WCC Professors Recognized for Excellence in Teaching

Staff member and volunteer receive Chancellor's Award

Windward Community College
Contact:
Bonnie J Beatson, (808) 235-7374
Mktg & Public Rel Dir, Chancellor's Office
Posted: Jun 5, 2013

Regents Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching Award recipient Fred Kalani Meinecke
Regents Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching Award recipient Fred Kalani Meinecke

Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching 2013
Fred Kalani Meinecke

Fred Kalani Meinecke, Assistant Professor of Hawaiian Language received the 2013 University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching, which recognizes faculty who exhibit an extraordinary level of subject mastery and scholarship, teaching effectiveness and creativity, and personal values beneficial to students.

Kumu Kalani, as he is known by his students, “breathes life into the Hawaiian language through his personal and intimate knowledge of both culture and language.” Kumu Kalani’s determination to keep the Hawaiian language alive is recognized by his students, who say that this resolve offers them a “greater sense of hope and pride.” He has inspired many of his students to continue their education into graduate level work, and many have become teachers themselves.

Francis Davis Award for Excellence in Teaching 2013
Ross Langston

Assistant Professor of Biology, Ross Langston received the 2013 Francis Davis Award for Excellence in Teaching, recognizing his dedication to teaching, demonstrating excellence as a teacher and attention to undergraduate students.

Students commented, “Being around him, I know I am going to learn something new and that makes me excited to learn,” and “Ross is, without a doubt, one of the hardest working, committed, and enthusiastic instructors I have ever met.”

Langston has been the key player in the creation of the Veterinary Technology program at Windward Community College. He has brought it from infancy to establishment of the Certificate of Achievement in Veterinary Assisting, and finally to the Associate in Science in Veterinary Technology degree today. 

Chancellorʻs Award for Outstanding Service 2013
Lisa Hayashi

As Academic Support Specialist for the Natural Sciences Department at Windward Community College, Lisa Hayashi has proven herself indispensible to science faculty and students at the college. Her organization and safety standards applied in all her work have earned her “Best and Most Careful Lab Technician” in the UH system.

Chancellorʻs Award for Outstanding Voluntary Service 2013
Sandy Kurosaki

Sandy Kurosaki, Windward Ho‘olaule‘a Fundraising champion (ret.) is recognized for outstanding contributions and voluntary support of the College and its mission. Sandy Kurosaki loves the Windward community and higher education.

Over a period of five years, Sandy Kurosaki helped raise more than $200,000 to keep the annual Windward Ho‘olaule‘a event going — each year, providing more scholarships to deserving WCC students than the last. Event proceeds in 2012 totaled $30,000 with $23,000 benefitting student scholarships and $7,000 going toward college programs through the WCC Advancement Fund.  She was the consummate volunteer — taking the lead wherever it was needed — whether it was coordinating tents, lights, tables and chairs or rounding up friends to staff the information tent. “It was all for the scholarships,” Sandy would say.