GSA honors those who support grad students at Rice

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) has recognized several staff, students and friends of the university for their strong support of Rice graduate students with its service awards for 2014.

The Faculty Teaching and Mentoring Award is presented to faculty members who demonstrate outstanding service to graduate student education. This year’s recipients are Jane Grande-Allen, professor of bioengineering, and Tim Cochran, professor of mathematics.

The Faculty/Staff Service Award is given to Rice staff members who have gone beyond the call of duty to improve the quality of life for graduate students at Rice. This year’s recipients are Jennifer Gucwa, department coordinator in the Department of Psychology, and Stephanie Spicer Frey, development and communications manager in the School of Humanities.

The Robert Lowry Patten Award is given in honor of Robert Patten, the Lynette S. Autrey Professor Emeritus in Humanities and former GSA faculty adviser. It recognizes graduate students who might not otherwise have been honored for their service and achievement on behalf of graduate students. This year it honors: Kelly Weber, history; Kiri Kilpatrick, chemical and biomolecular engineering; Robert LiKamWa, electrical and computer engineering; and Katia Zavistovski, art history.

The recipients of the GSA Service Award were selected based on their contributions of time, effort and service to improving graduate life and education at Rice. They are Michael “Goat” Domeracki, graduate student in religious studies, and Jonathan “JD” Dornell, graduate student in biochemistry and cell biology.

The Friends of Rice Graduate Students Award is presented in recognition of efforts to enhance the lives of graduate students. This award honors people within and beyond the Rice community who may not otherwise be recognized for their service to graduate students. This year’s recipients are Tim Abraham, facilities coordinator in the Student Center, and Anne Hellebust, graduate student in bioengineering.