June 3, 2004

Graduate School honors three with Ver Steeg awards

Two Graduate School faculty members — Tracy C. Davis, professor of theatre and English and director of the Interdisciplinary PhD in Theatre and Drama, and James A. Brown professor of anthropology — have been awarded the Clarence L. Ver Steeg Graduate Faculty Award.

Alan Shefsky, program assistant in performance studies, has been granted the Clarence L. Ver Steeg Graduate Staff Award.

A joint faculty, student and staff committee selected faculty recipients from among 10 nominees representing five schools and one interdisciplinary graduate program. The staff awardee was chosen from among a field of 11 nominees representing five schools, two interdisciplinary programs, and a nonacademic arm of the University.

Faculty nominees were rated for their excellence in student advising; fostering a supportive environment for ethical research and scholarship; instruction in teaching; assistance to students in gaining grant skills; guidance of students in administrative, organizational and professional matters; and their efforts in facilitating students’ entry into the academic community, postdoctoral career placement, and professional success.

Staff nominees were evaluated for their outstanding academic and administrative support of graduate students, by direct service, fostering a supportive departmental climate or contributing to innovative programs that support graduate students in their academic, professional and personal development.

The awards are named for Clarence Ver Steeg, professor emeritus of history and dean of The Graduate School from 1975 to 1986.