Club honors helpful faculty

ABLERS Club gives Golden Apple Awards to faculty who "go the extra mile" to help disabled students

April 25, 2005 —

On Thursday April 21 at 7:30 pm, five faculty members were presented with the Golden Apple Award, signifying their willingness to go the extra mile to help students with disabilities. The event was an end of the year party hosted by Disability Services and ABLERS Club and featured food, awards and academic honors for students in ABLERS Club. The five professors who were nominated were Jim Geistman, Bob Lane, Albert Plaush, Laurie Reed, and Andrew Swihart.

The student who nominated Geistman said that he was one of the most helpful professors he has ever had. Geistman would e-mail assignments on time, was willing to help him out after class and, in some instances, even offered him a ride home when STARS didn't come to pick the student up. He was always willing to help get the student someplace after class was over if he wasn't sure of how to get there.

In Lane's case, the student had taken his class more than once. She believes that Lane was born to teach and has great passion in his teaching. She felt that he made her want to do better, and as she was able to improve, and then she felt better about herself. She feels that she now has a friend that can be cherished forever.

Plaush has experience with several presentations and publications in Chemistry. This was helpful in accommodating the student who nominated him. The student who picked him believed that he was doing work that was extraordinary and that he cared about her.

Reed's nomination came from interest in students with disabilities to help them improve, according to the student who nominated her. She attended the faculty meeting put on by ABLERS Club earlier in the semester. At that time, she said she would do whatever she could to help not only students, but other faculty members as well to understand where students with disabilities are coming from.

The student who nominated Swihart felt that he has been instrumental in her learning success this past year. His encouragement helped her several times when she wanted to just give up. He sat with the student and helped her figure out different ways in which she could get the most out of the learning experience in the classroom. She also feels that willingness to help extends to all of his students, which makes her feel more equal with the rest of them.

"I've never been prouder of any organization in my life," said Club President Chuck Moser referring to the club. "I'm happy and lucky to have been a part of that this year."