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Three Get Rodgers Awards

August 21, 2014

Rebecca Schkade, Dr. Christine Purkiss and Dr. Maurice Fortin have been named the winners of the 2013-14 Gary and Pat Rodgers Distinguished Awards honoring outstanding staff, faculty and administrators at Angelo State University.

(L to R) Gary Rodgers, Rebecca Schkade, Dr. Maurice Fortin, Dr. Christine Purkiss, Dr. Brian May (L to R) Gary Rodgers, Rebecca Schkade, Dr. Maurice Fortin, Dr. Christine Purkiss, Dr. Brian May Schkade, learning technology support specialist for Information Technology, received the Distinguished Staff Award. Purkiss, associate professor of teacher education, received the Distinguished Faculty Award. Fortin, executive director of library services, received the Distinguished Administrator Award. Each received a $2,500 honorarium. 

They, along with 23 other 2013-14 nominees, were honored by ASU President Brian J. May during a ceremony Thursday, Aug. 21. 

Schkade, who holds a Master of Business Administration from Angelo State, has worked for Information Technology since 2011. She is a learning technology support analyst and Blackboard certified trainer. Her nominators praised her “keen interest” in students and dedication to school spirit. One nominator wrote, “With Rebecca, no two days are the same, which makes working with her so interesting. She is such a happy-go-lucky person and it is such a privilege to be a part of her team.” 

Purkiss, who joined the College of Education faculty in 2009, specializes in science education. She organized the popular summer Climate Camp for area schoolchildren and elementary school science teachers, using a grant awarded in 2012 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Purkiss also serves as counselor for the Mu Gamma chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an international society for education, and in July was honored with the 2014 Chapter Counselor Award for the West Region. The Rodgers nomination letter praised Purkiss for consistently demonstrating “an exceptional ability to build relationships with her students.” 

Fortin, who has been at Angelo State since 1996, has guided the Porter Henderson Library and the Dr. Ralph R. Chase West Texas Collection through a number of significant changes, including the addition of a third floor to the library building and the design and launch of the first-floor Learning Commons to enhance the services and environment for students. One nomination letter stated, “His innovative thinking will be of benefit to our campus for years to come.” 

The Gary and Pat Rodgers Distinguished Awards were created by San Angelo native and former Angelo State student Gary Rodgers and his wife, Pat. Because of their association with many ASU employees over the years, the couple recognized the roles that faculty, staff and administrators perform to help ASU fulfill its mission to prepare students to be responsible and productive citizens. Gary and Pat Rodgers established the awards and provide the $2,500 honorarium for each recipient. 

Other nominees for the Rodgers Distinguished Administrator Award were Joe Muñoz, Jeane Irby, Brenda Stewart, Brian Braden, Randy Hall, Dr. Leslie Mayrand, Dr. John Miazga, Dr. Laurence Musgrove and Dr. James Summerlin. 

Other nominees for the Rodgers Distinguished Faculty Award were Dr. Susana Badiola, Jennifer Braziel, Dr. Kristi Cordell-McNulty, Dr. David Dewar, Dr. Michael Dixon, Dr. Crystal Kreitler, Dr. Pamela Lee, Dr. Sandra Pate, Dr. Connie Russell, Dr. Marva Solomon and Dr. Ned Strenth. 

Other nominees for the Rodgers Distinguished Staff Award were Adra Enos, Amanda Gibson and Dr. Flor Madero, nominated for her previous role on staff.