Honors Council Member Rebecca Craft Named WSU Woman of the Year

(From a WSU Today article)

PULLMAN, Wash.—Honors College Council member and long-time professor of psychology Rebecca Craft was named the 2010 WSU Woman of the Year at the annual Women’s Recognition Luncheon March 24. She, and two other women, also were honored with Woman of Distinction awards.

To be considered for the awards, candidates had to distinguish themselves in academic work, career, leadership and public service. Also, each had to contribute to the personal growth and success of others, especially women, through education, research and public or outstanding volunteer service.

A frequent Honors faculty member offering courses in Honors psychology, and a member of the Department of Psychology for 17 years, she was lauded for having demonstrated her commitment to the people and community around her in a multitude of ways. She is honored for excellence in her career, leadership, public service, and commitment to the personal growth and success of others.

In addition to her role as director of the graduate program in experimental psychology, she demonstrates her commitment to women’s issues in her research that focuses on sex differences in therapeutic effects of drugs, in her teaching, and in her mentoring, which has touched the lives of several dozen graduate students, numerous faculty members, and many undergraduate students.

Craft has authored more than 50 peer reviewed publications within her field, made dozens of invited presentations and nearly 60 conference presentations and posters, and earned 19 academic awards for her teaching and mentoring.She has served as president of the Association for Faculty Women. She also developed and offered a workshop illuminating gender differences in workplace communication styles that affect professional development and unit effectiveness.

“Rebecca is a distinguished scholar, an award winning teacher and mentor, a role model par excellence, and a truly delightful person,” said one nominator. “(She) has worked hard to distinguish herself through individual accomplishment, but she worked equally hard to elevate the women around her.”