SamWeb
My Sam
E-mail
History Major, Biology Prof Win Mentoring Awards
April 27, 2012
SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
 |
| President Dana Gibson and Provost Jaimie Hebert congratulate the two SHSU Mentoring Award winners for 2012 history major Raedawn Chanay Jiles (second from left) and assistant professor of biological sciences Madhusudan Choudhary (far right). —Submitted photos |
Senior history major Raedawn Jiles and assistant professor of biological sciences Madhusudan Choudhary have been selected as the Student Advising and Mentoring Center’s fourth annual mentoring award recipients.
Jiles “demonstrated an exceptional commitment to education, not just her own but the education of others,” impressing the selection committee “with her own academic accomplishments and her efforts to enhance educational opportunities for others through her volunteer work," according to Bernice Strauss, SAM Center director for academic support programs.
“Even when most students take breaks, Raedawn serves. Just this last spring break, Raedawn and five other SHSU undergraduates traveled to Lake Charles to help build Habitat for Humanities homes,” said Bernadette Pruitt, associate professor of history and Jiles’s mentor.
She has also applied for a counseling position with Camp For All for the summer. Moreover, if selected, she will spend the entire 2012-2013 academic year as a City Year tutor to at-risk students in a major metropolitan city.
“By giving up a year of her life, she hopes to help someone on the verge of dropping out of school regain his or her intellectual self-worth,” Pruitt said in her nomination. “These examples make the selfless woman priceless.”
 |
| Among the many students who nominated Choudhary are (from left, with Gibson, Hebert and Choudhary) Blaine Mallon, Cheramie Trahan, Gibson, Hebert, Choudhary, Phillip Price, and Bat-Erdene Myagmarjav. |
Choudhary was nominated by a number of students, and his willingness, in his own time, to be available and to commit to students “was just really incredible,” according to Strauss.
“Many late nights and weekends I have sent Dr. Choudhary emails containing questions, comments, and the occasional cry for help,” one nominator said. “His responses are always prompt and filled with assurances and helpful advice. I am lucky and grateful to have him as my mentor and I know all who follow me will feel the same.”
“I have gotten to know Dr. Choudhary over the last two years and I am honored to say that he is not only a mentor but a friend,” another nominator said. “I have become more confident in my abilities as a student and a teacher, and he is an instrumental part of this process. I now understand the significant impact a dedicated teacher can have on someone’s life, and his example has led me to pursue the same profession in the hopes of one day doing the same. There is no way that I can repay him for his service, but nominating him for this award feels like a good start.”
The SHSU Mentoring Award recognizes one student and one faculty or staff member with a $1,000 prize.
Student and faculty nominators submit a one-page essay about why their mentor or protégé should be chosen and how that person makes a difference or how the student gives back and has grown as a result of the relationship.
Nominees were honored and the winners were announced during a reception on April 19.
- END -
This page maintained by SHSU's Communications Office
Associate Director: Julia May
Manager: Jennifer Gauntt
Located in the 115 Administration Building
Telephone: 936.294.1836; Fax: 936.294.1834
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu.
