UND Foundation Lydia and Arthur Saiki Award for Individual Excellence in Teaching – February 2009
Michael Atkinson, PhD
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy and of Anatomy and Cell Biology
Teaching students in person can be challenging enough. Teaching students in a satellite program several states away and making sure they get as wonderful a learning experience as those right there in the classroom may be too much to expect. But not for Dr. Michael Atkinson, who, since 1997, has been an associate professor at UND in a joint appointment with the departments of Occupational Therapy and Anatomy and Cell Biology. As his students in the Casper, WY, satellite program attest, they quickly forget that they are learning from a distance when they are taking classes from Dr. Atkinson.
     “Coming into the Casper satellite program, I was concerned that I would not be receiving personal attention because of the classes that are conducted over the teleconference system,” said Michael Seabeck. “I have found that this is far from the truth…. After a class or two, the fact the teacher is in another state is not even noticeable.”
     For his dedication, hard work, and commitment to his students, Dr. Atkinson has earned the UND Foundation/Saiki Award for Individual Excellence in Teaching.
     “Dr. Atkinson spends a lot of his personal time preparing and revising his lectures so that it is easier for us to learn,” said William Kennington, a student in Casper. “He is incredibly intelligent, yet has the ability to present the information on a level that we can all understand. He always has a positive attitude, keeps communication light, and makes learning enjoyable. Of all the teachers, he has mastered the long distance technology the best.”
     Dr. Atkinson’s colleagues in the Anatomy and Cell Biology Department say that he is known for continually going the extra mile. Despite his busy teaching and advising schedule, Dr. Atkinson finds time for his students if they need him.
     “I have seen him in the department on weekends and evenings with small groups of students demonstrating his unselfish availability,” wrote Dr. Edward Carlson of the Anatomy and Cell Biology Department.
     Dr. Atkinson also makes it a priority to stay on top of the latest developments and application of content to occupational therapy.
     “This is not an easy task,” said Dr. Janet Jedlicka, chair of the Occupational Therapy Department. “Dr. Atkinson took it upon himself to audit occupational therapy courses to develop a better understand of occupational therapy, how the curriculum is designed and practice settings occupational therapists. He has consulted with other faculty in the program to enhance student learning and ensure that the curriculum is organized and tracks in a coherent manner, applying principles of effective education. For example, he has worked with the curriculum committee to identify threads of the curriculum, review course objectives and learning content to ensure the curriculum builds on foundational course content and promotes advanced skill development.”
     Dr. Atkinson has served as a teacher, adviser and mentor to students and faculty alike.
     “Dr. Atkinson’s commitment to excellence in teaching extends beyond the students to helping faculty develop the skills and talents needed in academia,” Jedlicka said. “He is an advocate for the student and works diligently to foster an environment that supports learning.”
Marc McKinley
Member, Outstanding Faculty Awards Committee
UND Senior, Business Economics Major 
February 26, 2009

And, from the Founders Day Program: 
Since 1997, Dr. Michael Atkinson has been an associate professor at UND in a joint appointment with the Departments of Occupational Therapy and Anatomy and Cell Biology.
     “This position requires a strong educator who has a commitment and dedication to a wide variety of students with diverse learning needs and backgrounds,” said Dr. Janet Jedlicka, chair of the Occupational Therapy Department.  “Dr. Atkinson has demonstrated that commitment and has been a strong asset to furthering the teaching missions of both departments.”
     For his dedication, hard work, and commitment to his students, Atkinson has garnered the UND Foundation/Saiki Award for Individual Excellence in Teaching.
     At UND, Atkinson’s primary responsibility has been designing, directing and teaching two O.T. classes with intense science lecture and lab preparation for up to 36, first-year O.T. students in both the summer and fall semesters.  For both classes he has designed a teaching assistant opportunity for six to eight second-year O.T. students who mentor, guide, and teach first-year O.T. students during the lab portions of these courses. 
     Atkinson also serves an adviser for four to six first- and second-year O.T. students each year.  Since the 2006-07 academic year, he’s also advised four to six graduate students in the O.T. Department on their culminating scholarly projects.
     “Dr. Atkinson completes all teaching duties with great accomplishment, wisdom, dedication, inquisitiveness, energy, sense of humor, and always with compassion for students and the learning process,” wrote his colleagues Dr. Jan Stube, Dr. LaVonne Fox and Dr. Anne Haskins.
