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the professional • February 2014 11 E x c e l l e n c e i n t e a c h i n g Chris Latty, child development and family studies faculty member, received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Academic Senate. The award was created to provide special recognition to faculty members who exceed the usual standards and expectations. Latty was nominated for his drive to provide students with up-to-date information to engage in effective, relevant learning. His students say he has made learning the material interesting, relatable and practical since he began teaching at CMU in 2005. N E W S B R I E F S B e y o n d t h e s u r f a c e o f a u t i s m a n d A s p e r g e r 's An acclaimed animal scientist and autism self-advocate will share advice and insight into how to cope with autism and Asperger's. Temple Grandin will present at 7 p.m. March 19 in Finch Fieldhouse as the featured T.R. Johnson Endowment speaker. Her presentation will offer parents, teachers and people with autism helpful tips and practical strategies on how to deal with the various challenges they're facing. A book signing and reception will follow the event. E n g a g i n g s o c i a l c h a n g e Matthew Johnson, Central Michigan University assistant professor of educational leadership, earned top recognition for his research on civic engagement. The 2013 Jon C. Dalton Institute on College Student Values Dissertation of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding doctoral dissertation relevant to the field of college student character and values development. Johnson's research explores the concept of best structuring various programs and courses to strengthen students' civic identity. D i s c o v e r i n g a f u t u r e a t C M U Prospective students have the opportunity to envision their future at CMU when they participate in an EHS Discovery Visit. Through this special College of Education and Human Services program, they can learn about EHS majors and minors, visit academic buildings and tour other campus facilities. Activities also include lunch in a residential restaurant and meetings with professors and academic advisors, as well as financial aid and college application presentations. The 2014 dates are March 25, April 22, May 20 and June 17. For information visit cmich.edu/ehs. W r i t i n g a b o u t w i l d e r n e s s Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Administration Assistant Professor Robert Dvorak received the U.S. Department of Agriculture Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship Award for his research paper. The paper examines changes in use characteristics and attitudes of wilderness visitors to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a 1,090,000-acre wilderness area within the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. Temple Grandin EHS Discovery Visit