Faculty, staff honored at collegewide event

Several Texas A&M’s College of Architecture faculty and staff members were recognized for exemplary achievements at the Aug. 26 administrative meeting kicking off the fall 2011 semester.

Kevin Glowacki , assistant professor of architecture, was recognized as a 2011-12 Montague Center for Teaching Excellence Scholar.

“He has continually demonstrated an ability to teach graduates and undergraduates effectively in large lecture classes of 200-plus students, as well as smaller classes and seminars,” said Jorge Vanegas, dean of the College of Architecture.

Vanegas added that Glowacki regularly teaches art and architectural history courses as part of the university core curriculum, providing important outreach from the Department of Architecture to the university.

Glowacki’s published, peer-reviewed work since 2008 includes two conference proceeding chapters, a book chapter, two conference abstract publications as well as one invited book chapter and two book reviews.

He has also co-edited two issues of of Preservation Education Research: The Journal of the National Council for Preservation, co-edited “The Archaeology of Houses and Households in Ancient Crete” and co-authored “Kavousi IIB: the LMIIIC Settlement at Vronda.”

Established in 1991, the Montague Scholar award includes a $6,500 grant to encourage further development of undergraduate teaching excellence. It's named in honor of Kenneth Montague '37, a distinguished alumnus and outstanding trustee of the Texas A&M Foundation, who had a long and storied career in the Texas oil industry.

The Association of Former Students recognized Donna Hajash , senior lecturer in visualization, and James Smith , professor of construction science, with college-level distinguished achievement awards.

“It is rare to have a teacher who can shoulder, nearly alone, the burden of an entire field for the sake of students across the majors of a college,” said Tim McLaughlin, head of the Department of Visualization, of Hajash, who teaches graphic design. “She does so successfully in all areas, from the design of learning strategies to the delivery of classroom instruction, to the mentorship of students beyond the classroom.”

McLaughlin said Hajash, who joined the Texas A&M faculty in 1984, embraces technology, compels students to keep their eyes on the horizon, and leads them to believe in themselves as confident competitors in the market of ideas.

Smith has brought numerous advances to the college during his time at Texas A&M, said Charles Graham, a former college administrator who is now dean of the College of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma, including:

• Creating the Construction Industry Advisory Council, a group of more than 100 companies that support the college with scholarships, research support and academic program advice;
• Helping build of the best student internship programs in the country;
• Increasing endowments and
• Creating and supporting competition teams, which regularly win state and national contests.

Three staff members, Ian Muise , John Peters and Faith Stringer , were recognized with Star Performance awards.

At the end of a recommendation letter listing the many accomplishments and tasks well done by Muise, visual resources curator for the Technical Reference Center, Paula Bender, the TRC director, summed why she thought he was eligible for a Star Performer award.

“He has a great passion and interest in information technology, and a real desire to provide quality service to those who need support,” she said.  “All of the things I have mentioned, and many more examples I could provide, all should give a glimpse into what an outstanding employee we have with Ian.”

In a letter recommending Peters, the college’s audio visual specialist and photographer for the Star Award, Tom Regan, professor of architecture, said, “From my perspective and personal experience as a faculty member in the Department of Architecture, I can attest to consistently excellent performance by Peters in supporting the efforts of teachers throughout the college, performance above and beyond his prescribed duties.”

Stringer, business coordinator II for the college, earned kudos from her colleague, Kevin Gustavus, business administrator, who said, “Day in and day out, Faith strives to provide the best in customer service…She is the epitome of excellence in customer support.”