Purdue News

April 2, 1999 Science administrators earn 1999 Haas awards WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Martha Chiscon, professor of biological sciences and associate dean of science, is the 1999 Violet Haas Award winner at Purdue University, and Harry Morrison, dean of the School of Science, will receive a special citation for his efforts on behalf of women in hiring, promotion, education and salary. They were chosen by the Purdue Council on the Status of Women, and both will be recognized during a reception at 3 p.m. Monday, April 12, in Room 201 of Wetherill Laboratory of Chemistry. Chiscon has made a positive impact on women at Purdue as a mentor, teacher and administrator. She helped advance programs to improve the classroom environment for women in the Schools of Science and Engineering into a campuswide effort. The program, called Classroom Climate for Women, has led to a series of workshops that demonstrate what teaching methods can hinder learning by women and what procedures improve the environment. Chiscon also created the Women in Science Office, which operates mentoring programs for undergraduate and graduate students, a residential program, and a tutoring program. Morrison has made a commitment to achieving gender equity in science areas where women are underrepresented. In addition to supporting the efforts of the Women in Science Office and the Classroom Climate for Women program, he organized meetings with the women faculty in the School of Science to discuss issues crucial to their retention, integration and promotion. The Violet Haas Award was established nine years ago to honor Haas, a faculty member in the School of Electrical Engineering from 1962 until her death in 1986. She promoted women's issues and provided a positive role model for the university's faculty, staff and students. The council uses the award to recognize an individual, department, or program for demonstrated efforts in promoting the advancement of women in the university. CONTACT: Judy Ware, Council on the Status of Women, (765) 494-3743; jware@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page