May, 11, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Diane Dixon
805-756-2816
Two Cal Poly Faculty Members to Receive the University’s Annual Distinguished Scholarship Award
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cal Poly has named a professor of psychology and child development and an associate professor of biological sciences to receive the university’s Distinguished Scholarship Award for 2008-09, the sixth year for the award program.
Psychology and Human Development Professor Patrice L. Engle and Biological Sciences Associate Professor Dean Wendt were recognized for helping improve the human condition and quality of life and demonstrating the possibilities of the teacher-scholar model.
Engle and Wendt were selected from 119 nominations and 15 finalists.
They will be honored at spring commencement ceremonies, Sunday, June 14 and will be recognized during the university’s Fall Conference General Session on Monday, Sept. 14.
Engle was chosen for her research of and commitment to women’s and children’s advocacy. Additionally, her work with organizations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization helps teach others care, nutrition and child development in developing nations.
Through videos, conferences and publications in major journals such as “The Lancet,” Engle has brought her work to audiences ranging from mothers in rural India to the British medical establishment. She is widely published, has secured research funding and has presented papers at numerous academic conferences.
Engle has been teaching at Cal Poly since 1980. She served as department head of the Psychology and Child Development Department for three years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1966 from Wellesley College and a doctorate in child development/psychological studies in 1971 from Stanford University.
Wendt was honored for the broad focus of his scholarship, as well as excellence in the classroom, laboratory and beyond. An important aspect of his work is an active partnership of discovery with his students. Wendt has enhanced the educational and employment opportunities of his students by partnering with them in projects such as the San Luis Obispo Science and Ecosystem Alliance (SLOSEA), which he founded. The SLOSEA project is recognized as a model for ecosystem-based marine management in the United States and abroad.
Wendt has obtained more than $6 million in funding from an array of diverse agencies, organizations and institutions including the National Science foundation, Office of Naval Research, Resources Legacy Fund Foundation, David and Lucille Packard Foundation and the World Wildlife Fund. He has published numerous peer-reviewed papers and presented several talks and posters at professional societies.
Wendt has been teaching at Cal Poly since 2002. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1993 from Cal Poly, a master’s in biology in 1995 from Harvard University, and a doctorate in biology from Harvard in 1999.
The Distinguished Scholarship Award was established in 2003 to recognize faculty achievements in research, creative work and other professional development activities. The award supports research and other creative endeavors and encourages the professional growth of Cal Poly faculty members.
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