Two UH-Hilo faculty honored with systemwide awards
Two University of Hawaii at Hilo faculty recently were recognized by UH systemwide awards for excellence in teaching.
Lincoln A. “Linc” Gotshalk, professor of kinesiology and exercise science was honored with the UH Board of Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching.
ADVERTISING
The medal is a UH system award decided by the board as tribute to faculty members who exhibit an extraordinary level of subject mastery and scholarship, teaching effectiveness and creativity and personal values that benefit students.
Gotshalk was nominated for the award by several students in his research team.
Haley Williams, student lab director at Gotshalk’s laboratory, said in a nomination letter that Gotshalk “fosters an enjoyable research environment, which always makes me look forward to my research as part of his lab.”
“The discussions and research have been transformative and powerful as they encourage critical thinking of endocrinological and research techniques and concepts,” Williams wrote. “As a mentor, he fosters enthusiasm, confidence, and passion in his students.
Leanne Day, assistant professor of English, was honored with the Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.
The award is a memorial to the late Frances Davis, who taught mathematics at Leeward Community College and UH-Manoa for 19 years.
Day’s research and teaching areas focus on settler colonialism, empire, Hawaii, Asian American studies, and the Pacific through literary and cultural studies. She teaches upper-division topics in Pacific Islands literature, literature of Hawaii, Asian American literature and speculative fiction.
Day was nominated for the award by UH-Hilo Professor of English Kirsten Møllegaard, whose nomination letter notes Day’s “excellent abilities to teach, nurture, support and challenge her students,” notably in her students’ development as critical thinkers.
In addition, six other UH-Hilo faculty and staff were honored with awards. They are:
• Nicholas Krueger, instructor of agriculture, Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching;
• Adam Pack, professor of psychology, Excellence in Scholarly/Creative Activities;
• Lissa Tsutsumi, assistant professor of applied agricultural sciences, Outstanding Advisor/Mentor;
• Dori Yamada, assistant manager of the UH-Hilo Performing Arts Center, Outstanding University Support Employee Award;
• Christina Method, clinical education support specialist of pharmacy practice, Professional Staff Award;
• Paula Gealon, administration/fiscal services administrator, Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii, Outstanding RCUH Employee.