     And he’s not just teaching students at UND’s Grand Forks campus.  For the last two years he has simultaneously presented his neuroscience course to the O.T. students in Grand Forks and in the satellite program in Casper, Wyoming, using distance learning technology.  His students in Casper have nothing but praise for Atkinson as a teacher and a master of the technology necessary for them to be part of UND’s Occupational Therapy program.
     “Dr. Atkinson spends a lot of his personal time preparing and revising his lectures so that it is easier for us to learn,” said student William Kennington.  “He is incredibly intelligent, yet has the ability to present the information on a level that we can all understand.  He always has a positive attitude, keeps communication light, and makes learning enjoyable.  Of all the teachers, he has mastered the long-distance technology the best.”
     According to colleagues in the Anatomy and Cell Biology Department, “going the extra mile” is just part of Atkinson’s everyday routine.  Along with a busy teaching and advising schedule, Atkinson freely gives of his spare time if his students need him.
     “I have seen him in the department on weekends and evenings with small groups of students demonstrating his unselfish availability,” wrote Dr. Edward Carlson of the Anatomy and Cell Biology Department.  “Students consistently praise him not only for being willing to spend time with them but also for his wisdom in information presentation and his pleasant demeanor.”
     He’s also constantly striving to improve students’ experiences and offers suggestions for improved instruction and information delivery in the classroom.
     “In this regard, he developed a proposal for funding from the Student Technology Fee, which included more than $21,000 for purchase of a CCD camera, desktop video projector, and desktop computer for image acquisition, projection, and video production of instrumental material in human anatomy,” Carlson wrote.  “This proposal was selected for funding, and the proposed equipment was purchased and is regularly utilized by Dr. Atkinson and his colleagues.”
     “Dr. Michael Atkinson is accomplished, uses his intelligence to promote student learning and departmental growth, and is continually dedicated to increasing his own professional learning,” Stube, Fox and Haskins wrote.  “We, as occupational therapy colleagues, admire and applaud Dr. Atkinson for his consistent attention to the learning needs of occupational therapy students.  We feel profoundly grateful for his dedication to teaching future occupational therapy professionals and feel fortunate to call him our professional colleague.”

The UND Foundation Thomas J. Clifford Award for Graduate or Professional Teaching Excellence – February ’09
Patrick Carr, PhD
Associate Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology 
Dr. Patrick Carr’s students describe him as an exceptional teacher and mentor—someone who goes out of his way to make sure they are comfortable with the difficult material he teaches. Students say he is patient and supportive and doesn’t make them feel embarrassed if they ask silly questions. And they all agree that Dr. Carr, an associate professor in the Anatomy and Cell Biology Department, is incredibly deserving of the UND Foundation/Clifford Award for Graduate or Professional Teaching Excellence.
     Dr. Carr’s principle responsibilities have been teaching in the areas of human gross anatomy and neuroscience to students at a variety of levels, including undergraduates, graduate students, and medical students.
     “It has been my pleasure to teach alongside Dr. Carr and observe how he integrates his knowledge and expertise into a teaching style that is effective and well-received by students,” said Dr. Kenneth Ruit, associate professor and vice chairman of the Anatomy and Cell Biology Department. Dr. Ruit continued by saying, “He has high expectations of his students that can be demonstrated by his lecture learning objectives. In addition, those standards are reflected by his classroom and laboratory teaching delivery. He is able to establish a rapport with students that puts students at ease but also creates a stimulating and motivating learning environment.”
     And Dr. Carr’s students couldn’t agree more.
     “Dr. Carr has a magic way of teaching,” said second-year medical student, Tyson Bolinske. “He is able to take the most difficult topics and, through detailed notes, logically break down the material.”
     Dr. Carr’s students also feel that he wants them to succeed—even if that means working with them in his free time.
     “The care and concern that Dr. Carr demonstrates for his students extends beyond the normal classroom hours,” said student Jenna Cusic. This student explains a significant experience she had with Dr. Carr before her first block exams in medical school. Prior to the exams, she had some questions on some of the anatomy subject material. She set up a time with Dr. Carr to discuss those questions. Jenna writes…. “The meeting became longer than expected and I was not able to fully discuss all my questions. Although, Dr. Carr had no means of knowing this, he still contacted me after the session, asking if I still needed some extra time with him to review. To me this demonstrated a voluntary responsibility to his students, because he had already spent extra time out of class to help me, yet still followed up to clarify if I felt comfortable with the material.”
