NSU Honors Faculty With Circle Of Excellence Awards

TAHLEQUAH Northeastern State University recently presented the 2006-2007 Circle of Excellence Awards to Dr. Rene Cambiano, Debbie Stansell and Dr. Barbara Jo Ray. The Circle of Excellence awards recognize outstanding faculty and reward them for their hard work in the areas of research, teaching and service.

Dr. Cambiano, Dr. Ray and Ms. Stansell are truly outstanding members of the NSU faculty, said Dr. Dalton Bigbee, vice president for academic affairs. Their dedication to the students of this institution goes above and beyond what is required. They are excellent examples of the outstanding faculty we have at NSU.

Each recipient will receive a brick to be placed in the Circle of Excellence, located in front of Seminary Hall. In addition to securing a permanent place in NSU history, recipients will receive a substantial award for their selection (their choice of a new computer or $2,500 to use toward professional development).

Dr. Rene Cambiano Research. Dr. Rene Cambiano, associate professor of Educational Foundations and Leadership, is an accomplished writer, researcher and presenter at the local, national and international level. She has conducted research on diversity in education, learning preferences, technology environments, distance learning environments, student portfolios, teaching methods and solar kilns. As the chair of the masters of Education in Teaching program at NSU, Cambiano models the conceptual framework of the program for her students and exemplifies the greatest qualities of an educator in all of the things she does.

Debbie Stansell Teaching. Debbie Stansell, instructor of Information Systems, has a passion for working one-on-one with students to help them grasp the concepts of the information technology field. As a teacher and scholar, Stansell enjoys preparing interactive lectures that allow her to get know her students personally, which allows her to establish a closer relationship with the whole class. Stansell has developed courses for students in the IS program at NSU and continues to search for new and innovative ways to interact with her students.

Dr. Barbara Jo Ray Service. Dr. Barbara Jo Ray, associate professor of Library Media, has contributed countless hours to improving educational opportunities for children through public libraries across Oklahoma and the nation. Currently she serves as the American Association of School Librarians Director-Elect of the Region VI, which includes Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico, on the National Council for Accreditation of Teach Education Committee representing the American Association of School Librarians, as well as numerous other organizations. Ray also serves as the program chair for the masters of Science in Library Media and Information Technology in the College of Education.