First-Year Experience

First-Year Experience Awards

Each year, First-Year Experience invites the University community to submit nominations for awards which recognize excellence in the teaching and mentoring of first-year students at Georgia Southern University:

The First-Year Experience Advisory Council selects the recipients, who receive an engraved plaque and a cash prize.  The awards are funded by First-Year Experience and Phi Eta Sigma, the first-year student honor society.

Nomination forms for the 2010 awards can be accessed here, and are due February 11, 2010. 

Outstanding Advocate for First-Year Students

The Outstanding Advocate for First-Year Students award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the academic and/or personal lives of first-year students.  The award can recognize any faculty or staff member (except previous winners or full-time staff in the FYE office); the nominee does not have to have taught FYE 1220.  For 2009, the FYE Council made two awards: one for a faculty member and one for a staff member.

2009 Faculty Recipient

The 2009 Faculty Outstanding Advocate for First-Year Students was Dr. Daniel Czech, Associate Professor of Health and Kinesiology. 

Dr. Czech served as a member of the FYE Faculty Task Force that initially envisioned or recommended several important initiatives.  These include the thematic First-Year Seminar, Conversations with Professors, Global Citizens course, changes to the midterm grades that have now been implemented, and limiting the number of course withdrawals students can take.  His "Psychology of Success" FYE 1220, which he has offered fall, spring and summer this academic year, is very popular with students.  Provost Dr. Linda Bleicken presented the award during his FYE 1220 section this spring.

Above (from left to right):  FYE Director Dr. Chris Caplinger, Chair of Health and Kinesiology Dr. Barry Joyner, Provost Bleicken, Czech, Dean of Health and Human Sciences Dr. Fred Whitt, and Associate Dean Dr. Diana Cone.

Below:  Dr. Czech with students in his Spring 2009 "Psychology of Success" FYE 1220 seminar.  

 

 2009 Staff Recipient

The 2009 Staff Outstanding First-Year Advocate was Bob Frigo, Assistant Director of the University Honors Program.

Mr. Frigo coordinated the supplemental aspects for honors sections of the First-Year Seminar.  He taught what is now FYE 1220 since its initial pilot stages and has been instrumental in assessing the course.  He also served on the Global Citizens Task Force and taught a pilot section of the Global Citizens course in Spring 2009.  Provost Dr. Linda Bleicken presented the award in his UHON 1191 course this spring.

Above (left to right):  Global Citizens Graduate Assistant Emmanuel Clottey, FYE Director Dr. Chris Caplinger, Frigo, Provost Bleicken, Honors Director Dr. Steve Engel and FYE Coordinator of Advisement Ellen Murkison.

Below:  Frigo with students in his UHON 1191 course.
 
Previous Winners
  • 2008 (Faculty): Jessica Orvis, Assistant Professor and Director of General Chemistry
  • 2008 (Staff): Janet O'Brien, Director of the Academic Success Center
  • 2007:  Dr. Michelle Cawthorn, Assistant Professor of Biology
  • 2006:  Dr. Donna Saye, Assistant Professor of Mathematics
  • 2005:  Kellie Pickett, Coordinator of New Student and Parent Programs

FYE Peer Leader of the Year

The FYE Peer Leader of the Year award recognizes a peer leader who works in harmony with his or her FYE 1220 faculty member to provide a quality classroom experience while engaging students in the overall University community and serving as a positive role model.

The 2009 recipient was Brandi Heath, a junior Chemistry major.  She has served as a peer leader for four semesters.  In the Fall 2008, she worked with Dr. Donna Saye, who surprised her with the award during peer leader training for Fall 2009, after they jointly led a session on the faculty/peer leader relationship.

Left:  Dr. Saye and Brandi Heath.

Previous Winners

  • 2008:  Erin Rice, senior Psychology major
  • 2007:  Synovia Edwards, senior Psychology major
  • 2006:  Amanda Fischer, senior Biology major
  • 2005:  Abby Lynes, senior Human Resources Management major

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