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- Dr. George Acquaah, professor and chair of the Department of Agriculture and natural Resources at Langston University, has demonstrated exemplary qualities through the creative use of leadership and scholarship to implement a comprehensive, integrated and sustainable mechanism for enhancing the participation of minorities in agricultural education and related professions. The author of seven textbooks, one of which has been translated into Chinese, Dr.Acquaah holds a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Genetics from Michigan State University. Under his effective leadership, the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources has been transformed and has been recognized both nationally and internationally. He is the recipient of the inaugural 2006 National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) NOBEL Award and in 2003 received the Millennium Award for Teaching Excellence, the White House Initiative on Historical Black Colleges and Universities.
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- One might expect to find Dr. Wei R.Chen, theoretical physicist, cancer researcher, holder of five US patents and numerous international patents, and publisher of 54 peer- reviewed papers to be associated with a preeminent research university. Actually Dr. Chen brings his rich research experience and enthusiasm of learning into classrooms at the University of Central Oklahoma. As a leading expert in laser induced immunological response and laser immunotherapy treatment of metastatic tumors, he has developed a life-saving cancer treatment. However, his life’s work is not dedicated just to his research, but to his students, as he continues to teach and engage his students in the research and learning process. In fact, 18 of his students have co-authored research articles with him. His expertise was instrumental in helping the UCO Department of Physics and Engineering to establish the first and the only Biomedical Engineering and undergraduate program in Oklahoma in 2001. He worked tirelessly as the director of the Biomedical Engineering program, which now has more than 70 majors, from 2001 to 2006. Now he serves as the Assistant Dean of College of Mathematics and Science at UCO, at the same time serve as a professor at the Department of Physics and Engineering at UCO, continuing his teaching and research.
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- In Northern Oklahoma College, there is no lack of visual and creative arts because of the tenacity and resourcefulness of Audrey Schmitz. Ms. Schmitz is the Director of the Eleanor Hays Art Gallery and as such has developed and/or coordinated more than 55 exhibits which give the students an opportunity to utilize the gallery as an alternative learning space. The gallery has significantly impacted the creative culture of the surrounding communities in a manner rarely accessible to a rural community. Specializing in ceramics, sculpture and fine art photography, her creative leadership has enhanced the quality of life through amazing exhibits and the recruitment of distinguished artists.
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- Breaking the traditional teaching mold, Dr. Kippi Wyatt, Associate Professor of Optometry at Northeastern State University continuously improves the quality of the students’ classroom experience through experimentation with course content, presentation style, and diverse learning strategies. Her challenge has been to change traditional lecture oriented courses to student centered courses in a rigorous professional program requiring passage of a national standardize licensing examination. Her unique teaching methods resulted in her receiving the 2006 Oklahoma Higher Education Teaching and Learning Conference Excellence in Teaching Award at NSU. Utilizing the latest technologies, Dr. Wyatt’s innovative style keeps the students engaged throughout the learning process which has led to their exceptional performance on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry licensing examination.
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