Rod Dishman

Rod Dishman, professor of exercise science, is one of 13 members of a national advisory committee that will help create the first federal guidelines on physical activity for Americans.

“The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans,” which will be issued in late 2008, will provide science-based recommendations on the latest knowledge about activity and health, with depth and flexibility to target specific population subgroups, such as seniors, children and persons with disabilities.

The report will be the first time the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has sanctioned such physical activity guidelines, which will be similar to longstanding dietary guidelines for Americans.

Laura Dean, an assistant professor in the College Student Affairs Administration Program, received a 2007 Outstanding Achievement Award from the School of Education at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. A nationally certified counselor, Dean is past president of the American College Counseling Association, for which she serves as the representative to the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. She also currently serves as CAS member-at-large on the executive council and as the CAS publications editor. She has served on editorial boards for the College Student Affairs Journal and the Journal of College Counseling. Dean’s research interests include small college environments, the use of standards in student affairs and college counseling issues.

Takoi K. Hamrita, engineering professor and a native of Tunisia, received the Republic Medal of Merit in Education and Science from Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the president of Tunisia. One of that country’s highest honors, the medal recognizes Hamrita’s successful efforts to help shape the future of higher education in Tunisia through innovative pilot projects and training programs in distance learning, university management and evaluation and university public service and outreach.

James E. Kundell, former director of the Institute of Government’s Environmental Policy Program and a professor in the Institute of Ecology, has been appointed to the Chief of Engineers Environmental Advisory Board, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Only three new members were tapped for the national board, which currently totals six. Selected for their expert knowledge and experience in environmental matters, members provide Lt. Gen. Carl Strock, chief of engineers, with independent advice and recommendations relating to environmental issues facing the Corps.

Alan Stewart

Alan Stewart, associate professor of counseling psychology, received the 2007 John Dussich Award from the American Society of Victimology. The award is presented to victomologists or victim service practitioners who have devoted themselves to the field of victomology full time for at least 10 years and achieved a high level of mastery in their career. Stewart was recognized for his contributions to victomology through his research in the area of death notification.