College of Sciences Newsletter Edition 15 September 20, 2002 
Faculty Awards, Appointments or Elections
Awards
John R. Holsinger, eminent scholar of biological sciences, received the Karst Waters Institute Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to karst science. Karst is defined as “a region made up of porous limestone containing deep fissures and sinkholes and characterized by underground caves and streams.”
The University of Cambridge is awarding the Department of Physics chair, Colm T. Whelan, a doctorate of science. This type of higher doctorate is given in recognition of a substantial body of published work. Only a small number are awarded in any academic year. This year, Cambridge approved 10 higher doctorates, compared with the nearly 900 traditional Ph.D.s it awarded. Whelan received his Ph.D. from Cambridge in 1985. He joined Old Dominion University and the College of Sciences as chair in 2001.
Appointments/ElectionsDebra A. Major, associate professor of psychology, was appointed to the editorial board of the Journal of Organizational Behavior for a three-year term.
