2010 Outstanding Mentoring Award Winner - Sherry Yennello
Dr. Sherry J. Yennello, professor of chemistry and associate dean for faculty affairs in the College of Science at Texas A&M University, has been selected by the Texas A&M Women's Faculty Network as the recipient of its 2010 Outstanding Mentoring Award. Yennello was formally presented with the annual award recognizing Texas A&M senior faculty members who offer copious time, effort and energy to guide and support junior faculty as part of the WFN Spring Luncheon, held April 22 in the John J. Koldus Building on the Texas A&M campus. Yennello received a commemorative plaque and a check for $500.
"Having seen the hundreds of faculty who have given graciously of their time to mentor younger faculty through the WFN mentoring program, I am honored to have been selected for this award," Yennello said. "The real reward is seeing these young faculty members thrive. I hope that this award will bring more attention to the role all of us can play in helping to integrate new faculty into our community of scholars here at Texas A&M."
Nominees for the award must be associate or full professors who have served as a mentor in the WFN Mentoring Program, a voluntary program in which experienced faculty members are paired with new faculty to aid with the latter group's transition into a new job setting. In addition, award candidates must not have previously received the award within the past five years.
Yennello, whose research in nuclear chemistry is internationally renowned, joined the Texas A&M faculty in 1993. For her efforts in both teaching and research to benefit the university and the state of Texas, she was honored by The Texas A&M University System as a Regents Professor in 2006. Yennello is a member of the Cyclotron Institute as well as a University Faculty Fellow and current chair of the College of Science Diversity Committee. A fellow of the American Physical Society, she also is a member of the American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi and Phi Lambda Upsilon.
"Sherry is a visible example for other female faculty on campus," said Dr. Mary Jo Richardson, Regents Professor of Oceanography, Geology and Geophysics, in a nomination letter for Yennello. "Sherry is a mentor, not only to female faculty at Texas A&M, but to other faculty and research scientists in her disciplines both nationally and internationally through professional organizations."
Dr. H. Joseph Newton, dean of the College of Science, praised Yennello's contributions in the Department of Chemistry and throughout the overall college.
"In addition to being an outstanding chemist, Sherry Yennello has been an extraordinary role model for both women and men chemists in her many mentoring roles," Newton said. "Chemistry is very lucky to have her, and I am very grateful that she has joined my team at the college level to enhance mentoring across the college."
Jarvis Chris