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OSPR Honors Faculty Research

	Dr. Raymond Lorion and Million Dollar Club awardee Dr. Debi Gartland pose with College of Graduate Studies and Research staff following the award ceremony.

Towson, MD (February 16, 2011): The Office of Sponsored Programs & Research (OSPR) held its annual dinner and reception for faculty active in research or scholarly activity on February 8, 2011. Faculty were welcomed by Mary Louise Healy, Director of the OSPR, and Towson University Provost Marcia Welsh, who stressed the pride Towson takes in fulfilling its sponsored funding goals. Funding for sponsored projects reached approximately $30 million in Fiscal Year 2010.

This year’s reception heralded the return of the Million Dollar Club, created to particularly honor highly successful faculty who have received a million dollars in cumulative sponsored funding over their careers at Towson. Dr. Welsh and Ms. Healy welcomed the following new members to the club:

• Dr. Debi Gartland, Department of Special Education, for funded activities including improvements to Towson’s Special Education department, and development of the Special Education and Elementary Education combined major, and the Special Education Mentoring Institute (SEMI).
• Dr. David Schaefer, Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences, was inducted with a research portfolio including Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) sites,  nanotechnology studies, and programs to support economically disadvantaged undergraduates in physics.

In addition, the reception introduced the creation of a Five Million Dollar Club, to honor the cumulative success of Centers of learning and outreach. The following centers form the inaugural members honored this year:

• The Center for GIS uses Geographic Information Systems to increase analyze data and identify patterns and trends for airport engineering, landscape characterization of the Chesapeake Bay, emergency management, and a variety of other applications.
• The Center for Science and Mathematics Education focuses on enhancing the teaching and learning of science and mathematics through research, curriculum development, teacher education, and pedagogical reform. Their efforts have been funded by the Maryland State Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, and the University System of Maryland, among others.
• Extended Education and Online Learning develops training programs, events, workshops, and establishes relationships among diverse workforces to connect and enhance Towson’s community outreach activities.
• Information Systems Solutions dedicates itself to combining learning and technology, and has received funding from the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Advantech, among others.
• RESI, or the Regional Economic Studies Institute, has worked with various state agencies, non-profit organizations and private-sector firms on projects relating to economic analysis, forecasts, impact studies, and statistical analysis.

The Office of Sponsored Programs & Research is proud to honor these centers and individuals for their outstanding work, as well as the work of all faculty active in scholarly pursuits and research.

Office of Sponsored Programs & Research
Enrollment Services Center, Suite 208

Phone: 410-704-2236
Fax: 410-704-4494
E-mail: ospr@towson.edu