     And this isn’t an isolated incident. Student after student has a story to tell regarding how Dr. Carr has helped them on their educational journeys.
     “Dr. Pat Carr is the epitome of an outstanding teacher,” said second-year medical student, Zachary Ernst. “He is highly regarded by students and faculty alike. He makes the extra effort to create a learning environment that is interactive, fun and relaxed, while challenging students to strive to be their best. I believe these characteristics set him apart from his peers and that he is more than deserving of any awards or recognition which he may receive.”
Seth Maliske
MD Class of 2011
February 26, 2009

And, from the Founders Day Program
Voluminous. That’s one word to describe the many letters penned in support of Dr. Patrick Carr for the Outstanding Teacher Award.  Glowing is another.  But one thing is clear from all of the letters: Carr, an associate professor in the Anatomy and Cell Biology Department, is incredibly deserving of the UND Foundation/Clifford Award for Graduate or Professional Teaching Excellence.
     “His student evaluations and letters from students clearly demonstrate that he inspires learning, stimulates curiosity, promotes and stimulates independent thinking, sets high expectations but ensures students meet them, shows respect, and is an advocate for students in every way,” said Dr. Bryon Grove, associate professor of anatomy and cell biology.  “Moreover, Dr. Carr demonstrates a passion for developing and using innovative designs in course and curriculum content and a passion for trying new approaches to teaching.  There is no question that he serves as an outstanding role model for all students, be they professional students, graduate students or undergraduate students.”
     And the students agree. Carr has played an important role in meeting the educational mission of his department since joining the UND faculty in 1996.  His main responsibilities have been teaching in the areas of human gross anatomy and neuroscience to students at various levels, including undergraduates, graduate students, and medical students.
     “Dr. Pat Carr is an exceptional teacher and mentor,” said Jenna Cusic.  “As a student, I view him as a rare person who possesses a special teaching ability and an open attitude toward students which set him apart from other professors.  His teaching style stimulates critical thinking and independent learning, but allows students to express concerns and questions because they know Dr. Carr will always offer guidance that is knowledgeable and nonjudgmental.”
     Students appreciate Carr’s teaching style and his ability to make difficult topics understandable.  He uses diagrams, computer animations, clear, detailed notes, and real-life examples in his teaching.  He’s also available for students who need extra help or to guide students who want to research topics further.  Because of his dedication as a teacher, students look forward to learning from him — and he’s happy to oblige.
     “If one was to review the number of lectures given by Dr. Carr to first-year medical students, I am confident that Dr. Carr has given the most lectures of all School of Medicine faculty members,” said Tyson Bolinske, a second-year medical student.  “During our first-year anatomy lectures, faculty from the Anatomy and Cell Biology Department come to guide us on the process of dissection.  For many reasons, various faculty members would not be able to attend lab, but Dr. Carr was always there and happy to help.  Even though Dr. Carr teaches so many lectures throughout the year, students still want more.  Many times I have witnessed myself and other classmates saying, ‘I wish Dr. Carr could have taught that lecture.’”
     Carr also has been instrumental in curriculum design as well as curriculum delivery.
     “He has provided valuable help in the yearly redesign process of Block IV of the Year 1 medical curriculum and in the redesign of Anatomy 522, our department’s neuroscience course.  He is thoughtful, insightful, and innovative in the input he provides,” said Dr. Kenneth Ruit, associate professor and vice chair of the Anatomy and Cell Biology Department.  “Dr. Carr has principal responsibility for BIMD 510 — Biostatistics, a course that is a component of the school’s core graduate curriculum.  Having developed that course from the ground up, he now has student enrollments from across campus in his course because it is so well received. I give Dr. Carr my highest level of support for his efforts as an educator at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.  He is a colleague who makes all of our jobs easier because of his servant-minded leadership in educational endeavors and because he is so good at what he does.”

UND Foundation  Thomas J. Clifford Faculty Achievement Award for Excellence in Research – February ’09
Eric Murphy, PhD
Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics
Dr. Murphy has maintained a vigorous and productive research enterprise since his arrival at UND in 2000. His scholarly activity is international in scope and recognition, and his interests and productivity span the range from tradition bench-top biomedical research to translation of his expertise to multinational commercials ventures. He has been continuously well-funded at the federal level and through foundations since arriving here in 2000 and his creative output is outstanding. He has been the editor on a book, produced five book chapters and four editorials, and published more than 42 articles in international peer-reviewed journals since 2000. He has given more than 70 presentations, ranging from local talks to international lectures in the Netherlands, Russia, France, Japan, Austria and Argentina. He has also served his profession with distinction. He is editor-in-chief of the highly respected journal, Lipids, and he is handling editor for Journal of Neurochemistry. Commercially, he is the chief scientist for Agragen, which frequently takes him around the world to Russia, Finland and Canada.
