[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 157 (Monday, November 3, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S13802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      2003 PROFESSORS OF THE YEAR

 Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate two 
Virginians, Dr. Edward Ayers and Dr. Patty Hale, on their recent 
selection as Professors of the Year. This award, given by the Council 
for Advancement and Support of Education, is a major accomplishment as 
only four national awards are given out each year. Dr. Ayers was 
recognized as Outstanding Doctoral and Research College Professor of 
the Year, and Dr. Hale was recognized as Outstanding Master's 
University and College Professor of the Year.
  While I have not had the pleasure of meeting with these individuals 
personally, I have reviewed their qualifications. These two 
individuals, who have dedicated large portions of their lives to higher 
learning and to educating tomorrow's leaders, are imminently qualified 
for these awards. How fortunate we are in Virginia to have two such 
distinguished professors.
  Dr. Edward Ayers is a Professor of History and Dean of Arts and 
Sciences at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. An 
expert in Southern history, Dr. Ayers has taught for over 20 years and 
has authored numerous books. In 2000, he was appointed to the National 
Council for the Humanities by President Clinton, and in 2002, he was 
named to the Executive Board of the National Council for History 
Education. He has also been recognized for excellence in teaching, 
having received the Arthur Stocker Award for Outstanding Teaching from 
the ODK Honor Society at U.Va. and the Outstanding Faculty Award from 
the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia.
  In addition, Dr. Ayers has created an innovative online program, the 
Valley of the South Project, which is a digital archive that allows 
people from around the world to explore the history of the Civil War. 
Four million people have visited the Valley of the South Project to 
explore the issues surrounding the coming, fighting, and aftermath of 
the Civil War. The Project has also won the critical acclaim of Dr. 
Ayers' peers, garnering the James Harvey Robinson Prize from the 
American Historical Association and the E-Lincoln Prize for Best 
Digital Project.
  Dr. Patty Hale is a Professor of Nursing at Lynchburg College, in 
Lynchburg, VA. At Lynchburg College, she has won several teaching 
awards, including the State Council of Higher Education Distinguished 
Faculty Achievement Award.
  One of Dr. Hale's most successful ventures has been her collaboration 
with four of her students on writing two directories of their 
community's health and social services. These booklets have been 
distributed free of charge to area residents and health professionals 
and have enhanced the knowledge and patronage of area health resources.
  Her work has earned Dr. Hale great respect and honors in her 
community, including the James A. Huston Excellence in Scholarship 
Award. Dr. Hale is committed to serving those less fortunate and has 
invested countless hours in forging community relationships to help 
disadvantaged people in her area. She and her students have started 
programs to provide health services to residents at several area 
shelters, clinics, and neighborhood health centers, most of which serve 
inner city low-income populations.
  I commend both Dr. Ayers and Dr. Hales for the excellence in 
education, and am pleased to recognize them as recipients of Professors 
of the Year.

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