Legislator leads House in recognizing trooper

Ohio Rep. Jennifer Garrison, D-Marietta, led the Ohio House in a special recognition for the Ohio State Highway Patrol "Trooper of the Year," Caleb Courson of the Marietta Post.

"Trooper Courson is a shining example of the best of the Ohio Highway Patrol," Garrison said. "His work ethic, how he deals with the public and his co-workers, and his common sense approach to law enforcement make him a perfect choice for Trooper of the Year. I am proud that he works out of the Marietta post."

A resolution honoring Courson was read to the members of the House and visitors in the gallery.

Courson was nominated for the honor by his post, and was selected from among the 10 District Troopers of the Year and the 1,500 members of the Patrol statewide.

He joined the Patrol in 2001 and earned his commission the next year. He has served at the Marietta Post, which covers Washington and Morgan counties, his entire career.

He lives in Marietta with his wife, Tracey, and their son, Chatum.

OVU professor will be a presenter

Ohio Valley University professor Gordon Wells will be a presenter at the National Science Teachers Association conference for the 24th time in 26 years.

Wells, OVU's Chair of the School of Mathematics and Science, will present on "Creating Online Blended Courses A Nibble At A Time" from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 19, during the NSTA event in Philadelphia, Pa. His presentation will focus on colleges and universities incorporating online course management systems in their classes, one step at a time.

"Attending and presenting at NSTA each year is a wonderful resource for furthering one's professional development," Wells said. "I'm thrilled that this year my colleague, Dr. Stephen Opoku-Duah, who is OVU's Title III science specialist and an associate professor of physical sciences, will attend. Together we will 'divide and conquer' a number of different presentations and courses featured."

The 2010 NSTA conference, being held March 18 to 21, is expected to draw 16,000 to 20,000 attendees and may feature as many as 1,500 sessions and 1,100 exhibits. The conference offers the latest in science content, teaching strategy and research to enhance and expand an educator's professional growth.

Educators also have the opportunity to collaborate with leaders and peers in their profession through presentations and hands-on workshops, as well as educational field trips, short courses, the NSTA Professional Development Institute and the NSTA Symposium.

WVU-P faculty

member wins honor

Zack Orcutt, a West Virginia University at Parkersburg art faculty member, is the 2010 winner of "Artist of the Year" honors in the West Virginia Governor's Arts Awards program.

Orcutt, an art instructor at WVU Parkersburg, will be honored at a ceremony and gala today, March 15, at the Culture Center in Charleston, W.Va.

The Artist of the Year recognizes an individual artist who has displayed excellence in his or her discipline and has impacted the exposure to the arts in West Virginia through their work.

Honorees in the West Virginia Governor's Arts Awards are selected from nominations submitted for individual artists, organizations and communities in five categories of awards coordinated by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.

Orcutt received a master of fine arts degree in sculpture from Bowling Green State University and a bachelor of fine arts in sculpture from Syracuse University.

His work has been exhibited at institutions such as the Kettering Art Center, the Parkersburg Art Center, Duke University and the Sculpture Center in Cleveland, in addition to international exhibits in Rosario, Argentina; Florence, Italy; Frankfurt, Germany, and Istanbul, Turkey.

He received an Award of Excellence at the 2009 West Virginia Juried Exhibition. He currently has artwork on display at the Parkersburg Art Center as part of the college's annual student/faculty art show.

News of events and happenings in people's lives may be mailed to Janet Gossett, The Marietta Times, P.O. Box 635, Marietta, Ohio 45750; e-mailed to jgossett@mariettatimes.com; submitted through the Virtual Newsroom at www.MariettaTimes.com; or dropped off at The Times office. People of the Times appears on Monday's Neighborhoods page.