Lucia Rusu with CPU teamate Forrest Meiere.

Lucia Rusu, science chair in the General Education and Support Services Division at Ivy Tech State College was selected in May 1997 from among her peers in the Indiana Region to receive the Ivy Tech President's Award for outstanding excellence in instruction. She was also nominated to receive the Glenn W. Sample Award, which annually recognizes the outstanding instruction throughout the Ivy Tech statewide system. Just 12 years ago Lucia was teaching physics at the high school level in her native country of Romania. She came to the United States and enrolled in English as a Second Language classes at Ivy Tech-Central Indiana. As a work-study student, she tutored in the math lab, where students and faculty quickly recognized her talent for teaching. Lucia joined the College as a full-time math instructor in 1992, and in 1996 she was named science chairperson. The CPU Project is very proud to have Lucia as a member of the Indiana CPU Leadership Team.

Steve Robinson

Stephen Robinson, Associate Professor of Physics, was a 1997 recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching at Tennessee Technological University (TTU). According to the local newspaper, Robinson's peers consider him an innovator, and praise his efforts to make a difficult subject more accessible. "Steve has a talent for looking at classes in a new way and being able to bring those new ideas to fruition in the classroom," reported John Shriner, chairperson of the TTU Physics department, who cited in particular Robinson's participation in the CPU project. Robinson was recognized for his achievements, and received a plaque and honorarium during TTU's commencement ceremonies. Steve is a very active member of one of the Tennessee CPU Leadership Teams.

Delaware Governor Tom Carper visits a Concord High School physical science class.

Governor Tom Carper of Delaware, along with the Delaware Secretary of Education Iris Metts recently visited the high school classroom of CPU Leadershop team member Mary Anne Wells. In the photograph physical science students are assisting Carper and Metts with an activity adapted from the CPU Motion and Force unit. The activity was the first performed in Concord High School's Computer Probe lab. The Governor visited Concord High School to hold a press conference and to show his support for innovative science initiatives in Delaware. Also present was Delaware State Board of Education member Nancy Doorey. Mrs. Doorey is leading an effort to raise funds to create similar computer probe lab facilities in other Delaware high schools.

Charles Emmert

Charles Emmert a Noblesville High School teacher and member of the Indiana/Purdue University CPU Team was recently awarded the High School Rube Goldberg Award. This national award is highly recognized among colleges. In recent years the high school component was added to the competition. Along with receiving the award, Noblesville High School is eligible to exhibit/demonstrate at the national Rube Goldberg Contest, Saturday, April 8, 2000.