Faculty Senate Presents Distinguished Service Recognition Award To Anne Gordon

Throughout her 17 years at Bowling Green State University, Dr. Anne Gordon, an associate professor of psychology, has made a series of quality contributions to the University in three key areas: serving undergraduate students through advising, working to recruit high-quality students and serving on committees related to curriculum, governance, faculty evaluation and graduate student performance.

In recognition of this dedication, Gordon was presented with the Faculty Senate Distinguished Service Recognition Award at the annual Faculty Excellence Awards held April 9. The award is given in recognition of outstanding, continuous service and to highlight the importance of dedicated faculty to the development and enhancement of the University. Gordon received a $1,000 cash prize and a reserved parking spot for a year.

In his nomination, Dr. Michael Zickar, professor and psychology department chair, wrote, “Throughout her time at BGSU, Dr. Gordon has always stepped up to fulfill service roles, large and small, and she does so because she believes that service is an important function that helps make the Department of Psychology, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the University better.”

As an undergraduate adviser, she took the lead in creating the psychology department’s Minor’s Guide to help students become aware of their options and to help them make the most of their undergraduate experience.

“Almost all of her advising appointments end with the students thanking her for making their scheduling of classes easier, their understanding of how to apply to graduate school more clear, and their worries or confusion lessened. These efforts are important for student success and student retention,” Zickar wrote.

She has served as a moderator and judge of undergraduate research sessions during the Undergraduate Research Symposium, and is often involved with service activities that center around attracting students to BGSU.

“Collectively, these efforts demonstrate her commitment to the recruitment and retention of our undergraduate students,” Zickar wrote.

Gordon has served on the Undergraduate Council for six years and the Social Science Curriculum Committee for nine years, to name a few. At the graduate level, she has served on the Distinguished Thesis Award Committee, the Distinguished Dissertation Committee and the Freeburne Award Committee. In addition, she has been elected by her departmental colleagues to serve on the Salary, Promotion and Tenure committee four times.

“Her continual election by her peers, and her appointment to the role of chair during times of major change in the department’s policies, signals that her colleagues trust her judgment, and that she has handled the responsibilities capably,” Zickar wrote. “When Dr. Gordon is a member of a committee, whether it is Undergraduate Council, the Social Science Curriculum Committee, Faculty Senate or any other committee of service involvement, she is an active, enthusiastic, attentive and contributing member. She realizes that these service opportunities are important to the functioning of the University and provide opportunities to make a difference.”