University of Wisconsin Oshkosh faculty and staff were welcomed and recognized for their accomplishments and contributions at the annual Opening Day assembly Sept. 3.
Honors conferred for the 2013-2014 academic year included Endowed Professorships, Rosebush Professorships, Distinguished Teaching Awards, Sniffen Faculty Governance Service Award, Outstanding Service Awards and Outstanding Performance Awards.
The recipients are as follows:
Endowed Professorship
Endowed professorships are awarded to faculty members who demonstrate outstanding research and engagement in community service. Funded by local sponsors, the awards support research projects and professional development for a four-year term.
- Eric Hiatt, Professor, Geology
Eric Hiatt is an accomplished scholar, excellent teacher and outstanding ambassador of UW Oshkosh. He is an internationally recognized researcher with dozens of published research papers, many with student co-authors, in major international peer-reviewed scientific journals. He has co-authored many abstracts at national and international conferences, taught international professional short courses and has advised government officials in Australia and South America on matters of natural resources. Because the origin and nature of energy resources, aspects of global climate change and evolution of life on Earth are all vitally important — perhaps today more than ever — Hiatt believes geoscientists have a special responsibility to convey accurate information to the public and include key information regarding natural resources in courses. He uses innovative teaching methods and people from all over the world download his physical geology lecture podcasts. He teaches field-based courses in Bermuda and the Florida Keys that deal with modern environments, oceanography, geology and environmental impacts. Hiatt is an associate editor for the Journal of Marine and Petroleum Geology, an adjunct professor at both Queen’s and Acadia universities in Canada and has an outstanding record of service to the community, University, national and international academic communities.
Hiatt is the recipient of the 2013 Curwood Inc. Endowed Professorship.
Hiatt earned his bachelor’s degree in geology from Indiana University–Purdue University at Indianapolis and his doctoral degree in geology from the University of Colorado.
- Robert Kunkel Professor, Finance Robert
Kunkel’s accomplishments and teaching track record make him a highly respected ambassador of UW Oshkosh. Kunkel teaches classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels and is a leading researcher in his field on the topics of personal finance, investments and market anomalies. Kunkel has had 19 refereed journal publications and 10 research presentations during his time at UW Oshkosh. For his cross-disciplinary research, Kunkel has also received six research grants. Kunkel served as the department chair from 2006 until 2009. He also serves on the board of directors for the Bethel Foundation of Oshkosh, as chair of the asset-liability committee for the UW Oshkosh Credit Union, as the faculty adviser of the UW Oshkosh Finance Club and on the editorial board for Managerial Finance and the Journal of Business and Economic Perspectives. Kunkel is the recipient of the 2013 Alberta Kimball Foundation Endowed Professorship.
Kunkel earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Illinois–Champaign, his master’s degree in business from Western Illinois University, a master’s degree in economics and his doctorate in business administration from the University of Tennessee–Knoxville.
Rosebush Professorship
The John McNaughton Rosebush Professorship recognizes UW Oshkosh faculty members for teaching, professional achievement and public service. Nominees are considered in a selection process by a panel representing all University governance groups.
- William Mode Professor, Geology
William Mode is an outstanding example of a faculty member who has established strong connections between teaching and research. He has completed 17 field expeditions to the Arctic to study the history of climate and glaciation as well as many field seasons studying these topics in Wisconsin and Colorado. He has collaborated with more than 50 students through independent studies, research projects and laboratory and field assistantships. Mode’s service to the University includes his role as department chair since 1999 and his participation in new student orientation; he also formerly served as an associate dean in the College of Letters and Science as well as serving on numerous committees. Currently, he is the chair of the Wisconsin Geology Examining Board and serves on the Wisconsin Mapping Advisory Board. Additionally, within the community, Mode frequently leads workshops and gives talks to school groups and organizations about topics such as the Arctic and glacial geology.
Mode earned his bachelor’s degree in geology from Augustana College, master’s degrees in geology and water resources management from UW–Madison and his doctorate in geology from the University of Colorado–Boulder.
