Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: News

Members of SJSU staff celebrated the work that fellow faculty have achieved, some reaching a 40-year mark here at SJSU.

Four SJSU professors were honored at the Ninth Annual Faculty Service Recognition and Awards Luncheon on Wednesday afternoon for their contributions to the university.

Professor Marlene Turner, recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, said it was an honor to be selected.

"San Jose State is a very special place," Turner said at the celebration in the Student Union Barrett Ballroom. "It's filled with special colleagues and special students who make the institution a wonderful place that is really all about opportunity and achievement."

Professors Jeanne Linsdell, from the College of Engineering, Karen Singmaster, from the College of Science, and Richard Tieszen, from the College of Humanities, and the Arts were also presented with awards: the Outstanding Lecturer Award, Outstanding Professor Award and President's Scholar Award, respectively.

SJSU President Don Kassing said he was very proud and pleased with the winners of the awards.

"Each one of them makes significant and powerful contributions to this university," Kassing said. "We do this every year, and you think you'd run out of talent, but we don't."

Although the ceremony focused on the four award winners, about 70 faculty members were recognized as honorees for the amount of time they served at SJSU.

Honorees were placed in six categories from up to 15 years to 40-plus years of service.

Kassing added that the luncheon was a perfect time to show gratitude toward faculty members.

"They are very modest in who they are, and they don't look for credit," Kassing said. "They kind of stand in the background, and we get a chance to get them out in the sunlight ... and express appreciation for what they do."

The Barrett Ballroom was filled with staff, faculty and supporters who applauded everyone who was involved in the ceremony.

Valerie Gonzales, special projects coordinator of the president's office, said she was pleased to see that so many people attended.

"We sold out of tickets this year," Gonzales said.

Outstanding Lecturer Award recipient Jeanne Linsdell said in her acceptance speech that she remembered when she first came to SJSU.

"I was a student and then became a teacher," Linsdell said. "I'm so glad I did."

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