Donnell B. and Elizabeth Dee Shaw Stewart Stewarts honored for lifetime of service to Weber State Donnell B. and Elizabeth Dee Shaw Stewart were recently honored by the college for over 50 years of association with and service to Weber State, service that has benefitted virtually every segment of the institution. The college hosted an open house for the Stewarts honoring their 85th birthdays “purely as an opportunity to recognize two people who have done so much for this organ was donated to the school,” Hurst said. “The organ was placed in the Moench Auditorium and used for devotionals that were held at the time.” Mrs. Stewart became interested in the instrument, and-started taking organ lessons. After leaving Weber State she completed graduate studies in organ at Columbia University, he said. “Because of that interest in organ she set Also, the initial $2.5 million trust fund established by the Stewarts in the 1970’s has grown to over $6 million, Hurst said. “The Stewarts’ philosophy in giving to the college has been this: The college represents the_one institution which would enrich and extend their contributions. Their feeling is that they’ll make the most impact to the most number of people by giving to Weber State,” he said. Weber State gives $12,000 for faculty awards Fourteen Weber State College faculty members and one department have received a collective total of $12,000 in cash as a part of this year’s faculty awards program. The awards were given during a recent ceremony at the college to recognize outstanding faculty efforts in teaching, scholarship, and service and for superior academic advising. “The awardees are exemplars among the many outstanding professors and The Comment is published four times a year. January. April, July and October for alumni and friends of the college at no charge by the Weber State College Public Relations Department, 313 Miller Administration Bldg, Weber State College, Ogden, Utah 84408-1010. Editor Craig V. Nelson Design Editor Cindy Nichols Second class postage paid at Preston, ID. POSTMASTER: Form 3579 to: News and Public Information-101 1 Weber State College Ogden, UT 84403-2025 (USPS 791-360) departments in our midst,” said Dr. Allen F. Simkins, acting president of Weber State. Awards in teaching, scholarship and service areas are designed to honor one faculty member who has worked at the college for five or more years, and one with less than five years at WSC. Recognition for excellence in teaching went to Dr. Gloria Z. Wurst, a professor of zoology who came to Weber State in 1978, and Dr. Kathryn L. MacKay, an assistant professor of history who started in 1988. The awards were given based on contributions to the classroom as identified by faculty and students. The two each received $3,000 to develop and present an instructional idea. Dr. Richard M. Alston, a professor of economics who first came to WSC in 1969, and Dr. Kevin P. Corbett, an assistant professor of geology since 1988, received the scholarship awards. Drs. Alston and Corbett will each receive $3,000 in unrestricted research support or one quarter release time to pursue scholarly interests. Dr. Alston has authored a number of books, monographs, articles, and academic computer software. He has presented keynote addresses and papers and is a popular book reviewer. Dr. Corbett speaks often at professional national conferences, publishes extensively in professional journals and receives many grants for scientific research. Service awards were given to Dr. Randolph J. Scott, a professor of communication who has been at Weber State since 1977, and Dr. Linda F. Gammill, assistant professor of computer information systems who joined the college faculty in 1988. Service awards include a $500 cash prize and a reserved parking space for one year. Dr. Scott has long been a proponent of WSC debate. Through his efforts the communication department, the debate team and individual debaters have received national recognition. Dr. Gammill implemented an interactive videodisc system this year in a basic computer course which serves approximately 1,100 students per year. a a The Weber State English department also was recognized for service and was given a $1,000 cash prize plus possession of a traveling trophy for one year. The department was recognized for training in English as a second language, for its National Undergraduate Literature Conference and for the Writing Center. In addition to the three recognition areas, the college also awarded eight faculty members with Academic Advisement awards. The awards consist of a $500 cash prize, and acknowledge faculty efforts to give students counseling on academic and career goals. “Faculty are notoriously underpaid for efforts outside the classroom. This is an attempt to rectify that and recognize their extra effort,”’ said Julie Arbuckle, director of the college’s academic advisement area which awards the recognition. Faculty receiving Academic Advisement awards include: Yasmen Simonian, clinical laboratory science; Larry P. Stahle, communication; Dr. Doug Laufer, accounting and information services; Dr. Chloe D. Merrill, child and family studies; Dr. Randy S. Chatelain, child and family studies; Dr. David S. Havertz, zoology; Dr. L.G. Bingham, criminal justice; and Carl L. Grunander, sales and service. ae » eS Pe The Stewarts have a long history of affiliation with Weber State. Mr. Stewart graduated from Weber College in 1926 with an associate’s degree. He joined the U.S. Army after graduation and later transferred to the U.S. Air Force. He served in World War II and the Korean conflict and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer. After his retirement from the military he returned to Weber State College, now a four-year institution, and received his bachelor’s degree. “He was active in athletics while he was here, and he has served on the development board since its inception. Don has also been active on the alumni board,” Hurst said. Mrs. Stewart was a student in the last high school classes offered at the college in the 1920’s. She was also in the first collegeonly class, giving her a total of six years at Weber State, Hurst said. She was involved in student affairs, was associate editor of the student newspaper and was active in music and drama. “Interestingly, it was during Elizabeth’s time at Weber Normal College that a pipe oe say thanks,” Hurst said. up a $5,000 music scholarship fund at the college,” he said. When Mrs. Stewart finished graduate studies she returned to the college, working in the registration office, as an associate secretary to then-President Aaron Tracy and later as a member of the English faculty. “She had better than 12 years where she was directly associated with the college. That association was the basis of her interest in Weber State,” Hurst said. Hurst approached the Stewarts in the late 1960’s and proposed setting up a trust account with the college as beneficiaries. “That greatly expanded their ability to give not only at the end of their life, but during it as well,” he said. And the Stewarts have been generous to the college. They have donated millions for construction of the Stewart Library, the Stewart Bell Tower and the Dee Events Center. In addition, theySanonymously gave for construction of the Information Center at the entrance of campus and have established a $1 million deferred trust for the library. “Virtually every segment of the college has benefitted because of their generosity— from computers to books to the Utah Musical Theater and musical equipment. Athletics would probably not exist if it were not for the Stewarts,” he said. CS institution,” said Dean W. Hurst, an assistant to the president at Weber State and a longtime associate of the Stewarts. “We wanted to take this opportunity to pe 1990 FOU Fall TH Comment, es State - Weber