Three Case faculty members recognized for excellence in graduate
teaching
English, theater and dance, anthropology faculty
win 2005 Diekhoff Award
May 6, 2005 | For more information: Laura
M. Massie 216-368-4442
Case Western Reserve University has recognized three faculty members
for their excellence in graduate teaching. The
2005 winners of Case’s
John S. Diekhoff Award are Kimberly Emmons, from
the department of English; Gary Galbraith, department
of theater and dance; and Janet McGrath, department
of anthropology.
The Diekhoff Award honors John S. Diekhoff, who served Case Western
Reserve University in several capacities from 1956 to 1970: as professor
of English, chair of the Department of English, dean of Cleveland College,
acting dean of the School of Graduate Studies, and Vice Provost of the
university. A committee of graduate and professional students reviews
nominations and recommends winners.
This year, the Diekhoff Award, given for outstanding contributions
to the education of graduate students through advising and classroom
teaching, is shared by three faculty members – one in the social
sciences, and two in the humanities. The selection committee chose these
three professors because they epitomize what it means to mentor graduate
students: making every effort to connect them with experts in their
discipline; engaging students academically in a forthright and collegial
manner; and actively promoting their professional development.
Janet W. McGrath
Associate Professor of Anthropology, Director of
Graduate Programs in Anthropology, and Assistant
Professor of International Health, Case School
of Medicine
Although her areas of interest and expertise are broad—biological
and biomedical anthropology, international health,
and urban health in the United States and Africa—Dr. McGrath’s
primary research efforts since 1988 have focused on HIV/AIDS, with an
emphasis on Uganda. She has participated in the Case-Uganda HIV/AIDS
research collaboration since its inception, taking part in many studies
on the risk, transmission, and impact of the disease. More recently,
she has looked at new strategies for prevention, especially vaginal
microbicides. This year she received funding from the World Health Organization
to investigate the role of social networks and social supports in controlling
tuberculosis in Kampala, Uganda. The graduate students nominating McGrath
are eloquent in describing her attention to their financial and academic
concerns as well as her tireless support for their growth as scholars
and researchers. One notes that Dr. McGrath is an excellent advisor
and a compassionate mentor, who makes a concerted effort to include
students in professional activities, despite a heavy teaching, research,
and administrative workload.
Gary Galbraith
Associate Professor, Department of Theater and
Dance, and Artistic Director, Mather Dance Ensemble
Professor Galbraith brings nationally recognized dance technique, international
touring experience, and innovation in choreography to his work with
graduate students in Case’s Mather Dance Center. He is a principal
dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company, for which he has performed
in many prestigious and demanding roles, including Jason in “The
Cave of the Heart” and the Revivalist in “Appalachian Spring.” He
has also danced with the Jose Limon Dance Company and has been guest
artist with dance companies in Brazil, Israel, Switzerland, and Turkey.
Professor Galbraith is also at the forefront of Dance Wellness, a new
sub-discipline. He founded the Dance Wellness Program at Case, and it
is considered a model nationally and internationally. In 2002, Professor
Galbraith’s work “Kinetic Shadows,” for six dancers
and five musicians performed simultaneously in Los Angeles and Cleveland
using Internet2, three video streams, and surround sound, broke new
ground in dance staging. Gary Galbraith is described by the graduate
students he works with as “intuitive, supportive, challenging,
and giving,” having a rare ability to understand each student’s
learning style and to adapt his teaching accordingly.
Kimberly Emmons
Assistant Professor, Department of English and Rhetoric,
and Director of Composition
Professor Emmons joined the English department at Case in 2003, and
in the short time since, she has distinguished herself as scholar, teacher,
and tireless advocate for graduate students. A discourse analyst, she
studies how we use language to define both mental health and mental
illness. In addition to teaching courses in the history of English,
language and gender and rhetoric, Kimberly Emmons is involved in developing
the University Center for the Study of Writing, which will offer campus-wide
writing support and create opportunities for cross-disciplinary writing
research. She has designed courses, such as “Digital Literacies,” that
immerse students in discussions of emerging theories and prepare them
to make their own contributions to the field. Graduate students appreciate
Professor Emmons’s warm, approachable manner and her exceptional
generosity. She is always willing to help someone formulate a research
question, shape a presentation, or improve a piece of writing. In addition,
she is a respectful supervisor, encouraging an independent working style
that serves students well in the job market.
About Case Western Reserve University
Case is among the nation's leading research institutions. Founded in 1826
and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and Western
Reserve University, Case is distinguished by its strengths in education, research,
service, and experiential learning. Located in Cleveland, Case offers nationally
recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, Engineering,
Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work. http://www.case.edu.
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