Three Florida Tech Faculty Members Honored for Excellence

MELBOURNE, FLA. —Three Florida Institute of Technology faculty members recently earned the university’s 2010 Faculty Excellence Awards for outstanding performance. They were Jamie Younkin, assistant professor of humanities and communication, the Andrew W. Revay Jr. Award for Excellence in Service; Brian Lail, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, the Award for Excellence in Research; and Kevin B. Johnson, associate professor of oceanography, the Kerry Bruce Clark Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Younkin, a musicologist by degree, is among the first music directors at Florida Tech. There was no music program at the university three years ago, but Florida Tech is now known for its frequent musical concerts and performances showcasing its orchestra, multiple ensembles and choral groups.“Younkin’s sheer determination and dedication are the ingredients that make this program a true success,” said Robert Taylor, head of the Department of Humanities and Communication. She is also well-known for her participation in the university’s rock band, TWITCHY, led by Florida Tech President Anthony J. Catanese.

Lail earned the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, which he received in a ceremony held at the White House in 2008.The award provides research support of $200,000 per year, over five years, for a total single investigator award of $1 million. In addition to this substantial national award, Lail is the principal investigator in numerous funded projects.He has an impressive list of recent journal publications and has made many professional presentations.

Kevin B. Johnson teaches a wide range of marine and environmental courses at Florida Tech.He has received numerous awards for his teaching, including the Walter M. Nunn Jr. Award for Excellence in Teaching in the College of Engineering in 2008; the Faculty Mini-grant for Education/
Instructional Technology from the Academic Information Technology Committee; and a mini-grant from the Faculty Summer Institute sponsored by the Florida Tech Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence.