Faculty and staff news

Ronald Bacigal, professor of law, received the 2008 Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Award from the Criminal Law Section of the Virginia State Bar. The award recognizes individuals who have made singular and unique contributions to the improvement of the criminal justice system in Virginia. The University has named him twice as a Distinguished Educator, and he has received the Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

The National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) has inducted Jennifer L. Erkulwater, assistant professor of political science, as a member. NASI accepted 41 candidates who best displayed knowledge of Social Security, Medicare, workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, social assistance and employee benefits. Members are recognized as experts in the field and frequently work on study panels, committees and projects for the academy. Prospective members must be nominated by current members and interviewed by the membership committee. NASI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with more than 800 members.

Erkulwater is author of Disability Rights and the American Social Safety Net.

Richard Gillem, chair of military science and leadership, was named Professor of Military Science of the Year from among 19 host Army ROTC battalions in North Carolina and Virginia. He will compete for Cadet Command's Professor of Military Science of the Year with 12 other officers selected from across the nation. Colin Nelson was selected as best logistics coordinator from North Carolina and Virginia.

Brian Henry, associate professor of English and creative writing, won the 2008 Cecil B. Hemley Memorial Award from the Poetry Society of America.

Karl Rhodes, editor of Richmond Alumni Magazine, won the CASE District III Grand Award for feature writing for "Saving the Mummy," an article in the spring 2007 issue. The article was judged the best magazine article in the district, which includes colleges and universities in the southeastern United States.

Tomaz Salamun, distinguished writer-in-residence, published his 10th book of poetry in English, Woods and Chalices, with Harcourt. The book was translated with Brian Henry, associate professor of English and creative writing.

Porcher Taylor, associate professor in the School of Continuing Studies, and David R. Maraghy, a sports law attorney, published the article "Pro Teams Should Reward Good Off-Field Behavior" in the fall 2007 issue of the American Bar Association's quarterly Entertainment and Sports Lawyer.