Dr. Richard Morris

Dr. Richard Morris, professor in the School of Communication Science & Disorders (SCSD), has won a FSU Undergraduate Teaching Award for the second time.  He was also selected for this award in 2000-01.  Morris said, “I appreciate this award as it is initiated by the students and lets me know that they find value in what I teach in the classroom.”

Morris began working with the Communication Disorders department at FSU in August 1988.  He conducts research on the acoustics, physiology, and perception of voice and speech; teaches courses in anatomy and physiology, acoustics for speech and hearing, voice disorders, seminars on acoustics and voice/speech/ singing.  Morris also advises undergraduate students, and serves on university as well as other professional committees.  Since August 1994, he has been responsible for directing the School’s Speech and Voice Laboratory.

The FSU Teaching Awards program recognizes faculty for excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching.  Recipients must be outstanding in many aspects of teaching which contribute to successful teaching and learning.  It is a student-oriented award with nominations submitted by students and alumni. Each recipient receives $2,000 along with the award.

Past and current award winners are listed by college at: provost.fsu.edu/faculty/awards/univ_teach

Congratulations to the latest FSU young alumni recognized for their outstanding accomplishments by the Alumni Association’s Thirty Under 30 Award.  Winners have demonstrated exceptional achievement and significant contributions to his or her profession, community/society or university.  From that 30, up to six honorees may be chosen to also receive the Reubin O’D. Askew Young Alumni Award by members of the Alumni Association National Board of Directors Awards Committee. The Askew Award, presented for the first time in the spring of 2012, is the highest honor bestowed upon young alumni by the Alumni Association.   The two College of Communication & Information students recognized were:

• Amanda Spann (B.S. ’09),  Black Girls Hack, Washington, District of Columbia  [BS & BA, Merchandising, Communication Studies]
• Natalie Binder (B.A. ’06, M.L.I.S. ’11), Librarian, Jefferson County R.J. Bailar Public Library, Monticello, Fla.  [MLIS, Library and Information Science]

Nominations for the Thirty Under 30 Award are typically accepted in the fall. For information about the application process, please check back closer to that time or contact Dawn Randle at drandle@fsu.edu.

For the complete list, see: one.fsu.edu/community/thirtyunder30

The 2013 Academic Affairs Employee Recognition Awards Ceremony was held on April 30.  This event recognizes employees who have:

• served 10, 20, 30, and 35 years at the university with Sustained Service Awards,
• recognized with a Gabor Superior Accomplishment Award,
• and been highlighted as Exemplary Service Awards (awarded through nominations from Division employees and chosen by a committee comprised of past award winners).

The College of Communication and Information (CCI) employees recognized were:

• Mary Ealey – Twenty Years of Service to FSU
• Ercelle Fishburn – Twenty Years of Service to FSU
• Erica Heasley – Ten Years of Service to FSU
• Elaine Howard – 2013 Gabor Award Nominee & Exemplary Service Award Nominee
• Robert Levine – Twenty Years of Service to FSU

In addition, Michele Kiker, who is employed through the Office of Undergraduate Studies and serves as an undergraduate advisor for CCI, and Matthew Mortimer (SLIS, UG ’08), who is employed by Information Technology Services, were recognized for Ten Years of Service to FSU.

CCI Dean Larry Dennis was at the event to thank the recipients.  He said, “Congratulations to our CCI winners; their commitment to providing outstanding service to our College, students, and faculty is proudly being recognized.  It is their hard work and dedication that makes us successful.”

The Division of Academic Affairs, the largest division on campus, includes:

• Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
• All Colleges and Schools, including Panama City Campus
• Office of the Vice President for Planning and Programs
• Office of the Vice President for Faculty Development and Advancement
• Ringling/Asolo Conservatory
• Florida High-DRS
• International Programs
• Undergraduate Studies
• The Graduate School
• Office of Distance Learning
• University Libraries
• Center for Academic and Professional Development
• Information Technology Services (ITS)
• Admissions/Registrar/Financial Aid
• Institutes and Centers at FSU (100+)

Congratulations to the following 13 CCI students who were inducted on April 25 into the Garnet & Gold Scholar Society– we are very proud of your accomplishments!  This Society facilitates involvement and recognizes the engaged, well-rounded student who excels within and beyond the classroom in the areas of Leadership, Internship, Service, International, and Research.  A student who has met the criteria in three of the five areas and writes an approved Synthesis Reflection is eligible for consideration.  For more information about Garnet & Gold Scholar society, visit: garnetandgoldscholar.fsu.edu

Spring 2013 Inductees from the College of Communication and Information

• Heather Baum, Communication Science and Disorders
• Matty Budesa, Media/Communication Studies (2nd major)
• Leen Doumet, Media/Communication Studies
• Kelsey Hendershott, Communication Science and Disorders
• Heather Mazzola, Communication Science and Disorders
• Desirae Ott, Communication Science and Disorders
• Jake Poteat, Media/Communication Studies
• Megan Raesemann, Communication Science and Disorders
• Matt Russi, Information Technology
• Amanda Saxton, Media/Communication Studies
• Jillian Tapper, Media/Communication Studies
• Christopher Waldeck, Media/Communication Studies
• Sara White, Media/Communication Studies (2nd major)

The Florida State University has received a $573,554 grant award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for a collaborative project between the PALM Center at the School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) and the Autism Institute at the College of Medicine.

Project PALS (Panhandle Autism Library Services) is a two-year program to improve information services for rural library patrons who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

During the past two decades, ASD has become the largest growing disability in the U.S. with one in 88 children facing significant social, vocational and educational challenges. Those with ASD may have difficulties with social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, behavior and interests.

Because libraries are low stress, structured places that offer resources to participate in self-directed learning, connect with others and explore employment, they have been identified as excellent environments for those with ASD. However, there is no research and little information to ensure that this growing, underserved population will be successful in library settings.

Funded by the IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program and led by faculty at two schools within the College of Communication & Information, Project PALS will develop and offer four research-based, professional development modules that will teach librarians how to better serve patrons with ASD.

Project co-directors Dr. Nancy Everhart (SLIS) and Dr. Juliann Woods (School of Communication Science & Disorders) are both national leaders in their respective fields, known for their research in the evaluation of programs.

Everhart, who is director of the PALM (Partnerships Advancing Library Media) Center, will lead the management and implementation of the project, which includes consultants and advisors at the FSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, the Panhandle Library Access Network, the Scotch Plains (New Jersey) Public Library’s “Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected” project, Syracuse University’s Project ENABLE, and others.

Woods, associate director for research to practice at the Autism Institute, will lend her expertise from the development of the Autism Navigator, a web-based early-detection tool that aids service providers in recognizing and serving children with ASD. She will be integrally involved in the development and field-testing of an Autism Navigator for Librarians to ensure its maximum effectiveness.

Three students will be supported to work on the project and at least 170 librarians will participate in the development and testing of the modules, which will be freely available to the general public.