Savannah State University News January 2012 SSU professor Mulatu Lemma to receive USG Teaching Excellence Award Savannah State University mathematics professor Mulatu Lemma, Ph.D., is the recipient of the 2012 University System of Georgia Board of Regents' Teaching Excellence Award for faculty in regional and state universities. Lemma will be officially recognized in March at the annual USG Gala. Lemma was a unanimous selection for the award, which honors exemplary teaching that significantly improves student success and recognizes research demonstrating innovative teaching techniques that enhance student learning. Winners are chosen from nominations submitted annually by the presidents of USG institutions and receive $5,000 and a certificate of achievement. In a letter congratulating Lemma on his selection, USG Interim Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer David Morgan noted Lemma's "early warning system" for his classes and willingness to spend weekends offering students extra help as factors that set his portfolio apart. Lemma is also a referee for two professional journals, a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant reviewer and the 2009 recipient of a $1.5 million NSF grant who extensively involves students in his research. He has been teaching at SSU since 1994. "The committee was very impressed by how much you value your students," Morgan wrote. "Everyone was touched by the compelling story of the graduate student who dedicated her master's thesis to you and then went on to complete a doctoral program. You are clearly making a difference in the lives of your students at Savannah State University." Established in 1890, Savannah State University is the oldest public historically black college or university in Georgia and the oldest institution of higher learning in the city of Savannah. The university's 4,500 students select majors from 25 undergraduate and five graduate programs in the School of Teacher Education and three colleges: Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Business Administration and Sciences and Technology. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org www.hbculibraries.org 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2012meeting-form.html for the October 21-23, 2012 HBCU Library Alliance 5th Membership Meeting and the Photographic Preservation Pre-Conference in New Orleans, LA. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.