IUSAA gives students chance to honor professors

Awards are given to IU faculty often, but the IU Student Alumni Association does something unique: It gives IU students a chance to give faculty awards in the annual Student Choice Awards.\nThe awards, which will be presented April 17 at the Virgil T. DeVault Alumni Center during the Spring Recognition Banquet, are handed out to faculty members nominated in campus-wide student balloting.\nBalloting is a three-week procedure, but the real process begins with the performance of outstanding faculty members, according to the IUSAA's Web site.\n"It's a very high honor because it is 100 percent student-voted," said Sondra Inman, IUSAA's director of Student Programs.\nThe awards are a long-time tradition students can use to honor standout faculty members, Inman said.\n"I was just incredibly thrilled," said Patricia Stiles, one of 2004's honorees. "First of all, I had no idea my students were doing it. I just have incredible students."\nThis year's balloting process, which is now finished, amassed almost 1,000 votes from balloting that took place at residence halls, classes and other spots around campus. About 700 ballots were collected last year.\nTo receive an award, the recipient must first be an IU faculty member of three years who has taught six course hours for four out of the six semesters.\nProviding the faculty member isn't an associate instructor, three student nominations will then give the recipient an award as long he or she hasn't received it in the past five years.\nThe awards are given out at the same time as the Stahr Awards, which honor IU seniors who show leadership skills.\nIn 2004, four professors received awards: Stiles, who is an associate professor of the School of Music; the Department of Psychology's Robert Weiskopf; the Department of Chemistry's Catherine Reck and Kelley School of Business' professor Thomas Heslin.\n"I was elated," Heslin said. "I think the recognition is fantastic and very much appreciated. I'd love to receive it again."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Andy Romey at aromey@indiana.edu.