College of Sciences Newsletter

Edition 10

February 15, 2002

 

SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award Nominee

The university’s Outstanding Faculty Awards Committee and Acting Provost David Hager have forwarded the names of eight faculty for consideration in the State Council of Higher Education’s Outstanding Faculty Awards Program. Eleven faculty from Virginia will be selected for the honor, which includes an award of $5,000. Nominees are chosen for outstanding contributions in teaching as well as research and public service. Old Dominion honored its nominees at a luncheon and establish an account of $500 for each to pursue his/her scholarship regardless of the outcome of SCHEV.

Richard Whittecar, associate professor of ocean, earth & atmospheric sciences, was one of the nominees chosen by the Old Dominion committee. Whittecar describes himself as a “passionate Mudder” – an environmental geologists driven to use the most effective teaching methods available and to instill in his students a sense of stewardship of the Earth. Students say he makes the Earth come “alive.” He uses Lava lamps, sandboxes, skateboards, shaving cream, skits, songs, videotapes, slide shows, and interactive Web sites to grab and keep the attention of his audiences. He firmly believes in “discovery-based” learning and incorporates lab and field experiences into his curriculum whenever possible.

His innovations and successes in the classroom brought him recognition as one of the first University Professors at Old Dominion. He was also selected as TELETECHNET Teacher of the Year in 1998. He was appointed as associate editor of the Journal of Geoscience Education.

His research expertise in near-surface sediment, water and geological hazards along with his experiences working with government agencies and consulting groups across Virginia make him one of the state’s experts on groundwater, shallow aquifers and wetlands. He has brought nearly $3.4 million in funding to the University and has 80 publications and 70 scientific presentations to his credit. His major goal is to improve the design and construction of created wetlands; particularly those needed to restore ecological functions of wetlands destroyed by road construction in Virginia. Whittecar involves a large number of students in his research efforts.