Five ISU faculty members named Outstanding Public Service Award recipients

Five Idaho State University faculty have received 2007 Outstanding Public Service Awards. One will receive the 2007 ISU Distinguished Public Service Award at Commencement May 12.

Receiving 2007 Outstanding Public Service Awards are Cynthia D. Hill, PhD, economics; Willis McAleese, PhD, health and nutrition sciences; Habib Sadid, PhD, engineering; John M. Schroeder, JD, physician assistant program; and Carla Wiggins, PhD, health care administration.

Robert A. Wharton, PhD, ISU provost and vice president of academic affairs, says, “Idaho State University is extremely fortunate to have faculty on staff with such dedication in serving our students and the entire University community.”

Hill, associate professor of economics, has a doctoral degree from Washington State University. Her extensive public service benefits the community, ISU and its students. As Gateway Habitat for Humanity director of resource development, she organizes successful fundraisers and writes grants that have greatly increased income. She was co-chair of the Pocatello First United Methodist Church/Tender Loving Care capital campaign that raised more than $157,000. Her many ISU activities include advising Mortar Board, directing the University Honors Program, and coordinating the “Reading Is Leading” book drive and reading campaign for disadvantaged youth.

McAleese, chair of the department of health and nutrition sciences, has a doctoral degree in health and physical education from the University of New Mexico. He works with a variety of school-age children in Pocatello, including the Early Intervention program, youth at risk, and mentoring youth in reading and writing. He is a member of the Idaho Safe and Drug Free Schools Advisory Board and has served the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance on the national, regional and state levels as an officer and journal reviewer.

Sadid, professor of engineering, has a doctorate from Washington State University. A four-time recipient of this award, he lends his engineering and other skills to many community projects. A 10-year board member of the Portneuf Greenway Foundation, he has helped build biking and running trails, small parks and overlooks along the Portneuf River, and the Meditation Garden for Bannock Youth Foundation. At ISU, he is president of Sigma Xi, the scientific research society, initiated the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, teaches ethics and professionalism for freshman and senior engineering students, promotes engineering in high schools and is active in national engineering organizations.

Schroeder, director of the physician assistant program, has a juris doctor degree from the University of Tulsa. In 2002, he helped initiate Idaho Falls’ annual AIDS awareness fundraiser. Last year, “Breaking Boundaries” raised $40,000 to help Southeast Idaho AIDS victims pay medical expenses and raise community awareness of the disease. Breaking Boundaries has merged with the non-profit Southeast Idaho AIDS Coalition (SEIAC) and in 2006 Schroeder served as president of its board. The group’s expanded activities also now benefit disadvantaged youth, high school athletes, children with disabilities, and youth with adverse family situations who must leave their homes.

Wiggins, chair of the health care administration program, has a doctoral degree from the University of Minnesota. She is a longstanding member of the Portneuf Medical Center’s governing and foundation boards, uses her specialized knowledge on many of its committees, and is currently vice chair of the governing board. Her work on one committee resulted in the purchase of a mobile mammography unit. She has a long service in the national organization Association of University Programs in Healthcare Administration, including serving on its board and creating its women in management forum and the first-ever AUPHA undergraduate workshop.