In recognition of excellence in teaching, research and mentorship, three faculty members were honored with SOEST awards at a ceremony on April 26, 2023.
“The highpoint of my week happened this morning,” said Chip Fletcher, interim Dean of SOEST after the SOEST awards ceremony. “I was honored to recognize Drs. Rosie Alegado for teaching excellence, Jeff Drazen for research excellence, and Craig Nelson for mentoring excellence. These three embody everything it means to be in the SOEST ‘Ohana – to bring forward our best selves every day, to engender reciprocal trust and respect in our relationships with others, and to find personal fulfillment in contributing to the happiness of those we spend time with. Today we recognize Rosie, Jeff, and Craig. In truth, these three symbolize what so many here at SOEST achieve every single day.”
Rosie Alegado, Excellence in Teaching award recipient
The SOEST Excellence in Teaching award was presented to Rosie Alegado, associate professor of oceanography, for her demonstrated excellence in teaching, academic leadership, and dedication to student success.
The award was presented in recognition of her service to SOEST and these exemplary teaching qualities expressed by her colleagues: “a champion of teaching”; “always finding innovative and creative ways to improve the experience for her students”; “teaches both by example and by facilitation”; “an influential educator for students and other teaching faculty alike”; “develops long-standing relationships with students”; “a very empathetic and good listener”; “goes above and beyond and centers students in the place they are learning”; and “a wonderful collaborator”.
Additionally, Alegado received the University of Hawai‘i Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching. The University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents selects for this award faculty members who exhibit an extraordinary level of subject mastery and scholarship, teaching effectiveness and creativity, and personal values that benefit students.
Jeffrey Drazen, Excellence in Research award recipient
The SOEST Excellence in Research award was presented to Jeff Drazen, professor of oceanography, for his outstanding achievements, and in recognition of his research and scholarly contributions to the University of Hawai‘i.
The award was presented in recognition of Drazen’s service to SOEST and advancing the state of scientific understanding of ecology and dynamics in the deep sea environment.
Additionally, Drazen was awarded the Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research. The University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents awards this medal in recognition of scholarly contributions that expand the boundaries of knowledge and enrich the lives of students and the community.
Craig Nelson, Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research & Creative Work award recipient
The SOEST Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research and Creative Work award was presented to Craig Nelson, associate researcher jointly appointed to the Department of Oceanography and Hawai‘i Sea Grant, for his outstanding mentorship of undergraduate students at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
The award was presented in recognition of Nelson’s dedication to SOEST students and service to the larger UH Mānoa undergraduate research initiative as a productive member of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Council.
Additionally, Nelson was awarded the Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research & Creative Work by the UH Mānoa Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship. The OVPRS awards this medal in recognition of faculty mentors who have shown dedicated and sustained excellence in faculty mentoring of undergraduate students in their research and creative work endeavors.
Article originally written by Marcie Grabowski for SOEST News.