University of Iowa News Release

Sept. 25, 2003

Photo (l-r): Gail Bishop, professor of microbiology and immunology; Florence Saunders Boos, professor of English; Madeline Shea, professor of biochemistry; Shelton Stromquist, professor of history

UI Graduate College Recognizes Faculty Mentors

The University of Iowa Graduate College will present Outstanding Mentor Awards to Gail Bishop, professor of microbiology and immunology, and Florence Saunders Boos, professor of English, at a ceremony Thursday, Sept. 25. This prestigious award recognizes exemplary mentoring efforts in graduate education.

Outstanding mentors encourage and assist students in areas such as professional networking and research practices. Bishop and Boos were selected from a pool of 23 graduate faculty mentors who were nominated for the award by graduate students and other faculty members.

The nominations cite many examples of outstanding mentoring, including an ability to both motivate and empathize, a talent for careful listening, the willingness to advocate for students, an ability to build a professional community that includes students, and respect for each student's independent thought.

"The art of mentoring is a crucial ingredient of education," said John Keller, dean of the Graduate Collage. "The Outstanding Mentor Award celebrates Gail's and Florence's demonstrated commitment to helping students succeed both at the university and in their future careers. They stood out in an exceptionally strong group of nominees, which is a testament to the widespread teaching excellence at the University of Iowa."

Two other nominated faculty -- Madeline Shea, professor of biochemistry and Shelton Stromquist, professor of history -- received Awards of Special Recognition for Mentoring, an occasional award given by the college to honor faculty mentors.

More information is available on the Graduate College website: http://www.grad.uiowa.edu/FacultyStaff/Faculty/MentorAwardWinners.htm

STORY SOURCE: University of Iowa News Services, 300 Plaza Centre One, Suite 371, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-2500.

CONTACTS: Media: Mary Geraghty Kenyon, 319-384-0011, mary-kenyon@uiowa.edu. Program: Jennifer Masada 319-335-2815, jennifer-masada@uiowa.edu