2006 Outstanding Faculty Award winners, L-R: Becky Brannock, Julie Allison and Russ Rosmait.

Students single out three for special honor

When surveyed, students have high praise for Pittsburg State University’s caring faculty. That fact makes being chosen by students as one of the year’s Outstanding Faculty especially gratifying, say the three who were so honored for 2006.

Julie Allison, a professor in the Department of Psychology and Counseling; Becky Brannock, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology and Counseling and director of the Honors College and Special Academic Programs; and Russ Rosmait, a professor in the Department of Engineering Technology; received the 2006 Outstanding Faculty Award during the annual Apple Day celebration in March. All three said the award had special meaning for them because it came from students.

“For me, it is so incredible that the award is by student nomination and student vote,” Brannock said.

“I think it is evidence that students realize you care about them,” Rosmait said.

Allison said receiving the Outstanding Faculty Award is “quite humbling, because there are so many great faculty around this campus.”

All agreed with Rosmait that the hard work professors put into teaching pays off.

“You realize all the work you put in is recognized as something good,” Rosmait said.

Allison earned a bachelor of arts degree, a master of arts degree and Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. She teaches courses in general psychology, applied psychology, psychology of adjustment, cognitive processes, and social psychology. She also advises psychology majors. Her current research interests include psychology and law, interpersonal violence and death and dying.

Brannock received a bachelor of science in education degree and a master of science degree from Southwest Missouri State University. She received an Ed. S. from PSU and a Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas. She teaches courses in freshmen experience, introduction to counseling, program planning and management of school counseling programs, school counseling practicum, and school counseling internship. Her current research interests include school counseling, educational psychology, school guidance programs and counseling in athletics.

Rosmait received a bachelor of science degree and a master of science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University. Rosmait teaches classes in metallurgy, metal casting, materials in industry, fabrication processes and manufacturing production control and management. He has received five faculty fellowships to the NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. Rosmait is also the adviser to the American Foundrymen's Society (AFS) Student Chapter at PSU and the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

---Pitt State--