Patrick Carr, PhD
Chair, UND Senate Scholarly Activity Committee
Associate Professor, Anatomy and Cell Biology
UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences
February 26, 2009

And, from the Founders Day Program:
Colleagues applaud Dr. Eric Murphy’s great enthusiasm and prowess in research.  His research includes the role of fatty acid binding proteins on heart and brain lipid metabolism; the impact of a-synuclein on brain lipid metabolism; brain lipid metabolism including ether lipids in neurodegenerative disease, and the impact of n-3 fatty acids on human health and disease.
     Since 2004, Murphy has published or has in press 31 manuscripts, according to Dr. Jonathan Geiger, professor of pharmacology, physiology, and therapeutics, and department chair.
     “Few people at UND have the strength of professional publications that Dr. Murphy has,” Geiger said.  “That level of productivity does not happen in a vacuum.  This indicates clearly that Dr. Murphy works well with his trainees, and he has a clear history of extracting from them great ideas and very high levels of productivity.”
     Murphy also has served as a reviewer for numerous publications and has found great success in business.
     “It is rare to find a productive academic who is also successful on the business end of science. Dr. Murphy clearly functions very well in both realms,” Geiger said.
     “He is chief scientific officer for Agragen, an international company.  And, as a result of his experience in the biotechnology field, he provides great service to UND on matters of intellectual property, confidentiality and technology transfer.”
     In addition, Murphy serves as handling editor for the Journal of Neurochemistry and is editor-in-chief for Lipids.
     “What makes this more impressive is that he held both of these positions while still an untenured assistant professor in this department,” Geiger said.
     Murphy also serves as a member of the American Society for Neurochemistry and helps organize the group’s meetings and administers the annual awards programs.  He is a member of the International Society for Neurochemistry, the American Oil Chemists’ Society, the International Society for Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids, the American Heart Association, the United Leukodystrophy Foundation, and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
     While Murphy’s outstanding contributions to research are already recognized, people who know him realize what he’s done is only the beginning of what he will likely yet accomplish in his career.
     “History is usually a good indicator of the future, and I have great confidence that we will be hearing of further successes from him,” Geiger said.

 The UND Foundation/McDermott Award for Departmental Excellence in Teaching – February ‘09
The Department of Occupational Therapy
Janet Jedlicka, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair
Michael Atkinson, Ph.D., Associate Professor (and Associate Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology)
Gail Bass, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
LaVonne Fox, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Debra Hanson, M.S., Assistant Professor
Anne Haskins, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Cindy Janssen-Holweger, M.O.T., Assistant Professor
Jan Stube, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Sonia Zimmerman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Joni Armstrong, Adjunct Lecturer
Judy Godfread, Adjunct Lecturer
Sarah Nielsen, Adjunct Lecturer
Lance Norman, Adjunct Lecturer
For its dedication to its students, the University of North Dakota, and the occupation therapy profession in general, the Department of Occupational Therapy has earned the UND Foundation/McDermott Award for Departmental Excellence in Teaching.
     “The O.T. Department faculty qualifies for this award because of their outstanding hard work and constant effort to help us as students develop into future therapists,” wrote the Phi Theta Epsilon (PTE) O.T. Honor Society students in nominating the department.  “The faculty is constantly challenging us to think as occupational therapists, and not simply as students here to get a degree.”
     The faculty also treats the students as individuals and cares what each thinks and how each learns.
      “Individual faculty members are continually seeking feedback from students to optimize their learning experience,” said student Katie Carlson. “Our curriculum has been modified to address learner needs as well as to stay current within the O.T. profession and health care system.”
     Instructors also go beyond regular classroom instruction and promote hands-on, experimental learning.
     “For example, rather than simply discussing the completion of an O.T. home evaluation, one faculty member opened her home for students to come and observe a context-specific mock evaluation,” Carlson said.  “Rather than simply reading about a patient diagnosis and seeking to understand, our faculty has us participate in sensory labs to mock the patient’s experience.  I believe these learning opportunities will develop me and my fellow students into more compassionate and knowledgeable therapists.”
