Patrick Pauken earns Distinguished Service Award

BOWLING GREEN, O.—In only eight years at Bowling Green State University, Dr. Patrick Pauken, an associate professor and chair of the educational administration and leadership studies department, has created a record of service to his college, the University and his students. It has earned him campuswide respect and gratitude and, in recognition of his contributions, the Faculty Senate Distinguished Service Award.

Given at the annual Faculty Recognition Dinner Nov. 8, the award spotlights the importance of the service of a dedicated faculty to the development and enhancement of the University. Pauken received an engraved plaque and $1,000.

In his letter of nomination, Dr. Michael Zickar, an associate professor of psychology, called Pauken a “role model for all faculty members in his willingness to take on additional service responsibilities while maintaining a high level of productivity in teaching and research.” Through his quiet leadership, Pauken has excelled at completing many important tasks often avoided by others, Zickar added.   

Pauken has been a member of Faculty Senate for six years and has been parliamentarian since 2001. In addition, he has served on a number of Faculty Senate committees, chairing the Amendments and Bylaws and Professional Affairs committees and the Ad Hoc Committee on the Code of Ethics and Conduct. With both a law degree and a Ph.D. in educational administration, he brings a high level of expertise to these endeavors.

Pauken has also served on the Provost's Task Force on Academic Freedom and the Academic Freedom Committee, the University Planning Council, the University Graduate Council and the Planning Committee for Accreditation Review.

In the College of Education and Human Development, Pauken has helped create a positive learning environment. As a member of the Curriculum Committee and the Teaching and Research Working Team, he has helped deal with pedagogical matters. He also has been chair and graduate coordinator of the Division of Educational Administration and Leadership Studies since 2005.

Graduate students often praise Pauken for his mentorship and, in the case of Nassim Abdi, who came from Tehran, Iran, for helping her get to the United States and to Bowling Green through his help with all the necessary paperwork.  

Pauken has worked diligently in a variety of capacities to help faculty and University members connect better with one another, and has participated in campus panels on such topics as the Patriot Act and University professionalism.

In addition, he has been on several trips as part of Faculty Senate efforts to speak with legislators about the importance of higher education and BGSU's role in the state economy.

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(Posted November 13, 2006)