Edward M. Penson
Distinguished Teaching Award
Edward M. Penson Distinguished Teaching Award recipients are selected based on their teaching excellence, service, professional commitment and scholarly growth. A committee of faculty, students and staff determines who will receive the honor.
- J. Ben Arbaugh Professor, Management
J. Ben Arbaugh believes in designing and conducting his courses with conclusions drawn from research. Teaching at the graduate level, Arbaugh is known for connecting with his students through his passion for his field. He is also known as a prominent expert in his field in the area of online education. Arbaugh has been cited and acknowledged in many management journals making a national impact in the area of business education; he has also won numerous “best paper” awards. He serves on the editorial boards for the Academy of Management Learning & Education, Journal of Management Education, Decision Sciences Journal of Innovation Education and The Internet and Higher Education. Arbaugh’s many University service activities include service on the Graduate Council, Online Course Policy group, board of directors of the UW Oshkosh Alumni Association and Institutional Research.
Arbaugh earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Marshall University, his master’s in business administration from Wright State University, master of arts from the Ohio State University and his doctorate in business strategy from the Ohio State University.
- Jayalakshmi Jambunathan Professor, Nursing
A highly valued faculty member at UW Oshkosh since 1987, Jaya Jambunathan excels in teaching, scholarship and service to the University and community. She is involved in numerous scholarly activities that support her teaching to both undergraduate and graduate students. She has taught in the traditional and accelerated undergraduate program and currently teaches in the MSN and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. Jambunathan has been an adviser to numerous graduate student theses, clinical papers and doctoral student capstone projects. She enthusiastically makes time to learn technological innovations to use in her teaching. Committed to enhancing international relationships between UW Oshkosh and universities in India, she has authored and co-authored several successful grants to either bring nurse educators from India to the College of Nursing as collaborative faculty or set up intensive community health clinicals with several agencies in India. She was a co-principal on a Robert Wood Johnson grant on Innovations in Nursing Education. Jambunathan regularly publishes and presents research on a variety of topics related to her specialty of mental health and in nursing education. She has also co-authored papers with graduate students. Jambunathan has served in various roles with the Eta Pi chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International and is an active member of the Midwest Nursing Research Society on the research section advisory committee and the Wisconsin Nurses Association Research Committee. She also serves as a research consultant at Winnebago Mental Health Institute.
Jambunathan earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from UW Oshkosh, her master’s degree in nursing with an emphasis in primary health care from UW Oshkosh and her doctorate in nursing from UW–Milwaukee.
- David Jones Professor, Criminal Justice
For more than 30 years, David Jones has been a valued member of the Criminal Justice department at UW Oshkosh where he serves as department chair. He has taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in a total of 19 different subjects. As an advocate for a liberal arts education, Jones challenges his students through encouraging and assigning writing. As a scholar of constitutional law, Jones has been involved with more than 30 publications and more than 40 papers at scholarly conferences frequently incorporating his findings into his teachings. During his years at UW Oshkosh, he has served on many committees, most notably on several that focus on student needs including the Liberal Education Reform Team, the University Studies Committee, the Student Academic Committee and as a long-time adviser of the Student Criminal Justice Association.
Jones earned his bachelor’s degree in government from Carleton College, his master’s degree in political science from Duke University and his doctorate in political science from the University of Kansas.
- Timothy Paulsen Professor, Geology
A true teaching gem, Timothy Paulsen has been teaching at the University since 1999. His passion and enthusiasm for geology serves to inspire students and makes him an outstanding educator. He believes in integrating materials from his research into the classroom to help students learn and discover. Since his arrival at UW Oshkosh in 1999, Paulsen has published 31 refereed scientific papers and has co-authored 46 abstracts at national and international conferences. He collaborates with scientists from an array of national and international institutions as well as with students at UW Oshkosh. Paulsen serves as the director of the capstone geology class, which is an intense, six-week field immersion course taught each summer in Utah, Wyoming and Nevada. Public outreach through lectures and media engagements is also important to Paulsen. He is the adviser for Sigma Gamma Epsilon and is involved with the geology department in his role as undergraduate student adviser.
