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UST Faculty Members Recognized for Excellence
8/17/2009
 University of St. Thomas faculty continue to progress in the areas of education, research and service to the University and the community. Fellow faculty, staff and students recognized three faculty members’ achievements with the 2008-2009 faculty awards for excellence in teaching, research and service at Faculty Study Day on Monday, August 17.
Dr. Rick Krustchinsky, professor of education, received the St. Thomas Aquinas Award for Excellence in Teaching. Krustchinsky has served on the UST faculty since 1981. “Dr. K,” as he is known to his students, presents seminars throughout the United States on math and science, using his expertise to conduct “Tips for TAKS Seminars” in the Houston area. Krustchinsky and his students work with the Helms Learning Community, a Houston Independent School District school, which provides his students real-world experience.
The connection with the school also gave him math and science education research which he published in Science and Children. His science education research can be read in his upcoming book, Incredible Edible Science: Recipes for Developing Science and Literary Skills, due to be published late 2009. His service learning projects garnered him a 2006 Outstanding Faculty Award for Service Learning. For nine years, Krustchinsky has taken students to England to compare the education systems in the U.S. and England.
 Dr. Rollen Edward Houser, professor of philosophy in the Center for Thomistic Studies, is the recipient of the St. Edith Stein Excellence in Research Award. Houser has been on the UST faculty since 1987. Recent works include translating and authoring The Cardinal Virtues: Aquinas, Albert, Philip the Chancellor and co-authoring a collaborative research project, Aquinas and the Arabs. Houser edited and wrote an essay for a festschrift, Laudemus viros gloriosos: Essays in Honor of Armand Maurer, C.S.B.
His annual participation in the International Congress on Medieval Studies at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo as session organizer has lead to a seven-volume series on each of the cardinal and theological virtues; the first volume of Aquinas and the Virtues is completed with the next six following. Houser serves on the Bonaventure Texts in Translation Series editorial board, and one of the volumes for the series, Bonaventure: Commentary on the Sentences, Book 1: Philosophical Consideration of God, is under final revisions.
 Dr. Gustavo Wensjoe, late associate professor and director of the Center for International Studies, received the Joseph McFadden Excellence in Service Award. Wensjoe was a UST faculty member since 1992 and the director for five years. Praises for Wensjoe’s service have poured out from students, alumni, faculty, staff and the Houston community. He served one of the most popular majors on campus as a devoted teacher who demanded the best out of his students. As director, Wensjoe revised the degree plan to meet demands of the global market place, and expanded the Study Abroad Program. The creation of MicroCredit showed how Wensjoe challenged his students to be global citizens.
To expand his students’ knowledge of the world, the Center hosts regular speaker series, workshops, cultural and film festivals. He also devoted his time to help the poor of Latin America and his native Peru. His legacy of service will continue through his students.
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