Three FSU Faculty Members Honored

Three Fairmont State University faculty members were honored at the recent 28th annual Academic Awards Ceremony.

Dr. Warren Baker, Assistant Professor of Education, has been named this year’s recipient of the William A. Boram Award for Teaching Excellence.

The Faculty Development Committee selected Baker as the winner of the 21st annual Boram Award in recognition of his outstanding achievement as demonstrated by his sustained, energetic and successful commitment to teaching. The award honors a faculty member who has demonstrated unusual dedication and accomplishments in teaching.

“Warren quietly works his magic with students,” said Denice Kirchoff, a member of the Faculty Development Committee, who presented Baker with the award. “His students say he is one of the most caring and dedicated individuals they have ever had the opportunity to know, and he goes the extra mile to get to know each and every one of them.”

Baker joined the FS faculty in the School of Education in 1992. He is actively involved in campus-wide and community activities. He serves as director of two successful summer programs: the Middle School Institute and the Future Teachers Academy. The goals of these programs are to inspire youth to set high goals for themselves and to work toward attending college. In planning for these programs, Baker contacts in-state and out-of-state schools to recruit middle and high school students to come to FS to learn about science, mathematics, college life and teaching. The Future Teachers Academy not only won a competitive grant, but it also won a national award from Kappa Delta Pi International for Exceptional Special Programming. As a result of the Academy, many campers have chosen to attend FS to pursue a degree in teacher education. Baker also plays a major role in student-athlete relations, organized the minority student mentoring program, supervises student teachers and is the liaison for the minority teaching fellow.

Kimberly Murphy, Associate Professor of Safety/Environmental Engineering Technology, was honored with the Excellence in Academic Advising Award.

The award is presented to honor demonstrated excellence and commitment to the significant force that academic advisors play in the education, personal development and success of their advisees. It is offered as a tribute but also as encouragement to all faculty advisors to persist in their efforts to help students achieve.

“Kim is dedicated, enthusiastic and extremely accessible to students,” said Pam Stephens, Coordinator of Academic Advising. “As one nomination form states, ‘She keeps her office door open to students all day, every day.’ Most importantly, she makes a remarkable difference in the success, growth and development of students.”

Murphy joined the FS safety/environmental engineering technology faculty in 1990. She is a Certified Safety Professional and a Certified Safety and Health Manager. She holds a Master of Science degree in occupational health and safety engineering from West Virginia University and a Bachelor of Science degree in safety engineering technology from FS. Since 2000, she has served as an adjunct faculty member in industrial technology engineering with California University of Pennsylvania. Since 1989, she has served as owner and a consultant for occupational health and safety with Advanced Safety Consulting Services.

Bill Bickerstaff, Director of Campus and Occupational Safety and adjunct professor in the Safety and Environmental Engineering Technology program, has been named this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award.

“Bill has been an asset to the program as well as a mentor to the students,” said Jim Goodwin, Chair of the Department of Technology. “Bill has influenced and motivated students to improve academically, professionally and personally. Students respect and admire not only the man but also his accomplishments.”

Bickerstaff has served as an adjunct professor for the past eight years. During that time, he has taught introductory courses to senior-level design courses with a focus on electrical safety and machine guarding. He is currently teaching a disaster preparedness course that incorporates first-responder information and societal needs. He is a Certified Safety Professional, a Certified Safety and Health Manager, a trainer for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Outreach Programs for general and construction industries and a Federal Emergency Management Agency trainer.

All three faculty awards are supported by gifts to the Fairmont State Foundation, Inc. To make a gift online, click here.