Susie P. Gonzalez

210-999-8406

susie.gonzalez@trinity.edu

Trinity Professors Honored for Outstanding Service, Scholarship

May 14, 2003 – Five outstanding members of the Trinity University faculty have been honored for distinction in service, teaching, advising, or research. The awards were announced this month by Trinity president John Brazil and the University’s Office of Academic Affairs. Scott Chapman, professor of mathematics and director of Trinity’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program in mathematics, was recognized for outstanding research. Richard M. Burr, professor and chair of Trinity’s department of business administration who also serves on several San Antonio boards and committees, received an award for distinguished University and community service. In addition, Angela Breidenstein, associate professor of education, was lauded for her commitment and dedication to student advising. Two junior faculty members – assistant professors Carolyn Becker and Ana Forcinito in the departments of psychology and modern languages and literatures, respectfully, were cited for distinguished teaching and research. In the category of Distinguished Scholarship, Research, or Creative Work, Professor Chapman earned honors for his research in factorization theory and integer-valued polynomials, which has brought him, the math department, and the University national and international acclaim. He has received prestigious grants to support his research, has presented his research at the invitation of numerous scientific groups, and has published his findings and that of his students in more than 50 professional journals. In addition, his dedication to the REU program has attracted high-caliber students from across the country to Trinity for summer studies.  Since he came to Trinity in 1972, Professor Burr has served as chair of the department of business administration three different times and as dean of the faculty of Business and Administrative Studies while serving on virtually every University committee to examine policies and planning. Outside the University, he has been a visiting scholar at the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan and a faculty fellow, in cooperation with a program sponsored by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and the Sears-Roebuck Foundation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Washington, D.C. He also has studied Spanish, international relations, and international trade in Argentina, Chile, Antigua, Guatemala, Mexico, and at Stanford University. He has also served for a number of years on the board of the Baptist Memorial Hospital System and System Foundation and recently on a review committee at the request of a San Antonio city councilman. In the area of advising, Professor Breidenstein is described by her colleagues as having an “unwavering commitment” to students. Advisees have credited her with always finding time to help them, whether the task is to register online, accompany them to the financial aid office, prepare resumes and employment portfolios, or attend their musical performances or athletic events. Alumni regularly contact Professor Breidenstein for personal, professional, and academic advice. In the words of some of her students, “She has remained a constant support and mentor throughout my academic career . . . she listens to my concerns patiently and gives me practical advice . . .she goes above and beyond the requirements for advising and mentoring students.” Each recipient of the junior faculty award for distinguished teaching and research has only been at Trinity for four years.  Professor Becker has amassed an impressive record of teaching and scholarship, and her core strength as a psychology teacher is her ability to demand much of students while encouraging and reinforcing them. Her research on post-traumatic stress disorder has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications and an invitation to co-author a book.  A second approach to her clinical research involves the development of a campus-based research program targeting media contributions to disturbed body image in women and the prevention of eating disorders.  This line of research enables her to combine teaching, scholarship, and service to the University community in an especially innovative way.  Professor Forcinito views teaching, research, and writing as interconnected practices that can help generate a more democratic sense of culture.  Her research and teaching are focused on the exploration of marginality in terms of gender, class, ethnicity, race, geopolitics, and sexuality.  In her language classes she uses cultural components about Latin American art, film, literature, and social movements to introduce students to the complexity, conflicts, and richness of cultures.  Her research has resulted in numerous articles in refereed journals and a book submitted for publication. Her students applaud her passion and the interdisciplinary approach she applies to her courses.  Each professor received a medal and $2,000 at a ceremony held during a faculty assembly meeting in May. Trinity University is a nationally recognized liberal arts and sciences institution noted for its exceptional faculty and commitment to the comprehensive preparation of its talented student body. It is a learning community that has charted its course with a steadfast commitment to excellence since it was founded in 1869.

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Last updated on May 15, 2003 by the Office of Public Relations