     Faculty members make use of many different teaching approaches to keep students attentive and interested.  These range from offering case studies of real-life situations, group discussions, and PowerPoint lectures to having students teach other students, and offering lab time, presentations and more traditional lectures.
     Students say faculty members truly care about them as whole human beings with lives that extend beyond the classroom and often ask how things are going.  If they see a student struggling, instructors do all they can to help.  And that may be because of the personal connections between the faculty and students.  Faculty members not only know their students’ first names, they also know their last names, along with their individual strengths and weaknesses.
     “They check in with us because they honestly care,” Carlson said.  “I do not believe that happens in other programs at UND.  Faculty go above and beyond the traditional teaching role to assist students in becoming better people, both professionally and personally.”
     The students say the faculty is willing to accommodate students’ schedules and ready with advice and help when students ask for it.
     “The faculty is always approachable, and they treat their students with respect in a way that the students feel more like a co-worker than just another student,” according to the PTE students.  “Their teaching style is democratic in nature, and the students never feel inferior to the faculty.
These teachers deserve this award because they put their heart and soul into their job every day, and we want to show them how much we truly appreciate them.”

The Fellows of the University Award for Departmental Excellence in Service – February ’09
The Department of Physical Therapy 
Thomas Mohr, Ph.D., Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor and Chair
Meridee Danks, D.P.T., Assistant Professor
Cynthia Flom-Meland, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Sue Jeno, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Beverly Johnson, D.Sci., Associate Professor
Renee Mabey, Ph.D., Professor
Peggy Mohr, Ph.D., Associate Professor
David Relling, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Mark Romanick, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Schawnn Decker, D.P.T., Part-Time Assistant Professor
Michelle LaBrecque, D.P.T., Part-Time Assistant Professor
For its exceptional record of service at the community, state, regional and national levels, the Department of Physical Therapy has won the Fellows of the University Award for Departmental Excellence in Service.
     “I strongly believe our department meets all of the qualifications for the award, and that our faculty, as a whole, do an outstanding job of providing their time and talents to a large number of committees and organizations from the community level to the national level,” said Dr. Thomas Mohr, department chair.
     The list of service activities the department’s staff is involved in not only is distinguished, it seems almost endless.  Mohr has served on the Board of Directors for the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, an elected position for an organization that oversees the regulation and licensure for all physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in the United States.
     Dr. Renee Mabey is involved with the American Physical Therapy Association as a consultant/reviewer regarding outcomes assessment in the profession.  She also has served as chair for the UND Assessment Committee for Higher Learning Commission’s re-accreditation visit and as chair of the Health Sciences Curriculum Committee for the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
      Dr. Beverly Johnson has been a team leader for CAPTE, which accredits all PT and PTA programs.  She’s also involved with the North Dakota Physical Therapy Association, for which she has also served as president.
      Dr. Peggy Mohr has twice been elected vice president for the Pediatrics Section of the American Physical Therapy Association.  She also has been a part of efforts to set up several statewide programs that connect family members and parents of children with disabilities to other like families to provide support and help.
      Dr. Susan Jeno is serving as UND’s NCAA Faculty Athletics representative, chair of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, and treasurer for the North Dakota Physical Therapy Association.
     Dr. David Relling is serving as co-chair of the Examination Development Committee for the Federal of State Boards of Physical Therapy.  Dr. Mark Romanick is the executive director and past president of the North Dakota Athletic Trainers Association.  Dr. Meridee Danks is on the Board of Directors of the North Dakota Physical Therapy Association and is that organization’s newsletter editor.  And Dr. Cindy Flom-Meland serves as chief delegate for the North Dakota Physical Therapy Association to the American Physical Therapy Association’s House of Delegates, which sets policies regarding the profession.  She also heads up a pro bono clinic for patients who no longer qualify for rehabilitation services.
      And this is only a brief view into some of their service activities.  The part-time faculty and students of the department also are committed to service as well.
      “In summary, I strongly believe our department has developed a long history of service activity at the university, state, regional and national levels,” Dr. Thomas Mohr said.  “In addition, many of the faculty have strong commitments to Grand Forks community organizations and are very involved with those organizations, as indicated in their service records.  Their dedication to organizations outside their professional lives is a true indicator of their service commitment.