3 receive Outstanding Faculty Awards

Three Purdue University Calumet professors have received the university’s Outstanding Faculty Awards for the 2007-08 academic year.

The recipients are: Associate Professor of Physics Neeti Parashar of Batavia, Ill. (Outstanding Faculty Scholar); Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering Technology Jose Pena of Schererville (Outstanding Teacher); and Associate Professor of Civil Engineering Roy Evans of Hammond (Outstanding Faculty Service).

The awards were presented at Purdue Calumet’s recent fall semester-opening Faculty-Staff Convocation.

Outstanding Faculty Scholar award recipient Neeti Parashar

During her three years at Purdue Calumet, she has received more than $300,000 in grants and awards for research in high energy physics. Her cutting edge scholarly activity focuses on the study of elementary particles and their interactions, which contributes to increased understanding of the forces that enable nature to operate as it does.

She has been part of an international team conducting research at the U.S. Department of Energy-funded Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Ill. and at the European Center for Nuclear Research in Geneva, Switzerland. She also has been instrumental in establishing membership for Purdue Calumet at both facilities.

She has published more than 200 articles in refereed international journals and delivered nearly 70 invited lectures at conferences, seminars and colloquia. She also has supervised the scholarship of several Ph.D. candidates.

“Our freedom to question, which is what I think research is about, has come with a lot of struggle in the early days, and I strongly believe that it remains our duty to retain what we have gained, for our younger generation of scientists to come,” she said. “My endeavor has been to comprehend the deeper realms of the universe at extremely high energies and progressively small distance scales. This award has provided me with even more momentum to continue to work hard and put Purdue Calumet on the international map of new exciting discoveries that await in the field of high energy physics.”

Parashar holds baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees in physics from the University of Delhi, India.

Outstanding Teacher award recipient Jose Pena

A Purdue Calumet faculty member since 2003, he uses his expertise in materials, metals, corrosion and soils to teach courses in structural applications, strength of materials, and quantity surveying and estimating within the Dept. of Construction Science and Organizational Leadership.

He has been commended for scholarly research opportunities he provides his undergraduate students, applying theory by incorporating real-life experiences in his classes and by increasing students’ expectations of what they can accomplish.

“I often think how blessed we are to come every day to do what we love doing,” Pena said, “and now I am double blessed for being recognized (for this award), so I thank God for that.”

Pena holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Universidad Rafael Urdaneta and the University of South Florida, respectively.

Outstanding Faculty Service Award recipient Roy Evans

During his 17-year career at Purdue Calumet, he has provided community service in numerous ways. Tirelessly, he has shared his expertise in civil engineering; computer aided design; residential, commercial and industrial construction; energy conservation; real estate development; and as a registered architect.

Colleagues and community members laud his ability to convey technical information in understandable terms. He also has demonstrated strong leadership in various organizations and committees related to his scholarly field of expertise. In his nomination, he was cited for being a successful and accomplished teacher, mentor, researcher and leader, who has served students, fellow faculty, local government, not-for-profit organizations and business in an exemplary way.

“Reaching out beyond the boundaries of the University gives me the opportunity to work with policy makers and volunteers who quietly and persistently go about the business of improving the quality of life in northwest Indiana,” he said. “Further, it allows me to discuss the responsibility of citizenship in a more meaningful way with my students.”

Evans holds baccalaureate degrees from Virginia Military Institute and Illinois Institute of Technology, a master’s degree from Roosevelt (Ill.) University and a Ph.D. from Illinois Institute of Technology.

News Release Date: August 29, 2008