Paulsen earned his bachelor’s degree in geology and geophysics from UW–Madison and his doctorate in geology from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.
Sniffen Faculty Governance Service Award
The Barbara G. Sniffen Faculty Governance Service Award recognizes faculty members who have exceptional University service records.
- Jayalakshmi Jambunathan Professor, Nursing
In her more than 25 years at UW Oshkosh, Jaya Jambunathan has given tirelessly of her talents through service to UW Oshkosh. At the College level, she is the director of Research and Evaluation. She also chairs the Research and Professional Development Committee, the College of Nursing Personnel Committee, the Promotions Committee and the Evaluation Committee. She is also a member of several other committees. At the University level, she has been involved with several search and screen committees, the Endowed Professorship Committee, the Biodigester Research Committee, the Graduate Council, Salary Equity Review Committee and many more committees. Jambunathan served as the president of the Eta Pi chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International twice. Beyond UW Oshkosh, she is involved with many professional organizations including the Wisconsin Nurses Association, the Midwest Nursing Research Society, the American Nurses Association’s Council of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing and has served as a board member of the Winnebago County Mental Health Association.
Jambunathan earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from UW Oshkosh, her master’s degree in nursing with an emphasis in primary health care from UW Oshkosh and her doctorate in nursing from UW–Milwaukee.
Outstanding Service Award
UW Oshkosh has many nonteaching faculty and academic staff members whose contributions enhance the University’s overall academic environment and support our educational goals. The Outstanding Service Award recognizes excellence of service that touches each member of the University community.
- Cynthia Fruhwirth Assistant Director of Academic Advising, Undergraduate Advising Resource Center
With the University for more than 16 years, Cindy Fruhwirth is dedicated to student success. Most notably, Fruhwirth put UW Oshkosh on the map with the top-notch Peer Advising Liaisons (PALs) program, which she created and grew. The PALs program provides walk-in support and answers to questions about general education, degrees, campus policies and more for students by students. The success of the program led to her election as the national Academic Advising Association’s Peer Advising Commission Chair. Additionally, Fruhwirth has worked extensively with her team of pre-business advisers and the College of Business to build strong relationships and improve the student experience. Fruhwirth has served on the Senate of Academic Staff’s executive board, on the team responsible for developing and implementing the Titan Transfer Center and on several other campus-wide committees.
Fruhwirth earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing and commercial art from UW Oshkosh.
- Deborah Matulle Academic Planner, Division of Finance and Administration
In a constantly changing and challenging environment, Deb Matulle is the constant when it comes to dependability, expertise and creativity in her transition to the University’s academic planner. In her role, she’s responsible for leading Lean processing and cost-recovery efforts, developing budgets and serving as liaison for campus cashiering, refunding and payment systems. Matulle came to UW Oshkosh in 1989 as a fiscal clerk in student accounts and has since worked in a variety of roles dedicating herself to understanding policies and regulations in the educational process. Since, she’s led efforts to evolve technology on campus and has helped create online bill pay and direct deposit options for students. Matulle is a member of the UW System Information Technology Management Council and the Senate of Academic Staff where she is the liaison to the Oshkosh Student Association. She’s also involved with the Student Information System Team, Education Advisory Board Campus Team and Enrollment Management Team.
Matulle earned her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from UW Oshkosh.
- Marty Strand Assistant Director for Dining Operations, Reeve Union
Marty Strand is known for his dedication to students, faculty, staff and campus guests at UW Oshkosh. He oversees nine campus dining locations, which serve nearly 5,000 meals per day. He is customer service-focused and has even developed the nickname among students as “Uncle Marty” because of his student-centered approach. Strand is a key player in the University’s new student orientation program, Odyssey, and frequently speaks to classes in the environmental studies program about food service operations. Strand is dedicated to the sustainability efforts on campus; he serves on the Sustainability Council, Fair Trade Committee and Campus Energy Team. He has helped develop the Sustainability Adviser program and worked on the Feed the Beast Campaign to bring food waste to the biodigester. Strand is also certified by the National Association of College Auxiliary Services and is involved with Fall Fest on the Fox, the Dragonboat Race and Festival and Homecoming. In the greater community, Strand is behind the weekly fish fries at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church.
