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IUKAA honors Marcia Gillette for distinguished service
April 29, 2004 | |||||
KOKOMO, Ind.—The IU Kokomo Alumni Association will present its Distinguished Service Award May 1 to Senior Lecturer in Chemistry Marcia Gillette, Ph.D. She received her honor at the annual Cream and Crimson Dinner on campus.
Marcia Gillette has taught at IU Kokomo for 28 years. She began as an adjunct faculty member in 1976, became a lecturer in 1983, and was named a senior lecturer in 2002. She has taught numerous chemistry courses, freshmen seminar courses, and freshmen learning communities. “Dr. Gillette has always been supportive of IU Kokomo’s mission,” said Robert Roales, Ph.D., chairman of the Department of Natural, Information, and Mathematical Sciences (NIMS). “Students often seek her help, even when they are not enrolled in her classes. She is willing to help her colleagues in their many projects, from consulting on research projects to the editing of manuscripts.” Roales cited Gillette’s active participation in department and campus committees, and her pursuit of the scholarship of teaching. She has published dozens of laboratory exercises through a national publisher. Gillette is “an outstanding campus citizen,” said Chancellor Ruth Person. “Not only does Dr. Gillette excel in the classroom, but she is a true advocate for science education.” From 1995–2000, Gillette provided hands-on laboratory experiences for participants in Project VISION, a program designed to enable area elementary, middle, and high school teachers to better understand the real-world business and industrial applications of the science they teach. Gillette helped coordinate the 16th Indiana State Science and Engineering Fair, held on campus April 3. She has directed the Indiana Academy of Science Talent Search, a statewide competition for high school juniors and seniors, since 2001 and judged the East Central Indiana Regional Science Fair from 1985–2002. She has coordinated the Howard County Science Fair since 1998, and was instrumental in having IU Kokomo host the event in recent years. She has been a judge for that fair since 1978. “Judging at science fairs is a form of teaching,” Gillette said. “The biggest role a judge plays is to help students better understand the work they have done, and to encourage them to continue their interest in science.” With such guidance, “even students whose projects have ‘failed’ can learn a great deal about the nature of scientific inquiry.” Gillette said. “I have always felt enormous gratitude for my association with IU Kokomo and, particularly, for my associations with my colleagues in NIMS,” Gillette said. “It is teamwork and cooperation that keeps a big ship like IU Kokomo afloat. If we all don’t step to the plate as needed, the enterprise suffers. Fortunately for me, I am part of a department that not only shares this philosophy but puts it into practice.”
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