NSU's Circle of Excellence winners to be honored Thursday

Northeastern State University will present its 2009-10 Circle of Excellence Awards to Dr. Diane Boze for teaching, Dr. Chris Burba for research and Dr. Michelle Welch for service during a ceremony April 29 at 3 p.m. in the Tower Room of the Webb Educational Technology Center.

The Circle of Excellence awards recognize outstanding faculty for their outstanding accomplishments and commitment to educating students. In honor of each recipient, a brick bearing their name and award will be placed within the Circle of Excellence 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).

Boze, associate professor humanities, teaches courses in art history and art appreciation. She holds a Ph.D. and master's degree in art history from the University of Kansas, a master's degree in liberal studies from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelors degree in international affairs from Texas Christian University.

I very much enjoy both of these rolesthat of helping to expand the knowledge of those already interested in my subjects and that of awakening an appreciation in those who frequently have little previous experience with the arts, Boze said.

Burba is an assistant chemistry professor who joined NSU's faculty in 2006. He currently has three externally funded research grants from the Research Corporation, the Oklahoma IDeA Network of Biomedical Excellence and the American Chemical Society-Petroleum Research Fund. He was awarded the Sherril D. Christian Award for Research at the University of Oklahoma in 2006 and 22 of his research articles are published.

Research is critical for a well-rounded faculty member, Burba said. It enhances teaching by keeping the faculty current in their disciplines and it promotes enthusiasm in students. I am a major proponent of undergraduate chemical research. Students are excited about working on projects that can really make a difference in the world.

Welch is assistant dean, clinical director and an instructor for the Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry. She serves as the optometry services chief on the Cherokee Nation Medical Executive Committee. She joined the optometry faculty in 1995 after she received her degree from NSUOCO.

I am very humbled to have been nominated and chosen for the Circle of Excellence award, Welch said. I work with fantastic faculty, staff and students who make my job much easier, enjoyable and highly rewarding.

The Circle of Excellence is the top honor NSU awards its faculty. Those chosen for the award must be full-time faculty members.