Strand earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from UW Oshkosh.
Outstanding Performance Award
The University’s Outstanding Performance Award recognizes exemplary members of the classified staff whose activities, accomplishments and service are most deserving of acknowledgement.
- Dawn Abraham Research Grants Manager, Division of Finance and Administration
During her 15 years at UW Oshkosh, Dawn Abraham’s role has crossed into all departments and academic areas. In her role, she provides assistance, guidance and essential information to those who are in the process of writing and submitting research grants to various governmental agencies with the goal of simply helping people. Abraham provides exceptional service to everyone she comes in contact with through her knowledge of complex federal regulations, fiscal guidelines, attention to detail and follow-up. Her hope is to make complex processes less painful for those she works with. Abraham has served on many committees and teams including search and screen committees, the Intranet Task Force, the External Grants Expansion Team and was a Classified Staff Day presenter for many years. Within the community, Abraham volunteers as a photographer for Aurora Medical Center and was one of the artists to design a nutcracker for the community-wide public art project.
Abraham earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Northern Michigan University and her master’s degree in business from Silver Lake College.
- Barbara Kargus University Services Program Associate, Student Success Center
Barb Kargus has served UW Oshkosh with care, dedication and professionalism since 1985. The caring heart and soul of the University’s Counseling Center, which houses many programs, starts with Kargus. She is a patient and kind student-focused customer service provider who strives to get the right answers for each of the students she encounters. Kargus is responsible for overseeing a team of students, providing orientation to new employees, scheduling, identifying at-risk students, organizing budget paper work, assisting in the coordination of outreach materials and much, much more — many times in the midst of high-stress situations within the Counseling Center. Kargus has developed significant technical skills in her ever expanding role. She manages the electronic medical records database, which includes training staff, coordinating upgrades, creating forms and generating statistical reports. Additionally, Kargus is the chair for the Quality Circle of Student Affairs, the co-chair for the Awards and Recognition Committee and has previously served as a Classified Staff Team Building and Personal Development Program and Classified Staff Advisory Council member.
- Carol Kozlowski University Conference Coordinator, Gruenhagen Conference Center
Carol Kozlowski is responsible for planning and coordinating many major events on the UW Oshkosh campus, a job she approaches with passion, conviction and a true sense of service to guests. Kozlowski has served the needs of an estimated 20,000 guests during her 14 years on campus. She also oversees the hiring, training and ongoing supervision of students who work at Gruenhagen. Kozlowski also leads the Manager on Duty program, which is a point of excellence within UW Oshkosh conferencing operations. Kozlowski has done particularly great work in coordinating the annual Oshkosh Placement Exchange, which brings more than 1,200 attendees to the on-campus conference, and as part of the team that brought Badger Girls State to UW Oshkosh in 2003. Kozlowski earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education from UW–Stevens Point.
- Michael Parks Technology Manager, College of Nursing
Mike Parks is a dedicated and important member of the administrative support team within the College of Nursing. During his time with the college, Parks has increased the number of podcasts available to students and staff, eased frustration through his in-depth knowledge base and network and set in motion ideas for the Learning Lab and Sim Lab, with the goal of increasing the success rate of students. Parks has also been instrumental in implementing many electronic processes that have helped the College more toward a more paperless and sustainable system. He is known for being a leader who goes above and beyond to complete any task and he is dedicated to professionalism in each project he undertakes. This summer, he taught as part of the PreCollege Enrichment Program, which is aimed at helping young students prepare for college. Beyond his service at the University, Parks has participated in many community fundraising activities including walks to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness, the Oshkosh Community Dragonboat Race & Festival and more.
Parks earned his bachelor’s degree in organizational administration and his master’s degree in public administration from UW Oshkosh.
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