Academic ExcellenceYaron Felus - 2007 
Dr. Yaron Felus came to the Surveying Engineering Department from the Ohio State University where he received his Doctoral degrees in Civil Engineering and Geodetic Science.He has been published in a variety of journals such as the Journal of Surveying Engineering, Journal of Cartography and Geographic Information Science, Survey Review, Journal of Marine Geodesy, Geomatica, and Journal of Surveying and Land Information Science. He co-wrote three book chapters and presented his work in many conferences. Dr. Felus is a Professional Surveyor and the 2005 recipient of the Duane Brown Award. He has received grants from Ferris, the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, NASA's Earth Science Enterprise, and private companies. Dr. Felus is the co-advisor of the Burt and Mullett Student Chapter. During his tenure, he has effectively explored innovative ways of facilitating student learning through field projects and advanced use of distance learning technologies. Andrew Kantar - 2006 
Andy Kantar, professor of English, teaches Adolescent Literature, Advanced Scientific Writing and various courses in technical writing. He is an author of literary nonfiction for young adults. Dr. Kantar's first book, 29 Missing: The True and Tragic Story of the Disappearance of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, was designated a Notable Book by the State of Michigan. In 2006, The Michigan State University Press released Black November: The Carl D. Bradley Tragedy. Dr. Kantar is currently working on the last book in his shipwreck trilogy. For two years, he also served as a Senior Fulbright Scholar in Norway.James Paramore - 2005 (Emeritus) 
Dr. Paramore's interests in the Michigan College of Optometry included contact lenses, vision ergonomics and ethics. During his tenure, he has effectivity explored innovative ways of facilitating student learning through lecture, labs and clinical instruction.He has also taught ethics, challenging students to look critically at their role as health professionals, and their responsibilities to patients and their communities. In addition, Paramore has excelled in scholarship. He has published in a variety of journals such as the Journal of the American Optometric Association, the International Contact Lens Clinic Journal and The Michigan Optometrist. Dr. Paramore was the recipient of the Michigan Optometric Association's Emil Arnold Award and his accomplishments have been acknowledged at the national level by his involvement as a manuscript referee for the Journal of the American Optometric Association, Review of Optometry, International Contact Lens Clinic, Optometry and Vision Science, and his membership on the Review Board for the Journal of Optometric Education. He was the point person for the development of the new optometry curriculum, making significant contributions to the program by leading the curricular change as well as his lifetime dedication to MCO. Phillip Watson - 2005 
Dr. Watson, professor of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, has designed the Forensic Biology track at Ferris and has developed popular instructive Web pages for mock crime scene instruction. He has also been involved in the Ferris Study Abroad program.Watson has received numerous grants from Ferris, U.S. AID and the U.S. Forest Service. He was a Senior Fulbright Fellow, teaching in Africa in 1993 and 1994. He has published 10 source books or lab manuals and contributed or co-authored numerous research articles in his areas of specialty. He has also authored the "Forensic Biology Laboratory Manual" and "Environmental Science Quick Notes." A student of his best captured his dedication when he wrote: "Dr. Watson is an excellent instructor. He uses technology in his classes, mixes media and involves the class through discussion, assigned readings and in-class activities. He uses much humor and students talk about his sense of adventure and wonder." Watson received his bachelor's in Biology and master's in Zoology from Eastern Michigan University and his doctorate in Entomology from the University of Illinois. He teaches a wide variety of ecological and entomological courses as well as a forensic course. He is a member of numerous scientific societies and has traveled extensively in Africa, South and Central America and Vietnam. His research areas are the biodiversity of insects and forensic entomology. J. Randall Vance - 2004 
Dr. J. Randall Vance received the Master of Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees from The Ohio State University. He served as an optometry officer in the United States Army Medical Department at Fort Campbell, Kentucky before being appointed to the faculty of the College of Optometry in 1979. During his tenure, he has served as Assistant Director of Clinics, and Director of Clinics. He currently teaches in the clinical optometric procedures courses and Web seminar courses, and has been very active in the development of Web-based courseware to improve optometric teaching and learning.Dr. Vance also serves the University's Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning as a part-time E-Learning Consultant. In this capacity, he is involved in conducting faculty training in online delivery and assessment of instruction, and consulting with faculty and administration regarding online teaching and learning issues. He has presented lectures and workshops in the areas of indirect ophthalmoscopy, visual fields instrumentation and interpretation, new technologies for glaucoma detection and management, and Web-based instruction. He has published an instructional CD-ROM on binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy. He is a past recipient of the Michigan Optometric Association's Educator of the Year Award, Ferris State University's Distinguished Teacher Award, and the Award for Academic Excellence. He is a consultant for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, and the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. 
