The University of Missouri-Rolla hopes to raise awareness of the accomplishments and research achievements of its women faculty, as well of those of its women students and alumnae, during Women Advancing Excellence, a day-long celebration to be held April 18 on the UMR campus.
The day’s events will include poster sessions, seminars and panel discussions presented by UMR’s women faculty to highlight their contributions in research, teaching and service.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. in the Miner Lounge of UMR’s Havener Center. All sessions, with the exception of the Woman of the Year luncheon, are free and open to the public.
At 9 a.m., UMR Provost Warren K. Wray will give opening remarks, then Dr. Monica Moore, professor of psychology at Webster University and a 1976 UMR psychology graduate, will present an opening address.
At 10 a.m., UMR’s women faculty authors will sign copies of their books in an informal session. Coffee and scones will be served.
A panel of successful UMR alumnae will present “Journey to a Successful Career” at 11 a.m. in St. Pat’s Ballroom A of the Havener Center. Participants include Dr. Paula M. Lutz, dean of UMR’s College of Arts and Sciences and a 1976 UMR life sciences graduate; Natalie Drew, chief archivist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a 1989 UMR history graduate; Cecilia Elmore, director of the UMR Women’s Leadership Institute and a 1986 UMR engineering management graduate; and Dr. Karlynn Sievers, family practice physician at St. John’s Clinic in Rolla and a 1996 English and life sciences graduate.
The UMR Woman of the Year Banquet will be held at noon. The Woman of the Year Award is presented annually by the chancellor’s office to recognize an outstanding female faculty member who has helped improve the campus climate for women and has served as a role model for other faculty and students through her research, scholarship and service. 2007 is the 11th year for the award, which is funded by UMR graduate Cynthia Tang, the founder of Insight Industries Inc. of Platteville, Wis., and a past president of the UMR Board of Trustees.
From 1:30-2:20 a group of 15 women faculty will discuss their current research projects. Subjects range from history and psychology to geology and electrical engineering.
At 2:20, Dr. Susan Murray, associate professor of engineering management and systems engineering, will moderate a panel discussion titled “Balancing a Family with a Successful Career.” The panel consists of UMR women with experience in balancing roles.
The celebration will conclude with an awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m. New awards for Alumna of the Year and Woman Student of the Year will recognize the accomplishments of UMR’s women graduates and students.
UMR Women Advancing Excellence activities are coordinated by the UMR women faculty. The group is led by Dr. Dee Haemmerlie-Montgomery, Curators’ Teaching Professor of psychology at UMR.
Click here for a complete listing of researchers participating in Women Advancing Excellence, as well as a listing of award finalists.