The Outstanding Awards 2005­2006

Kathleen Kaiser Honored for Service

Kathleen Kaiser, recent CSU Faculty Trustee, has received the Outstanding Faculty Service Award at California State University, Chico.

Kaiser received an MA and a PhD in sociology from Duke University. She came to CSU, Chico as a faculty member in the Department of Sociology in 1972. She was chair of the department from August 2000 until 2002. She was interim associate dean for the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences from July 1998 until January 1999. She has been the Applied Sociology Internship Program director since 1980.

Kaiser just completed a two-year term as the faculty trustee to the CSU Board of Trustees. For that position, she was nominated by nine campus academic senates and was one of two faculty members the CSU Academic Senate recommended to then Governor Gray Davis, who appointed her to the board. “To be so recognized by the faculty representatives of the entire CSU system is not only a high honor, but reflects the confidence and respect they have for Kathy in representing the faculty voice,” said Paul Spear, chair of the FRAS committee.

One of her accomplishments on the board was serving as lead trustee on the issue of sustainability. Kaiser worked with students in the California State Student Association, who brought the issue to the board of trustees. “Because of her persuasive ability and persistence,” said Spear, “the board of trustees requested that the Chancellor’s Office establish a committee of students and faculty to develop a systemwide policy. In September 2005, the board passed “Energy Conservation, Sustainable Building Practices, and Physical Plant Management.”

Kaiser assisted CSU, Chico in documenting the necessary interaction between academic and business elements to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) sustainable practice standards so the campus could build the first LEED building in the CSU system.

Kaiser chaired the CSU General Education Advisory Committee for three years and the GE Course Review Committee for many years. The committee evaluated community college courses to determine whether they met CSU standards. “Kaiser was one of the major forces developing and implementing the California Articulation Numbering system,” said Spear.

She was a longtime member of the Academic Senate, serving on the Executive Committee and the Educational Policies and Plans Committee.

One of her services to students has been to write successful letters of recommendation for numerous awards, such as the Glenn Kendall Outstanding Senior Service Award, the Lt. Rawlins Merit Award, Graduate Equity fellowships, and Student Leadership awards. “For Kathy, the student is foremost,” said Spear.

Adam Dondro, former Associated Students president, said, “Dr. Kaiser was always available to help with any projects the Associated Students were undertaking. Even amidst her numerous responsibilities, she finds time to be a positive influence in the lives of her students.”

Larry Hanne is Outstanding Advisor

Larry Hanne, Department of Biological Sciences, has been selected as the 2005–2006 Outstanding Advisor. Hanne has served as the academic advisor for students majoring in microbiology since coming to CSU, Chico in 1983.

Hanne received a PhD in 1981 from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Dallas. He was a postdoctoral researcher at Oregon Health Sciences University before coming to Chico. In addition to working closely with students on curriculum, Hanne also works with local health facilities to place these students in a clinical laboratory setting. He serves as co-advisor for the biology honors club, Omicron Theta Epsilon. He helped establish the Student Chapter of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and serves as its advisor.

Over the last 10 years, he has organized five career days for biology/microbiology students. These events allow students to talk with professionals in careers associated with biology, many of them alumni. He holds resume workshops for students, and, “as a result, many students have secured professional positions,” said Patricia Edelmann, chair, Biological Sciences.

“Larry and I have worked together as faculty advisors to Omicron for 17 years now, and what really stands out in my mind is his tireless support of students and their ideas,” said Ray Bogiatto, Biological Sciences.

Former student Traci Baptista is currently employed with Butte County Public Health as their senior public health microbiologist. Baptista describes Hanne’s availability as both an academic and a career advisor: “Dr. Hanne’s office door was always open. As a student, I found myself in his office seeking help when I needed a greater explanation of subject matter.”

Hanne is widely published in scientific journals in his areas of interest: microbial degradation of nitrophenols, biofilm development associated with salmon spawning, molecular characterization of microbial virulence factors, and bacteriophage evolution. He has 11 publications in scientific journals, two in education journals, and another dozen abstracts published with co-authors.

Eleven students have completed their master’s degrees under Hanne’s guidance and one is working on his master’s project now. Other activities Hanne is involved in include the development and maintenance of the Web site for ASM, member of NCASM Executive Committee, chair of national ASM student membership committee, member national ASM membership confirmation committee, and CSU, Chico biology graduate coordinator, from 2001 to the present.