Robert Burtch - 2003 A professor in the Surveying Engineering Program, Robert teaches courses in surveying, geographic information systems, photogrammetry and geodesy. He is a Professional Surveyor in Michigan (Michigan State Board of Professional Surveyors) and a Certified Photogrammetrist through the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS ).Burch is involved professionally and seeks to encourage students to become involved as well. This includes organizations such as the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors, which represents surveyors within the state, the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM), the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS ), the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA), and the Institute of Navigation (ION). 
Abdollah Ferdowsi - 2002 Abdollah Ferdowsi, Ph.D., a professor of Accounting, Economics and Applied Statistics in the College of Business, received the prestigious Distinguished Teacher Award from his colleagues in 2001. Dr. Ferdowsi carries an exemplary record of professional development activities, involvement with students both in and out of the classroom, and participation in the University community. Ferdowsi, who joined the faculty in 1984, devotes substantial time and effort to keeping current in his field and contributes to his professional society meetings and literature. He has attended and contributed to many teaching-related conferences both on and off campus, including the "Learning, the Learner, and Teaching Methodology" workshop sponsored by the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning.Sandra Alspach - 2001 
Sandy spent 15 years teaching high school English and coaching speech, debate and theatre in Lancaster, Ohio before beginning her doctorate work at Ohio University in Communication. Her studies prepared her to develop and teach courses ranging from classical rhetoric to contemporary cultural studies. She has written two textbooks for her college classes: an introduction to communication theories and a public speaking textbook.Since her move into higher education, Sandy has focused on intercultural and diversity issues. She is active in teaching in this area and serves as a facilitator for the Jim Crow Museum at Ferris. In 2001 she and her husband Greg led their first Study Abroad group to England, Scotland and Wales. In 2003 and 2005 the team introduced students to the Celtic culture in Scotland and Ireland. A 2007 Celtic trip is in the planning stages. She continues to be involved with competitive speaking, coaching Ferris students in speech and debate activities. Since 1985 she has been a member of Pi Kappa Delta national forensics honorary, serving as president of that organization in the 2005-2007 biennium. Sandy was co-author of the Applied Speech Communication (B.S.) program and the Communication (B.A.) program, serving as Program Coordinator from 2001 to 2007. She teaches a course specifically designed for speech communication teaching minors to help them prepare to coach high school forensics, direct competitive and festival theatre activities, and advise journalism/broadcasting co-curricular programs. 
David Pilgrim - 2000 Professor David Pilgrim consistently maintains an open, student-centered classroom environment and remains committed to the success of his students.As the primary donor and curator of the University's Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, Dr. Pilgrim as been widely quoted by such national media outlets as the New York Times, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times and National Public Radio concerning issues of race and culture. Also, he is beginning work on the Sarah Baartman Room, which will be devoted to understanding historical and contemporary sexism. In addition to his teaching duties, Pilgrim is a consultant to the Public Museum of Grand Rapids' Ethnic History Exhibit and was recently elected to the Michigan Museums Association's Board of Directors. He has taught at Ferris State since 1990. 
Maryanne Heidemann - 2000 Maryanne Heidemann teaches German in the Department of Languages and Literature. She initiated and has built the German program and leads Study Abroad tours to Germany every other year. She has been active in faculty governance at the departmental and college levels, serving three terms on the Academic Senate and two years as Senate vice president. She received the Distinguished Teacher Award in 1999.Professor Heidemann has received two Fulbright awards, studying at the University of Göttingen in Germany and participating in the 1990 Fulbright Summer Seminar. She is the secretary of the Michigan chapter of the American Association of the Teachers of German. She helps coordinate Fulbright activities on campus and teaches a seminar for students interested in nationally competitive scholarships. 
Adnan Dakkuri - 2000 Professor Dakkuri has been on the faculty of the College of Pharmacy (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences) since 1976. He teaches pharmaceutics and drug delivery, product design and development, and a seminar in pharmaceutical science.In addition to the Award for Academic Excellence (2000), Dr. Dakkuri was selected for the Michigan Association of Governing Boards of State Universities Distinguished Faculty Award and the International Educator of the Year Award. He also served as president of the Academic Senate for two consecutive terms (2004-2006). Dr. Dakkuri holds a B.S. in Pharmacy from the American University of Beirut and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is also a founding member of the Critical Thinking Institute at Ferris. |