September 8, 2005

     

    BYU-Idaho faculty members
    awarded for services
     

    REXBURG, Idaho-
    Writer: Daniel Mower
     

    Five BYU–Idaho faculty members were presented with the Distinguished Faculty Award for 2005: Kathleen Barnhill, Greg Blaser, Kendall Grant, Ann Marie Harris and Bruce Satterfield.

    The Distinguished Faculty Award is a tradition with roots extending back to 1967. Initially titled the “Distinguished Teaching Award,” the name was changed to emphasize a broader area of consideration than teaching.

    Recipients are faculty members at BYU–Idaho who “evidence the highest ideals of character, service and teaching,” said Phil Packer of Academic Administration. The award recognizes “exemplary professionalism, loyalty and teaching as a member of the Brigham Young Unviersity-Idaho faculty.”
    Nominations come from fellow faculty members, an administrator, and students.

    Kathleen Barnhill has taught 15 years at Ricks/BYU–Idaho as a faculty member in the Department of Nursing. She and her husband David are the parents of 11 children and two grandchildren.

    “I have always thought class should be fun as well as informative,” she said. “My favorite thing about BYU–Idaho is working with the students.”

    Greg Blaser and his wife Kira are the parents of three children and have six grandchildren. Blaser serves on the Agronomy and Agriculture Business faculty.

    “It is an honor to be considered for the award. The time spent here . . . has been a blessing for me individually and for my family. I have tried to learn from each [student] and I believe my greatest satisfaction is to be able to help them set goals and then accomplish those goals,” he said.

    Kendall Grant, an English Department faculty member, has taught 14 years at Ricks/BYU–Idaho. “Out of my 42 years, 32 of them have been on this campus either with my father as a coach, my mother as a teacher, or with me as a student or teacher,” said Grant. “. . . I have never been more excited about the possibilities of this institution. I look forward to serving with old and new under President Clark as we seek to do God’s work in better ways.”

    Grant and his wife Susan have four children with one on the way.

    Ann Marie Harris has three children and one grandchild, and has served in the Department of Mathematics for six years. “I love to teach, period,” she said. “I love the interactions with the students on a day to day basis. I love that ‘light just went on’ look when understanding takes place. I love to open each class with prayer. I count my opportunity to work here as one of the greatest blessings of my life.”

    A Religious Education Department member, Bruce Satterfield has taught at Ricks/BYU–Idaho for 13 years. He and his wife, Carol, are the parents of five children and one grandchild. “We learn from the revelation . . . that learning takes place through ‘study and by faith.’ I love teaching at a University where this approach to learning is fostered. I have personally observed this in the lives of these young people,” Satterfield said.

     

    Style guide note: When reporting about Brigham Young University-Idaho, please use the complete name of the university in the first reference.

    Brigham Young University-Idaho, formerly Ricks College, is a four-year private university located in Rexburg, Idaho. The university, which is affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offers both baccalaureate and associate degrees; integrated degrees and internships that are tailored to fit students' interests; a year-round track system allowing more students to attend; and an extensive activities program that provides leadership and growth experiences. It is the largest private university in Idaho, with over 11,000 students enrolled for winter 2005.


     

    Media Relations
    Bryce J Rydalch
    Kimball 226, Rexburg, ID 83460
    (208) 496-2108 rydalchb@byui.edu