Environmental Awards for 2007

Norman N. Durham Lecture Series

Dr. Jim MacMahon is Trustee Professor of Biology, and Director of the Ecology Center, at Utah State University in Logan.  He  previously served as head of the Biology Department, Dean of Science, and Vice President for University Advancement.  He has a B.S. in Zoology from Michigan State University and a Ph.D. in Biology from Notre Dame.

Dr. MacMahon is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Past President of the Ecological Society of America, member of the National Research Council's Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology where he has chaired various committees, and member of the editorial advisory board of Restoration Ecology.  He has received the Governor’s Medal for Excellence in Science and Technology and the D. Wynne Thorne Research Award.  He was one of the authors that proposed the development of the National Ecological Observatory Network.  He is serving as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of NEON, Inc. – an ambitious attempt to monitor the state of the nation’s ecosystems.

Dr. MacMahon’s research involves the organization of natural communities, with a current focus on the potential use of ecological theory as a basis for management of disturbed areas.  He has published more than 150 scholarly articles and two books.  He teaches graduate courses in Ecology, Biogeography and Mammalogy.

Sterling L. (Bud) Burks Award for Outstanding Staff Environmental Research

Charles I. Abramson

Dr. Charles I. Abramson is Professor of Psychology at OSU.  He attended Boston University and earned a B.A. in Psychology, M.A. in Experimental Psychology, and Ph.D. in Physiological Psychology.  Dr. Abramson also serves as Adjunct Professor of Zoology and Entomology, a Professor of Forensic Sciences and International Studies, Director of the Pet Food Testing Center at OSU, and Director of the Psychology department’s museum.

Dr. Abramson’s research investigates the effects of pesticides on the behavior of insects – particularly bees.  He is also exploring the use of essential oils as alternatives for pesticides in the control of aphids.  He has worked with the School of International Studies in Brazil and conducts research in conjunction with scientists from Venezuela, Russia, and Slovenia, just to name a few.  He has published 140 journal articles, book chapters, encyclopedia articles, and books and serves as consulting editor to several journals.  Dr. Abramson mentors graduate students from three continents and is proud of their accomplishments.

 Ted Mills Award for Outstanding Faculty Environmental Teaching

Mahesh Rao

Dr. Mahesh Rao is Associate Professor of Geography and Director of the Center for Applications of Remote Sensing at OSU.  Dr. Rao earned a B.S. degree in Agriculture and a M.S. degree in Horticulture in India.  He then earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Science at OSU in 1996.  Mahesh has submitted more than 20 articles and reviews for publication and has delivered professional presentations at several national and international conferences.  His research interests include using remote sensing and GIS for natural resources conservation and management.

Dr. Rao teaches GIS natural resource applications, advanced GIS, and remote sensing courses.  His courses form an important component of students’ plans of study pursuing degrees in several departments and programs at OSU.  Currently, he advises 12 students who are using GIS and remote sensing in their environmental research.

Award for Outstanding Student Environmental Research 

Anna Parviainen-Childers

Anna Parviainen-Childers received an MS in Environmental and Resources Economics here at OSU and is currently enrolled as a doctoral student in the Environmental Science Graduate Program.  Anna has been a board member of the Air and Waste Management Association, southwest section in Tulsa, since 2002 and now serves as the board chair.

Anna won this award for her presentation at this year’s OSU Research Symposium entitled, “Decision Support System – A Rural Water System Planning Model to Optimally Meet Future Drinking Water Demands in Northeastern Oklahoma.”

 Alumni Award for Outstanding Environmental Accomplishment

Shirley Morrow

Shirley Morrow received two degrees from OSU in 1995 – a Bachelors of Landscape Architecture and a M.S. in Environmental Science.  Shirley has worked in erosion and sediment control for more than 14 years and has been involved in the turf and landscape industry for over 20 years.  She has prepared over 100 Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans for construction activities in 30 states.

In 2004, Shirley was recruited by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. in Bentonville, AR to be the Director of Storm Water Compliance.  Her expertise was key to Wal-Mart’s compliance with a $600 million consent decree.  In this capacity, she oversaw the training and day-to-day stormwater implementation activities of general contractors more than 1000 new store construction sites.

Shirley has been an active member of the International Erosion Control Association since 1992, serving on the organization’s Board of Directors and teaching workshops throughout the United States.  She is also a member of the Great Rivers Chapter of IECA, serving as its Vice President and President.

Shirley assisted the American Public Works Association in its preparation of an Erosion and Sediment Control Standards Manual based on construction standards and related ordinances from more than 50 cities, counties, and state agencies.  The final product can be incorporated directly into the APWA Standard Specifications and Design Criteria publication.

Ms. Morrow has also designed visually and environmentally friendly landscaping for a variety of businesses including the Kansas City International Airport.

 Staff Environmental Award Winner

Outdoor Adventure

Staff at Outdoor Adventure.  They provide outdoor programming – not only for OSU students, but also for the surrounding community.  Working with the Wilderness Education Association and the Leave No Trace organization, Outdoor Adventure works to increase environmental awareness through education and hands-on experience.

Outdoor Adventure works to elevate wilderness education and preservation, develop a land ethic consistent the ideals of the Wilderness Act, and establish wilderness education and outdoor leadership as a legitimate academic and professional field of study.

It has been an affiliate of the Wilderness Education Association for more than 15 years.  Currently, it has six employees qualified as Leave No Trace trainers and two employees who are certified as Master Educators.

 Green Awards for Sustainability

Energy Advocates

Energy Advocates has made educating America about the energy industry and energy policy their primary mission for the past 30 years.  They advocate a balanced energy use portfolio that includes oil, wind, natural gas, solar, and nuclear energy sources.  Energy Advocates sponsors international conferences at which distinguished speakers discuss energy sustainability, publishes unbiased information about energy sustainability in print and radio broadcast, and awards scholarships to students pursuing degrees in energy/environmental fields.

Energy Advocates envisions educating Americans in support a clear and balanced energy policy through grassroots initiatives.

Sustainable Solutions, Inc.

Sustainable Solutions, Inc.  Headquartered in Wagoner, Oklahoma, SSI also has offices in Detroit, Miami, and Shenzhen, China.  SSI patents regenerating processes that enable companies to turn their waste streams into Smart Streams™.  Examples of “green” products re-engineered from industrial waste include:

· boxes and packaging materials regenerated from denim jeans that are lighter and stronger than cardboard boxes;

· hydrographically decorated wood products derived from broken pallets, which eliminates the need to use wood from endangered tree species;

· leather products used in office supply, furniture, and automotive industries made from leather scraps;

· fabric made from cotton T-shirt waste;

· thermal-moldable stabilizer board made from waste flooring, which is used in appliances and automobile headliners;

· and auto interiors made from Nike athletic shoe waste.

SSI is a leader in promoting sustainability in the most genuine sense – simultaneously helping the planet, people, and profits.