Six receive President's Public Service Awards

ix faculty from across the five-campus system this week received President's Public Service Awards in recognition of their contributions to the Commonwealth. The awards were presented Tuesday by President William M. Bulger and Board of Trustees chair Grace Fey.

     Joseph Goldstein, dean of the College of Engineering, and James Kurose, professor of Computer Science, were among the honorees. The other recipients are John Warner, professor of Chemistry, Boston; Kevin Stokesbury, assistant professor of Marine Science and Technology, Dartmouth; Donn Clark, professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Lowell; and Erik Garcia, assistant professor of Family Medicine and Community Health, Worcester.

     The annual awards are bestowed upon faculty members who have used their academic or professional expertise to address a priority need of the Commonwealth. This year, particular attention was given to those faculty who have been involved in public service that has engaged students and enhanced the undergraduate learning experience at the University.

     "Each of today's award recipients has a lifetime of achievement worthy of honor," said Bulger. "These achievements have had profound impacts on the Commonwealth and its people."

     Fey added, "An important part of our mission at the University is to find solutions to problems facing the Commonwealth. The professors who are being recognized today are on the cutting edge of the effort to solve those problems in creative ways with the assistance of our talented students."

     Goldstein and Kurose received the award for conceiving, planning and developing the support for the Commonwealth IT Initiative (CITI) and their engagement of almost all of the 29 institutions of public higher education in the project.

     Warner was recognized for his leadership in spearheading the "green chemistry" revolution throughout Massachusetts, the U.S. and the world as a result of his teaching, research and outreach activities.

     Stokesbury has earned renown for his scientific work, involving both students and fishermen, that led to the re-opening of scallop beds on Georges Bank and enabled an additional $55 million of catch in 1999-2000.

     Clark received the award for his decade of efforts at UMass Lowell aimed at engaging students in the design and construction of technological devices that assist individuals with disabilities through the Assistive Technology Program.

     Garcia was acknowledged for his work with homeless health services at Worcester's Homeless Outreach and Advocacy Project and his involvement of students in this outreach effort.