URI Foundation Announces 2009 Excellence Awards Winners
KINGSTON, RI - October 8, 2009 - Glen R. Kerkian, president of the University of Rhode Island Foundation, recently announced and recognized the winners of the Foundation’s 2009 Excellence Awards. The awards were established in 1974 to acknowledge members of the University’s staff or faculty who go above and beyond their responsibilities to enhance the objectives of a particular department as well as the URI as a whole. Since 1974, over 160 individuals have received Excellence Awards.
The winners, who were chosen for each of the four categories of awards following a selection process that included nominations by peers and students, were honored on October 1st at an official ceremony co-hosted by University President David M. Dooley at the Foundation in Kingston. They each receive a framed citation and a $2,000 cash stipend.
The 2009 Excellence Award winners and their respective categories are:
Jimmie Oxley, PhD, of Narragansett, professor of chemistry, is the recipient of the 2009 URI Foundation Scholarly Excellence Award. She is an internationally acclaimed scientist whose research has enhanced the reputation of the University around the world. Dr. Oxley serves as co-director of the Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence in Explosive Detection,
Mitigation, Response and Characterization and as co-director of the Forensic Science Partnership of URI. Her lab is renowned for its specialized study of energetic materials including explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics. Dr. Oxley’s research is extensive; having published over 80 papers on energetic materials, and her findings have been exhibited in a variety of significant forums, including as testimony before a subcommittee of the US House Homeland Security Committee. She has worked with a number of federal agencies including the FBI, the ATF, the US Army, Navy, Air Force, FAA, TSA and Los Alamos National Labs. Dr. Oxley has worked for the University since 1995.
Frank Golet, PhD, of West Kingston, professor of wetlands ecology and director of graduate studies within the Natural Resources Science Department of the College of the Environment and Life Sciences, is this winner of the 2009 URI Foundation Teaching
Excellence Award. Dr. Golet is well-known for his commitment to protecting, preserving and enhancing wetland environs. His research has benefited agencies including the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the RI Department of Environmental Management. His vast knowledge on wetlands protection led to his participation on a number of government taskforces and commissions spanning the past two decades. Dr. Golet’s dedication has effected positive change in vital wetlands protection and many of his former students hold key positions in environmental science and regulation. Dr. Golet is known for his commitment to his work and his students alike, many of whom nominated him for this award.
Lora Frisella Choquette, of Wakefield, Fiscal Management Officer, Office of Capital Projects, is the winner of the 2009 URI Foundation Staff Excellence Award. In her position, Lora is responsible for managing the financial component for all construction projects on the four URI campuses. She handles purchasing, payment to vendors, and budget tracking for more than $250 million in current projects, with $65 million in billings each fiscal year at URI. The projects range in size from the renovation of music practice rooms in the Fine Arts Center to the construction of the new Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences building, which recently opened. Lora is known for her positive and enthusiastic attitude, and frequently utilizes the assistance of students, serving as an outstanding mentor to them. Lora has been employed in her division for thirteen years and has worked at URI for more than 20 years.
Ellen Reynolds ’91, of West Kingston, Associate Director of Health Services, is the recipient of the 2009 URI Foundation Administrative Excellence Award. Reynolds, known as a “jack of all trades” skillfully balances her responsibilities ranging from dealing with vendors, insurance companies and electronic records management to policies, equipment, and the parents of students, has been with Health Services for six years. She has earned a reputation on campus as a valuable resource and as a caring and enthusiastic individual. Her insight, knowledge and willingness to participate makes her a valuable member of URI’s Health Services Team. Reynolds serves on the Judicial Board and is an instructor of URI 101. She currently serves as president of the New England College Health Association.
The winners, who were personally notified of their award earlier in the year by then University President Robert Carothers, were congratulated by URI President David M. Dooley and Kerkian. Kerkian also noted the participation and effort of URI Foundation Executive Board members Blanche Murray, who served as Excellence Awards Committee Chair for several years, and Caroline Kaull, who will act in that capacity for the upcoming year. He also recognized the 2007 and 2008 award winners, including Kathryn S. Meier, Candace A. Oviatt, Michael P. McDonald, Damon Rarick, Ronda Hammond, Dr. Gerry Tyler, Dr. Mohammad Faghri and Linda Accairdo, each of who chaired or co-chaired a subcommittee for the 2008 awards, facilitating the selection of this year’s winners.