Faculty/Staff Awards  

·         Gloria Fennell, Associate Professor, Social Work, was this year's recipient of the Jeff Oliphant Blugold Spirit Award.  This award is presented each year to a student, faculty, or staff member in CoEHS who clearly exemplifies the vision and mission of the university, CoEHS, and department; works successfully with others; maintains high standards; and provides leadership.  Dr. Fennell is incredibly focused on students and their success, is 
extraordinarily collaborative, and is an outstanding leader.  Dr. Fennell came to UW-Eau Claire Department of Social Work in 1998.  Since then, she has been a mainstay of the department--teaching, advising, working with students inside and outside the classroom, and working with colleagues in the department, college, and university.  She has served as chair of the department and has received a university excellence award for advising.  She developed several domestic immersion and field experience opportunities so that social work students would be exposed to other cultures.  She has linked students with opportunities in the UK and in Scotland.  Dr. Fennel has been instrumental in developing a partnership with UW-Madison to offer the Master of Social Work Degree at UW-Eau Claire and has served as co-director of that program since its inception.

Lisa LaSalle, Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders, received the Ron Satz Teacher/Scholar Award.  The award is designed to recognize a faculty member known for excellence in both teaching and scholarly activity.  Dr. LaSalle came to UW-Eau Claire in 1993.  Since then, Dr. LaSalle has shown herself to be an excellent teacher through her knowledge in her field, her dedication to students and student learning, and her willingness to learn and integrate innovative teaching methods into her coursework.  Students consider Dr. LaSalle knowledgeable and approachable; colleagues have described her as a reflective teacher excelling in the classroom and the clinic.  Dr. LaSalle has also developed a very well established research agenda, with numerous national publications and presentations, collaborative scholarly work with undergraduate and graduate students as well as with colleagues across the state and country.  She represents the university well and is an effective model for our students on the importance of community, inclusivity, and national involvement.