USI Foundation Teaching by Adjunct Faculty Award
Lisa M. Beutler-Jones, Adjunct in Communications, College of Liberal Arts
Lisa M. Beutler-Jones is the recipient of the USI Foundation Outstanding Teaching by Adjunct Faculty Award, which recognizes the commitment to providing the best educational experience for students at the University of Southern Indiana. She is being honored for her compassion and overall love of teaching. Ms. Beutler-Jones received bachelor of music and master of music degrees from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in 1980 and 1984 respectively. Her professional experience includes private vocal instruction, dance, and academic instruction at USI since 2002.
University of Southern Indiana Distinguished Professor Award
Dr. Stephen Zehr, Professor of Sociology, College of Liberal Arts
Dr. Stephen C. Zehr, professor of sociology, is the 2017 recipient of the Distinguished Professor Award. He is being honored for his research, service and teaching in the fields of sociology and science and technology studies..
Zehr began his career at USI in 1994 as assistant professor of sociology. In 1997, he became associate professor of sociology and, in 2006, professor of sociology. He has served as chair of the Sociology Department and as interim director of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program.
While at USI, Zehr has served on 38 University, college or department committees, of which he chaired 10. He has served in a variety of administrative roles or memberships with national and international professional organizations including the American Sociological Association, Society for Social Studies of Science (4S), and U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Most notably, he was appointed secretary for4S and program officer and interim expert for the NSF Program in Science, Technology and Society.
In all, Zehr has secured seven grants including two NSF grants; published 13 articles and book chapters, five book reviews, and edited three syllabi collections; and reviewed research manuscripts and grant proposals for 22 scientific journals and funding agencies. He also has served on numerous NSF panels and site review teams. Zehr’s research addresses questions on how scientific expertise is constructed in environmental controversies as they are represented in the media and policy deliberations.
Zehr graduated magna cum laude from State University College of New York at Potsdam in 1981 and, in 1990, completed a doctorate in sociology with a minor in the history and philosophy of science from Indiana University.
Prior to USI, Zehr was a visiting assistant professor of sociology at Union College in Schenectady, New York and assistant professor of sociology at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois.
The Distinguished Professor Award was established in 1983 and is given in recognition of significant achievement in teaching, scholarship and service. As a recipient, Zehr will receive a $15,000 stipend underwritten by generous donors to the USI Foundation. He also will deliver the address at one of USI’s Fall Commencement ceremonies.
H. Lee Cooper Core Curriculum Teaching Award
Robert Millard-Mendez, Professor of Art, College of Liberal Arts
Robert Millard-Mendez, professor of art in the Art and Design Department, is the 2017 recipient of the H. Lee Cooper Core Curriculum Teaching Award. He is being honored for his embodiment of creative instruction in teaching students how to be more creative themselves.
Millard-Mendez began his career at USI in 2006 as assistant professor of art. He became associate professor in 2011 and full professor in 2017. He was assistant chair of the Art and Design Department from 2010-2013 before holding the chair position in the 2016-2017 academic year.
Graduating summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Millard-Mendez received a bachelor’s degree in sculpture in 1994, and a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 1999.
He has been praised by students and faculty for his ability to instruct students in introductory core courses to produce art works that are so well crafted they are accepted into art shows juried by outside professionals. Many of these students are non-art majors who are completing a core course required for graduation.
Millard-Mendez’s compassion and genuine care for his students is apparent by the way he walks the line between being there for them when they need him, and pushing them to work independently to find their own creative vision. He has been witnessed working with students by recognizing their fears, sympathizing with their worries, and working with them to step out of their comfort zones and take risks.
In addition to his willingness to serve the core curriculum by developing courses for the core, Millard-Mendez also creates his own award-winning works of art. He has been honored locally and nationally for his works, and has exhibited his work in museums and galleries across the country.
The H. Lee Cooper Core Curriculum Teaching Award was established in 2000 and honors a USI faculty member whose work in University Core courses (UCC) has been especially creative and successful in furthering UCC goals. As a recipient, Millard-Mendez will receive a $10,000 stipend underwritten by longtime and generous University friends, Ann and H. Lee Cooper III. He also will deliver the address at one of USI’s Fall Commencement ceremonies.
Sydney and Sadelle Berger Faculty Community Service Award
Dr. Melinda Roberts, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, College of Liberal Arts
Dr. Melinda R. Roberts, associate professor of criminal justice and director of Gender Studies, is the 2017 recipient of the Sydney L. and Sadelle Berger Faculty Community Service Award. She is being honored for her commitment to the community.
Roberts began her career at USI in 2009 as an assistant professor and, in 2015, became associate professor with the Criminal Justice Department. In fall 2015, she was named director of Gender Studies in the Center for Interdisciplinary studies at USI.
