Jim Tranquada

Two Occidental College professors have been recognized for their scholarly and teaching acumen by national academic and professional organizations.

 

Associate mathematics professor Ron Buckmire has been chosen as the 2011 Educator of the Year by the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals, and psychology professor Nancy Dess has been elected a fellow of the Association for Psychological Science.

Buckmire was chosen for his "outstanding achievements in mathematics and education on race and [gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender] issues," said John Burke, a member of the organization's board of directors. Buckmire's research areas include computational aerodynamics, numerical analysis, and applying mathematics to "real world" situations. He joined the Occidental faculty in 1996.

The Oxy mathematics professor will be honored at a reception and dinner on February 20 during the annual conference in Washington of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which is affiliated with the gay and lesbian scientists and technical professionals group.

Dess was elected in December to fellow status in the Association for Psychological Science, a Washington-based membership organization of 20,000 psychological scientists, academics, clinicians, researchers, teachers, and administrators. The December recognition is the latest award for Dess, who has taught at Occidental since 1986. She has also received the Graham L. Sterling Memorial Award, the College's most prestigious faculty honor.

"As a fellow of APS, you are in the company of the most prominent scientists in our discipline," wrote APS President Mahzarin R. Banaji to Dess. "Your election to fellow status only enhances this distinguished group."