Tom Liljegren, director of advising for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, is presented with the Giraffe Award by Dean Joseph Ward at the college's annual awards ceremony Wednesday. The award recognizes those who "stick their neck out" for the benefit of the college. Other Giraffe Award nominees included Charles Waugh, associate professor of English, and Nolan Weil, associate professor in the Intensive English Language Institute.
Norman Jones, a beloved and long-time professor of history, has been named Teacher of the Year for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
The CHaSS community gathered for its annual awards ceremony Wednesday, March 28, to celebrate the accomplishments of students, faculty, staff and friends.
CHaSS Dean Joseph Ward, along with associate deans Evelyn Funda, Eric Reither and Matthew Sanders, hosted the event.
The ceremony recognized dozens of scholarship winners in history, English, journalism, sociology, social work, languages and more. Indeed, a stage full of students gathered to accept alumni-funded scholarships in what Ward said what the largest number of scholarship winners in the college’s history.
A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Giraffe Award to Tom Liljegren. The annual honor is given each year to a faculty or staff member who “sticks his or her neck out” and “tries something risky to better teach, further research or improve college organization or programs,” according to Ward. Liljegren, director of CHaSS advising, was recognized for his work in founding CHaSS High School Day and efforts in recruitment.
In addition to students, the ceremony recognized faculty members and staff who have contributed significantly to the college and its motto of “think, discover and create.” Faculty awards went to:
Mary Leavitt, who retired in 2015 as director of CHaSS advising, was presented with the Ross Peterson Lifetime Service Award. The award is named in honor of Peterson, history professor emeritus.
Two were recognized as employees of the year. Daniel Mathews, adviser for students in English teaching, political science, law and constitutional studies and international studies, `received the True Blue Award, while Joann Wade of Aerospace Studies earned the Light of Old Main Award.
Each year’s CHaSS Awards event also includes recognition of faculty members who will be retiring. These are:
Recognized as Friends of CHaSS were William Furlong and Jack Fleming and Susan Thomas.
Furlong, a retired political science professor, introduced the Furlong Excellence in Politics and Government Scholarship. The first award for the scholarship endowed by Furlong and his wife Juanita was made this spring.
Jack Fleming and Susan Thomas, founders of the residential rehabilitation center Therapy in Motion, seek to support Social Work, Sociology and Anthropology students who are pursuing a minor in Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapy. The TiM Scholarship Endowment was awarded to two students Wednesday.
Cody Patton, graduating in history, was named the college’s valedictorian.
15 undergraduate English students from Logan, Vernal, and Ephraim campuses presented at the 100th Sigma Tau Delta International English Honors Society Convention and won awards in three categories.
5 Questions for a CHaSS Grad highlights the awesome things our alumni go on to do. Meet Kat Webb, content director for the Aspire NSF Engineering Research Center on USU’s Innovation campus. When not working, Kat can be found playing soccer with her son, u...
