UNCA to Honor Its Full Professors at Spring Gala;
Gene Rainey and Michael Ruiz Receive Faculty Award for
Distinguished Performance
Two of UNC Asheville’s most notable senior faculty members will be
honored at a special spring gala featuring two public lecture at 8 p.m.
Thursday, April 18, in Robinson Hall room 125. The talks are free and open
to the public.
Gene Rainey, political science, and Michael Ruiz, physics, will receive
the 2002 Senior Faculty Award for Distinguished Performance as a UNCA
Professor by the Senior Faculty Group. Each will give a formal public
lecture in their respective fields as part of the celebration.
Rainey will discuss "The X and Y Generations: Current Challenges
to UNCA." He will explore the difficulties universities face as the
new generation, born between 1982 and 2000, begin school. Highlights will
include consideration of population size, crime, pregnancy, poverty,
dropout rates, homelessness, gangs and racial diversity.
Rainey, who joined the faculty in 1969, holds a doctorate in
international relations from American University. Prior to coming to UNCA,
he held academic positions at Harding University, American University and
Ohio State University. An active member of the community, Rainey serves as
president of Our Next Generation, a nonprofit group established to build
20 youth centers in Western North Carolina.
Ruiz will discuss "Light and Its Interdisciplinary
Connections." He will demonstrate how the theme of light connects a
wide number of discipline, from physics and chemistry to photography and
art. Ruiz will also share his success story of developing one of the
nation’s first interactive, online light courses.
Ruiz, who joined the faculty in 1978, holds a doctorate in theoretical
physics from the University of Maryland. His work in general education
eventually expanded to software development. In 1991, EDUCOM nationally
recognized the light course Ruiz developed as one of 101 success stories
for using computer technology in higher education. In 1999, Ruiz was named
Outstanding Chapter Advisor by the American Society of Physics for his
notable work with UNCA’s very active student group.
Media Contacts:
- Dr. Gordon Wilson, UNCA Philosophy Dept. Chair, 828/251-6349
- Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526
|
