Three Receive Distinguished Faculty Awards

Peter Goodrich (English), Peggy House (Mathematics and Computer Science) and Robert Kulisheck (Political Science) are recipients of the 2005 NMU Distinguished Faculty Awards. Each will receive $1,000 and be recognized at spring commencement.

Goodrich arrived at NMU in 1984. As an authority on the figure Merlin, the English professor has earned an international reputation for his many publications on Medieval and fantasy literature. He serves on the executive council for the Medieval Association of the Midwest and is the editor of its newsletter, Nuntia. Goodrich organized the group's annual meeting held last fall at NMU. His teaching interests also include technical communication, rhetorical theory, Irish literature, fantasy and myth, and modern fiction. He received a bachelor of the arts degree in English from Dartmouth College, and an Anglo-Irish Literature diploma from Trinity College. He holds a master of arts degree in English language and literature, as well as a doctorate in prose fiction, medieval literature and rhetoric and composition, from the University of Michigan.

House joined the mathematics faculty in 2003 and teaches courses that emphasize teaching methods, the history of the discipline, and elementary mathematical content. While a relative newcomer to the department, she has worked at Northern since 1993, when she was hired to direct the Seaborg Center. In that capacity, House served the Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics and was the organization's first recipient of the Outstanding Contributions to Mathematics Education Award. She also worked actively on the Michigan Statewide Systemic Initiative and the Michigan Network of Mathematics and Science Centers. House has been a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and just received the NCTM Lifetime Achievement Award (see related story on front page). House received a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics and physics from Alverno College. She holds a master of science degree in secondary education mathmematics and physics from Kansas State University, where she also acquired a doctorate in mathematics and physics for college training.

Kulisheck joined the NMU faculty in 1969 and served 23 years as head of the department. He has developed and taught numerous courses in American government, public administration, comparative politics and international relations. Kulisheck led the effort to create a master of public administration program at NMU and has played a key role in the development of the new MPA concentrations in health care administration and criminal justice administration. He also assisted in the formation of a new NMU-MPA extension program in the Sault Ste. Marie area. He chairs the Washington, D.C. Scholarship Committee and the Academic Service Learning Advisory Committee at NMU. In addition to his university service, Kulisheck has experience as an elected public official. He was a Marquette City commissioner, mayor pro tem and mayor from 1979-1985. He currently chairs the City of Marquette Municipal Fellows program. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Mankato State University and a master's and doctorate from the University of Iowa.

The Distinguished Faculty Awards honor full-time faculty who have made significant contributions to NMU and their professional areas.