Six DU professors, in departments ranging from psychology, chemistry, and international Studies, received prestigious monetary awards for their contributions to the DU community.
Jan Keenan, a professor in the Department of psychology, received the 2005-2006 Distinguished Scholar Award. Sandra Eaton, a professor in the Department of hemistry and biochemistry, received the 2005-2006 University Lecturer Award.
Ilene Grabel, an associate professor at the Graduate School of International Studies, received the United Methodist Church University Scholar/Teacher of the Year Award. Chris Edwards, an adjunct professor at the University College, received the Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award.
Jean East, a professor at the Graduate School of Social Work, received the University of Denver Distinguished Teaching Award in conjuction with Roberto Corrada, a professor at the Sturm College of Law.
The recipients siad they were thrilled to learn of their award, and look forward to contributing to DU in the future.
“I have been delighted to have always done my research at DU; I took my first job here 30 years ago and have enjoyed every year since,” said Keenan.
Keenan is a cognitive scientist, focusing on research in language and memory. She has funding from the National Institutes of Health to study comprehension in children with learning disabilities.
“I also have terrific colleagues in the psychology Department who provide a lot of support and intellectual stimulation,” she said.
“What I like most about being at D.U. is working with students, both in
the classroom and in the research lab. Working together we make
discoveries and learn from each other,” Eaton, winner of the University Lecturer Award, said.
Grabel concentrates her work on the political economy of financial reform, and has published widely on economic policies.
Currently, she is working on a United Nations program designed to assist policy choices in developing countries to create better financial systems.
“I’m working to develop a curriculum for policy makers in these countries, to assist them to create better financial systems,” she said.
Grabel will be teaching at the newly formed United Nations International Poverty Research Center in Brasilia, Brazil in the winter of 2007.
East specializes in women’s issues, including feminist empowerment practice, welfare reform and community administration. She is a co-director of project WISE, a non-profit organization designed to work with and on behalf of women who are financially vulnerable.
“Teaching the next generation of social workers is very exciting as the challenges they face will be great,” East said.
Corrada, who won the Distinguished Teaching Award along with East, is a professor at the Sturm College of Law. His research and teachings focus primarily on the rights of ethnic and sexual minorities and the public versus private discussion in labor and employment law.
