April 23, 2009 - Three faculty members at California State University, Bakersfield have been awarded the 2008-09 Faculty Awards by the CSUB Faculty Senate, University Research Council and the university. The awards were acknowledged at the annual President's Associates dinner held yesterday (April 22) at the Petroleum Club.

Professor of Art Education Dianne Turner has received the Millie Ablin Excellence in Teaching Award; Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures Helia Corral has received the Faculty Leadership and Service Award; Professor of Biology and Director of CSUB's Facility for Animal Care and Treatment (FACT) David Germano has received the Faculty Research Award.

The faculty awards are presented annually to recognize the outstanding contributions of CSUB faculty members to their students, the university and their disciplines. Nominations are submitted by administrators, other faculty members, students and alumni.

Dianne Turner
Turner has worked at CSUB since 1989. Prior to arriving in Bakersfield, she began her career as an elementary school teacher in Laurens, South Carolina where she worked full time and earned her master's degree in art education from the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Under Turner's tutelage, the artwork done by the children of Laurens earned national and state recognition. After she completed her doctorate in art education from Pennsylvania State University, she joined CSUB and has continued to bring her enthusiasm for art and history to the children of our community through the Children's Art Institute.

Helia Corral
Corral joined the CSUB faculty in 1974. Born in Mexico City, Mexico, Corral has earned bachelor's degrees in accounting, English and Spanish from San Diego State University; a master's degree in Spanish from the University of California, San Diego; and a doctorate in Spanish from the University of Southern California. Corral founded the Club Literario Hermes at CSUB, which produces an annual literary magazine featuring students' work and hosts cultural field trips.

David Germano
Germano currently serves as director of FACT. He received a bachelor's degree in biology from California State University, Northridge; a master's degree in wildlife ecology from University of Arizona; and earned a doctorate in biology from the University of New Mexico. Germano's professional experience is not limited to FACT; he also consults with public and private organizations about environmental conflicts. He has received numerous honors, grants and awards to further his research on endangered species.