Recent achievements for the campus community were earned by Mark Clinton, Caro Córdova, Beth Dotan, John Erixson, Michael James, Danielle Jefferis, Mary Ann Johnson, William G. Thomas and Wenjie Wang.

Honors

• Mark Clinton, Glenn Korff School of Music Professor of Piano, will be inducted into the Steinway and Sons Teacher Hall of Fame at the historic Steinway factory in New York in October. The Steinway and Sons Teacher Hall of Fame is a designation recognizing the work of North America’s most committed and passionate piano educators. The Hall of Fame recognizes the talented educators who foster passion, creativity and discipline in the next generation of piano artists. Clinton has taught in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Glenn Korff School of Music since 1995. Learn more about Clinton here.

• Caro Córdova, assistant professor in agronomy and horticulture and statewide soil health specialist, received the 2023 Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Early Career Award July 17. The LTAR Early Career Scientist Award recognizes network-level research accomplishments. The USDA Long-Term Agroecosystem Research network is a growing research network comprising 18 established, long-term research sites focused on developing national strategies for more efficient agricultural production while improving the quality of the environment and the well-being of America’s farming communities. Córdova has been an active member of LTAR since 2019. Since 2020, she has been an active member of the Soil Working Group leading the elaboration of the first LTAR soil organic carbon stocks and change protocol.

• Beth Dotan, research assistant professor in the Harris Center for Judaic Studies, was selected by Humanities Nebraska to receive the 2023 Sower Award in the Humanities in recognition of her efforts to increase understanding of the Holocaust. In the Harris Center for Judaic Studies, Dotan created Nebraska Stories of Humanity as part of her doctoral work. This digital web portal highlights stories of Holocaust survivors and servicemen who liberated Nazi camps and settled in Nebraska after World War II. Read more here.

• John Erixson, director of the Nebraska Forest Service and state forester for University of Nebraska–Lincoln, was selected as the 2023 National Educational Administrator of the Year by the National Association of Educational Office Professionals. In the recommendation letters it was noted that Erixson “is a situational leader, conscious of ethical issues, values and strategic implications of decisions.”

• Danielle Jefferis, assistant professor in the College of Law, has received a grant from the Office of Research and Economic Development Layman Seed Program for her project, “The worst of the worst: civil rights cases and the effect of supermax rhetoric on judicial decision-making.” The program funds new projects by early-career faculty who are nontenured at the time of submission. Within the project, Jefferis plans to analyze how certain language impacts litigation and judges’ decision making in prisoners’ civil rights cases. Read more here.

• Mary Ann Johnson, J.S. Tinstman Professor and chair of the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, was one of 16 individuals inducted into the American Society for Nutrition’s Class of 2023 Fellows. It is the highest honor bestowed by ASN, recognizing individuals for significant discoveries and distinguished careers in the field of nutrition. Additionally, Johnson began a two-year term as a member of the ASN Foundation Board of Trustees in 2023. Now entering her sixth year at Nebraska, Johnson mentors faculty and staff at all career stages to reach their goals in research, teaching, Extension and outreach.

Appointments

• William G. Thomas III was elected vice president of the Research Division of the American Historical Association. Learn more here.

• Wenjie Wang was appointed as geospatial data and programs librarian in the University Libraries’ Research Partnerships department. Wang has a doctorate degree in geography from the University of Connecticut, a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Duke University, and a bachelor of science degree in remote sensing and information engineering from Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. Wang can connect Nebraska researchers with geospatial resources, including the data that is stored on campus and the data resources that are available online. Wang will also serve as the Libraries liaison to the Big Ten Academic Alliance Geoportal project. This geoportal offers web services, GIS datasets, and digitized historical maps, including Nebraska’s geospatial data and library-owned scanned maps.

Publications

• Pine Eden Press published the memoir, “Dear Judy: A Love Story Rewritten by Alzheimer’s,” by Michael James, emeritus professor in textiles, merchandising and fashion design. Also a textile artist, Judith was serving as a visiting lecturer in the department when she first became symptomatic. She was diagnosed with younger onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2009. James will do a book launch event at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at Francie and Finch, 130 S. 13th St. More information on the book and the event can be found here.