Two Northwest Indiana Purdue University Calumet professors and another from Chicago have received the university’s annual Outstanding Faculty Awards for the 2008-09 academic year.

left to right: Chancellor Cohen with Harvey Abramowitz, Charlie Tseng, and Dave Kozel

The award winners are: Professor of Electrical Engineering David Kozel of Crown Point (Outstanding Teacher), Professor of Biological Sciences Charles Tseng of Munster (Outstanding Faculty Scholar) and Professor of Mechanical Engineering Harvey Abramowitz of Chicago (Outstanding Faculty Service).

The honorees received their awards at Purdue Calumet’s recent fall semester-opening Faculty-Staff Convocation.

Outstanding Teacher recipient David Kozel

As a 20-year, electrical engineering faculty member at Purdue Calumet, Professor Kozel has taught more than 20 different courses while continuing to pursue understanding of emerging topics. He has been described as professional, kind, respectful, a role model and mentor who sets high expectations and leads by example. Students have complimented his ability to present challenging subject material in a stimulating, organized and passionate manner.

Additionally, students have expressed their appreciation of his open door policy of availability that extends to weekends and his home. Various students and alumni also have remarked of the help and encouragement he has demonstrated to them regarding careers and doctoral study pursuit.

“I am both honored and humbled to receive this award,” Kozel said. “Purdue Calumet has many excellent teachers. It is a great place to learn and grow.”

Kozel holds baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees from Purdue University.

Outstanding Faculty Scholar recipient Charles Tseng

Professor Tseng is respected for his work in basic genetic research, pathogen-host interactions and bacterial DNA typing. His contributions to scientific and scholarly research during his 34 years at Purdue Calumet include: development of DNA vaccines for infectious diseases and cancer, development of new DNA technologies for microbial source tracking for assessing ecological threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem, and analysis of the effects of radiofrequency fields on living human cells. Over the past five years, he has attracted to campus more than $3 million in major research grants while serving as Principal Investigator.

Under his supervision, numerous undergraduate and graduate students have used opportunities to conduct research in molecular biology and genetics as a springboard to work in clinical and research laboratories nationwide.

“It is a great honor to receive this award,” Tseng said. “I am grateful to so many administrators, faculty members and students who have supported me throughout these years.”

Tseng holds an undergraduate degree from Taiwan Normal University (China), a master’s degree from National Taiwan University (China) and a Ph.D. from the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA).

Outstanding Faculty Service recipient Harvey Abramowitz

Throughout his 22-year career at Purdue Calumet, Professor Abramowitz has attracted many of the engineering students he has taught at Purdue Calumet, while generating resources and support to help them succeed. Three National Science Foundation grants he has obtained, valued at more than $1 million, have generated scholarships for 83 students from underrepresented populations in science, engineering, mathematics and technology.

Active in local and national professional societies, he produced nearly $150,000 in support of Purdue Calumet student activities as the Iron and Steel Society’s Ferrous Metallurgy Grant Program Professor (2002-05). In 2008, he introduced a camp for pre-college teachers to learn more about engineering. He also has been active in environmental issues, serving as a member of the Indiana Recycling Market Development Board and involving students in solid waste research.

“One of my goals has been to assist students by offering them programs and opportunities to reach their full academic potentials,” he said. “It is both rewarding and especially gratifying when the success of these efforts is recognized through the achievements of the students, the acknowledgment of others in my professional areas of specialization, and by this award from my peers at Purdue Calumet, whose commitment, knowledge and expertise I greatly value.”

Abramowitz holds undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees from Columbia University.