Meredith to receive Presidential Award for Outstanding Department Head
Friday, April 17th, 2009
Bill Meredith, director of the School of Family Studies and Human Services, has been tapped for the prestigious Presidential Award for Outstanding Department Head.
He is one of six university faculty members receiving a 2009 Presidential Award for their compassion, dedication and creativity as teachers, advisers or administrators.
Meredith has served as director of the School of Family Studies and Human Services since 1999. Under his leadership, the school has experienced substantial growth. Its graduate student enrollment has more than doubled, a conflict resolution program and doctorate in personal finance have been added and two buildings have been constructed.
$17.8 million makes grant history
The school’s research funding is at an all time high. In fiscal year 2008 alone, the school brought in $17.8 million in grants, the largest amount by any department in the history of K-State.The school also started a branch program at K-State at Salina.
“An effective leader builds a positive atmosphere and an environment in which success can occur,” Meredith said.
At the end of this academic year, Meredith will enter phased retirement and will work on K-State’s initiatives in China, provide leadership for the university’s faculty mentoring program and teach. Meredith has a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in marriage and family counseling, both from K-State. In addition, he has a master’s in social work and a Ph.D. in community and human resources, both from the University of Nebraska.
Other honorees
Receiving the Presidential Awards for Undergraduate Teaching Excellence are:
- Joseph Arata, assistant professor of agricultural economics
- Leslie Hannah, assistant professor of English at K-State at Salina
- Hyun Seung Jin, associate professor of journalism and mass communications
- Timothy Rarick, a graduate teaching assistant in family studies and human services
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising is going to Charles Martin, associate professor of geography.
This entry was posted on Friday, April 17th, 2009 and is filed under Congratulations, FSHS.