Her service to the community is widespread with a focus on sexual assault and offender rehabilitation programs. Roberts is currently or has been involved with the Evansville Police Department Promotional Board, WillowTree Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy Service, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, the Greater Lincolnshire Neighborhood Association, Whole Sun Designs, Homeless Services Council of Southwest Indiana, the River City Food Co-op and, in 2009, was appointed to the Citizens Advisory Council for the City of Evansville.
In 2010, Roberts began serving on the board of directors for Churches Embracing Offenders (CEO), an offender re-entry program. Her service to the organization includes conducting research on the program and why it is so successful, which has introduced statistical facts about the program. These facts allow the organization to establish grants so they may further their mission. The data she has collected also allows the organization to make adjustments as needed. The ability to demonstrate program effectiveness has allowed the program to expand into other areas of the State of Indiana. Roberts’ evaluations were published in the Journal of Community Corrections and the Journal of Offender Rehabilitation in 2016.
In 2003, Roberts received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee. She received her master’s and doctorate from Washington State University in Spokane, Washington, in 2005 and 2009 respectively, both in criminal justice.
The Sydney L. and Sadelle Berger Faculty Community Service Award was established in 1997 and recognizes a USI faculty member for distinguished community service to groups, agencies and institutions external to the University of Southern Indiana. As a recipient, Roberts will receive a $5,000 stipend underwritten by generous donors to the USI Foundation and longtime University friends, Charlie and Leslie Berger.
Faculty Promoted to Professor
Joan DeJong, Assistant Dean; Chair of Art and Design; Professor of Art, College of Liberal Arts
Robert Millard-Mendez, Professor of Art, College of Liberal Arts
Silvia Rode, Chair of World Languages and Cultures; Professor of German, College of Liberal Arts
Faculty tenured and promoted to associate professor
Eric Altheide, Associate Professor of Theatre, College of Liberal Arts
James Dickerson, Director of Master of Social Work; Associate Professor of Social Work, College of Liberal Arts
Ethel Elkins, Associate Professor of Health Services, College of Nursing and Health Professions
Sukanya Gupta, Associate Professor of English, College of Liberal Arts
Kerry Hall, Associate Professor of Engineering, Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education
Mikel Hand, Associate Professor of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Professions
Jason Hill, Associate Professor of Engineering, Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education
Alisa Holen, Associate Professor of Ceramics, College of Liberal Arts
Kimberly Parsons, Chair of Dental Hygiene; Chair of Dental assisting; Associate Professor of Dental Hygiene and Assisting, College of Nursing and Health Professions
Gina Schaar, Chair of Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Associate Professor of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Professions
Constance Swenty, Assistant Dean for Nursing; Associate Professor of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Professions
Stephanie Young, Acting Director of Gender Studies; Associate Professor of Communication Studies; College of Liberal Arts
Faculty Tenured
Clarissa Willis, Associate Chair of Teacher Education; Associate Professor of Education, Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education
Doctoral and Terminal Degree Completion
Mary Doerner, Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Professions
Doctor of Nursing Practice from University of Southern Indiana
William Hawkins, Assistant professor of Kinesiology and Sport, Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education - Doctor of Philosophy from University of Kansas
Chase Smith, Assistant professor of Kinesiology and Sport, Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education – Doctor of Philosophy from Indiana University
Jessica Wood, Instructor in Occupational Therapy, College of Nursing and Health Professions
Occupational Therapy Doctorate from Mount Mary University
Dawn Worman, Instructor in Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Professions
Doctor of Nursing Practice from University of Southern Indiana
Laurel Standiford-Yorgason, Instructor in Psychology, College of Liberal Arts
Doctor of Philosophy from University of Montana
Jinsuk Yang, Assistant Professor of Finance, Romain College of Business
Doctor of Philosophy from University of Texas at Arlington
25 Years of Service
Joseph DiPietro, Professor of Geology, Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education
Ernest Hall Jr., Professor of Management, Romain College of Business
Casey Harison, Director for Communal Studies; Professor of History, College of Liberal Arts
Mohammed Khayum, Dean of Romain College of Business; Professor of Economics, Romain College of Business
Doris Mohr, Coordinator of Mathematics Outreach; Associate Professor of Mathematics, Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education
Elliot Wasserman, Chair of Performing Arts; Professor of Theatre, College of Liberal Arts
Jennifer Williams, Professor of Computer Information Systems, Romain College of Business
Emeriti Honors
Randall Leigh, Instructor Emeritus in Mathematics, Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education
Martha Niemeier, Associate Director Emerita of Library; Collection Development Librarian Emerita; Senior Librarian Emerita, David L. Rice Library
Bettye Polivick, Special Instructor Emerita in Mathematics, Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education
Anne Statham, Professor Emerita of Sociology, College of Liberal Arts
