Emeritus receives state science teacher organization lifetime award

Contact: Deanne Puca

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's Dr. Mark Jenness, emeritus researcher in the areas of science and mathematics, was awarded a prestigious lifetime achievement award from the Michigan Science Teacher's Association at the organization's 59th annual meeting in Lansing earlier this month.

Jenness, who retired from WMU in 2010, was awarded the George G. Mallinson Award for Lifetime Achievement in the field of science education. Established in the late 1990s, the award was named for Dr. George Mallinson, a former dean of the WMU Graduate College and MSTA founder. It is given to a person who has shown a high standard of commitment to the advancement of science education. It is MSTA's most prestigious award.

Jenness came to WMU as a graduate student in 1986, became a research associate in 1992 and then co-director and senior researcher of WMU's Science and Mathematics Program Improvement from 1993-98. In 1998, he rose to the position of director and senior researcher with SAMPI, an outreach division of WMU's Mallinson Institute for Science Education that specializes in evaluation, research, and technical assistance for K-12 schools and other educational institutions.

He held those jobs until his retirement in 2010 and continues to remain an active researcher, serving as lead investigator on national, statewide, and local educational improvement efforts. He specializes in evaluation and technical assistance in the areas of science, mathematics and environmental education.

Jenness earned a bachelor's degree from Nazareth College and master's and doctoral degrees from WMU.

For more information, visit msta-mich.org.