Six Women Scholars Win Prestigious Awards

JoBeth Allen, a professor in the department of language and literacy education at the University of Georgia, was named the Outstanding Educator in the English Language Arts by the National Council of Teachers of English. She has been on the faculty at the University of Georgia since 1986 and is the author of eight books including Literacy in the Welcoming Classroom: Creating Family-School Partnerships That Support Student Learning (Teachers College Press, 2010).

Professor Allen holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, all from the University of Kansas.

Sabeeha Merchant, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of California Los Angeles, was selected as the winner of the Humboldt Research Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany.

Dr. Merchant holds bachelor’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Connie M. Weaver, distinguished professor of nutrition science at Purdue University, received the Herbert Newby McCoy Award, the highest research award given out by the university. She has chaired the university’s department of nutrition science since 1991. Dr. Weaver was recognized for her research on calcium metabolism in adolescents and the impact of diet, gender, race, and sexual maturity on calcium utilization.

Professor Weaver holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oregon State University. She earned a Ph.D. in food science and human nutrition from Florida State University.

Jasmine Tang, a lecturer in Chinese language at the State University of New York at Geneseo, received the Award of Distinction from the Chinese Language Education and Research Center. As part of the award, Tang will receive a two-week paid trip to China.

Tang is a graduate of SUNY Geneseo and has served on the faculty there since 1991. She holds a master’s degree from Empire State College in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Christina McIntyre, associate director of the honors program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, received the Certificate of Merit of the Outstanding Advising Award from the National Academic Advising Association. She is the former assistant chair of the university’s department of human nutrition, foods, and exercise.

McIntyre holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Virginia Tech.

Geralyn E. Stephens, assistant professor and program coordinator for career and technical education at Wayne State University in Detroit, has been selected to receive the 2012 Blackboard Catalyst Award for Exemplary Course Program. She will be honored for developing the course, “History and Principles of Career and Technical Education.”

Dr. Stephens is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. She holds master’s and doctoral degrees in education from Wayne State University.