, five national and international journal articles, and delivered two national and international presentations. His department chair praises his work indicating that “Dr. Sutherland is writing the right types of articles with the right coauthors for the right publications.” Sutherland also was awarded funding for two major grants dealing with personnel preparation in work with students with emotional disturbance.
  
• Associate Professor and interim director of Ph.D. Studies in Education John A. Rossi, Ph.D., won the Service Award for exceeding the normal expectations of faculty in the area of service activities over the last two academic years. In a transition year from the former Division of Teacher Education to the Department of Teaching and Learning, Rossi served as the first chair of the newly formed department. According to his colleagues, Rossi provided leadership and vision while fulfilling the many practicalities of the position of chair. His colleagues describe him as a source of stability and order in a time of change. In this academic year, he left the department chair position and took on another leadership role as the interim director of the Ph.D. Studies in Education program. He also is serving as co-chair in the search for an Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs. Rossi remains active in his professional discipline at state, regional and national levels. He serves as director of the Virginia Center for the Teaching of International Studies and is a methods instructor at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C. Rossi has long been recognized for his outstanding service to his department, school, university and professional discipline and was a recipient of the Service Award in the 2000-2001 academic year.

VCU School of Education students Laura Davenport (left) and Heather Miller hold their scholarship certificates. Twenty-five students were awarded scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000. Photos by Mike Frontiero.

Scholarships were awarded to 25 graduate and undergraduate students who met minimum GPA requirements and submitted winning essays and letters of recommendation.

A total of 58 applications were considered by the School of Education Scholarship Committee. The awards ranged from $500 to $5,000 and can be used to cover tuition costs in the 2005-2006 academic year.

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