Honors College Associate Dean Elstad Receives Prestigious WSU Sahlin Award for Instruction
PULLMAN, Wash.―Catherine A. Elstad, associate dean of the Honors College at Washington State University, has been named the 2013 recipient of the Sahlin Faculty Excellence Award in the instruction category.
“This WSU-wide honor is affirmation of the depth and breadth of impact Cathy has had on hundreds of students at our institution, and we are very pleased that she is part of the Honors College administration team,” says Libby Walker, Honors dean.
“I am both humbled and honored to receive the Sahlin,” says Elstad. “I have high respect for the remarkable educators who are past recipients of this award. I am proud that these teachers, and so many more, do so much to bring learning to life for WSU students.
“What has always driven me is the challenge to create quality experiences for students, ones that enhance their success. I am happy that I can continue my passions— for students and for education—here in the Honors College.”
Elstad is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and won the College of Pharmacy teaching award 11 times in the past 20 years. At WSU since 1978 and on faculty since 1987, she has taught many courses—including eight different ones in the past five years—for both the pharmacy and honors colleges. She also serves as thesis coordinator in Honors.
The Sahlin Award announcement commends her extensive contributions to improving education at WSU by serving as an inaugural and active member of the WSU Teaching Academy and its revisioning committee for the learning goals for undergraduates. She chaired the university-wide general education committee, is on the faculty affairs subcommittee of the Faculty Senate, and served as associate dean of students services in the College of Pharmacy.
Elstad’s research interests include cancer biology; modulation of tumor phenotype; and tumor cell-extracellular matrix interactions.
The Sahlin Awards will be presented in four categories at the WSU Showcase’s Celebrating Excellence Recognition Banquet March 29. The award for instruction recognizes a faculty member’s “truly outstanding accomplishments in the establishment of excellence in instructional programs at WSU.” Over a period of years, winners may have delivered exceptionally effective instruction, organized or conducted new courses or programs of study, revitalized existing courses or programs, and established a national reputation as a leader in instruction.
Elstad earned her Ph.D. in zoology at WSU. Her master’s degree in biology is from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and her bachelor’s degree in biology and modern foreign languages is from Jamestown College in North Dakota.
CONTACT: Beverly Makhani, Communications Director, Honors College at WSU, 509-335-6679, Makhani@wsu.edu