Woodburn Professors honored in History, Chemistry and Psychology

Morgantown, WV, July 28, 2006:  The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University has honored George A. O’Doherty in the C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, Dr. Julie Hicks Patrick in the Department of Psychology and Dr. Katherine B. Aaslestad in the Department of History with the Woodburn Professor Award.

The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Woodburn Professor Award recognizes associate professors in mid-career who demonstrate outstanding achievement in research, teaching and service.

Dr. O’Doherty earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Ohio State University, joined the WVU faculty in 2002 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2005. He has had the largest research group in the Department of Chemistry with eight graduate students and four postdoctoral associates. Additionally, he has received two major grants from the National Institute of Health and the National Science Foundation for his research.

“In my evaluation last year, I noted that George’s research had taken off like a rocket at WVU,” wrote Harry O. Finklea, Chair of the Department of Chemistry, in the nomination letter. “After completion of my evaluation of George’s research productivity in 2005, I can state that the rocket has continued to accelerate.” In 2005 alone, ten of Dr. O’Doherty’s research papers appeared in print. He was also invited to give five seminars at North American universities and four seminars in the People’s Republic of China.

Dr. Patrick earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Akron in 1995, joined the faculty at WVU in 1998 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2004. She is Psychology’s Director of Undergraduate Training, core member of the Life-Span Developmental Training Committee and faculty advisor to the Psychology Club. She received grants from the National Institute on Aging and the National Cancer Institute for her research. She has been published in two books, four book chapters and 26 articles in peer reviewed journals.

“Dr. Patrick is an energetic and productive researcher, a committed and rigorous teacher in and out of the classroom, an integral part of the doctoral training program in lifespan developmental psychology and an excellent citizen who provides a range of valuable service to WVU and the profession,” wrote Dr. Michael Perone Chair of the Department of Psychology, in the nomination letter.

Dr. Aaslestad earned her Ph.D. in History from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, joined the WVU faculty in 1997 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2004. She is the recipient of the John R. Williams Outstanding Teaching Award from the WVU Honors Program, the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teaching Award and the WVU Foundation Outstanding Teaching Award. She is faculty advisor for the Phi Alpha Theta honorary and the History Club. Dr. Aaslestad specializes in modern German history and was recently appointed nineteenth century session organizer in the German Studies Association. She has published her research in peer review academic journals and book chapters and has five articles forthcoming.

With support from the Woodburn Professor Award, Dr. Aaslestad plans to continue research on her second book, “Lessons on Allegiance: Local and National Histories in German Schools, 1815-1933.” Currently she is investigating a summer study abroad program in Germany for WVU students. She is cooperating with the Departments of International Studies and Foreign Languages to promote either a German Studies Program or Central European Studies Program.

“The recognition offered by the Woodburn Professorship will be very helpful in my professional development as I will continue to apply for research grants and develop relationships with German institutes and universities,” Dr. Aaslestad concluded.

"These three outstanding faculty members are being recognized for their achievements in research and teaching,” remarked Dr. Mary Mazey, Dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. “I am confident that they will each have an individual impact upon our students and bring national and international recognition to WVU and the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences."

For more information, please contact Dr. Julie Hicks Patrick at Julie.Patrick@mail.wvu.edu, Dr. Katherine Aaslestad at Katherine.Aaslestad@mail.wvu.edu or Dr. George O’Doherty at George.O’Doherty@mail.wvu.edu.

W-V-U