Notable

Beverly M. Brown, a professor in Educational Psychology and Special Education, has been selected for the Association of Specialists in Group Work's Eminent Career Award. The award honors her exemplary scholarship, service and leadership in the field of group work. The highest award bestowed by the organization recognizes major contributions to the field of group work.

Amber M. Britton, a graduate student in Educational Psychology, has been selected as a 2005 American Counseling Association Ross Trust Graduate Scholarship recipient. The scholarship is designed to honor counselor education students at doctoral and master's levels who are preparing for roles in education, and who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and volunteerism. The award includes a $1,000 scholarship, a one-year membership in the Amercan Counseling Association, and complimentary registration for the 2005 or 2006 ACA conference.

Clay Nielsen, wildlife ecologist at the Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory and director of Scientific Research for the Cougar Network has received initial funding to begin creating a model of potential cougar habitat in Midwestern North America. This project represents the first large-scale habitat modeling effort for cougars in the Midwest, a region wherein the Cougar Network has documented more than two dozen cougar confirmations in the past two years. The habitat model will identify landscape factors affecting cougar habitat potential in the Midwest, and serve as a useful planning tool for wildlife conservation agencies and non-government organizations.

M Stalls, a developmental skills training specialist for the Center for Basic Skills, presented a poster/exhibition for the 24th annual conference on the First Year Experience. Sponsored by the University of South Carolina's National Resource Center for the First Year Experience & Students in Transition, the conference was held in Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. 4-8. The topic of Stalls' work was "Students Learn About the Campus and Each Other -- Selected Assignments from UNIV-101 -- The New Student." The exhibit included several student visual displays, student photojournalistic diaries, statistical program success data, a descriptive article handout and various institutional promotional materials. Contributing to this effort were other personnel from Center for Basic Skills – developmental skills training specialists Jeannie Killian and David M. Neis, and research assistant Maria Inosencia Amarante.