November 12, 2015
Chuck Rice selected as the 2015 International Educator of the Year
Chuck Rice, university distinguished professor of soil microbiology and incoming chair for the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, will be recognized as the 2015 International Educator of the Year at the International Education Awards Ceremony from 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, in the K-State Alumni Center's Tadtman Boardroom.
Provost April Mason will provide remarks and recognize him with the award. The K-State community is invited to congratulate Rice at the ceremony.
The International Educator of the Year award, established in 2003 by the provost’s office is presented annually to a K-State faculty member or staff for making significant contributions to advancing international education at Kansas State University.
Agronomy faculty members Dorivar Ruiz Diaz, Gary Pierzynski and Mary Beth Kirkham nominated Rice for this award.
In his nomination letter Gary Pierzynski, agronomy department head and professor soil and environmental chemistry, said, "It would be difficult to imagine anyone more deserving of this recognition. Dr. Rice's reputation for outstanding international scholarship and activities is always in evidence when I travel outside of the United States."
"It is quite an honor to be nominated by colleagues," said Marcelo Sabates, associate provost of international programs. "This award represents recognition by your peers for superb work to elevate international awareness on our campus, in our classrooms and abroad."
Marcellus Caldas, assistant provost for international faculty collaborations and educational programs, who chaired the International Educator Selection Committee, said, "Dr. Rice's award is a recognition of a professional who has impacted the field of international education at K-State. His passion for international education is a commitment that is clearly evident in his curriculum."
International Education Week, celebrated the third week in November each year, is a joint initiative by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education to plan events that celebrate the benefits of international education and global cultures.