Kutztown University honored Professor Cheryl Hochberg, Dr. Todd Underwood and Dr. Adrienne Oakley.
Dr. Hochberg, chairperson of the Department of Fine Arts, received a Chambliss Faculty Research Award; Dr. Underwood, professor of biology, received a Chambliss Faculty Research Award; and Dr. Oakley, assistant professor of marine geology, received the John P. Schellenberg Award.
The Chambliss award, inaugurated in 2004 through a gift from Dr. Carlson R. Chambliss, professor emeriti, is meant to recognize the very highest achievement in research and scholarship and can be awarded only once in a person’s career.
The Schellenberg award, established by John P. Schellenberg, emeriti professor of physical science, recognizes an early career faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding “good work” within the mission of the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching.
Professor Hochberg is an accomplished artist, as well as a full professor. She has recently presented her paintings in solo exhibitions at the Allentown Art Museum, Montgomery College in Takoma Park, Md. and the Banana Factory in Bethlehem, as well as in group shows at the Ice Box in Philadelphia and Womanmade Gallery in Chicago. She has participated in artist residency programs at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, the Studios at Key West and Arquetopia in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Her work has been reproduced in numerous publications including the “International Painting Annual” (Manifest Press), “New American Paintings” (Open Studio Press) and “Animals in Art” (Schiffer Publishing), and is on display as a part of the collections of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley Hospital. Hochberg’s work is currently displayed at the “Head to Toe” show in Philadelphia at Graver’s Lane Gallery. In summer 2015, she plans to complete a monthlong artist residency in Italy called “La Macina di San Cresci.”
Dr. Underwood has exhibited an extraordinary commitment to research in ornithology, establishing an impressive record of publication and professional presentations in his discipline. Underwood recently received national recognition through his selection as an elective member by the American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU), the premiere professional society for avian biologists. He has published more than 20 peer-reviewed papers on the behavior and ecology of birds, and is best recognized professionally for his research on avian brood parasitism. He has also continuously sought to maximize opportunities for student participation in his research, and dedicates much of his time toward promoting the presentation and publication of student work.
Underwood actively uses his background in ecology and his commitment to environmental causes as a member and officer of the Borough of Kutztown’s Environmental Advisory Commission, through which he has played an active role in maintaining the Sacony Trail and contributing to plans for use and study of the borough’s newly designated North Park.
Dr. Oakley is dedicated to providing her students with the very best career and graduate school preparation. Through field trips with her marine geology and oceanography courses, Oakley provides students with the opportunity to interact with her research students, aiding in the collection and interpretation of data, and therefore contributing to active research projects. This acts as an inspiration for students interested in pursuing a career in the field, as they become directly involved in the research process.
Oakley dedicates a significant portion of her time to training students in equipment use and teaching them the techniques, concepts, computer programs and other skills necessary for them to contribute to cutting-edge research. In her research and field experience, Oakley has, in collaboration with two KU marine science students, designed, built and field tested a complete vibracoring system in summer 2012.
In 2011, Oakley was joined by five KU undergraduate students on a 42-day marine geophysical research cruise to the western Pacific Ocean during which the students received hands-on training in marine geophysical data acquisition, processing and interpretation while studying the oldest oceanic crust on the planet.
Also in 2011, Oakley received a $10,000 research grant to fund her ongoing research on surface and sub-surface mapping in the coastal zone of Wallops Island NASA Flight Facility. Oakley has been chair to the Chincoteague Bay Field Station (formerly the Marine Science Consortium) Academic Advisory Council since June 2014.