Western Oregon University Welcomes the Oregon Academy of Science

The OAS meeting will begin Saturday at 7:00 AM with registration at Werner University Center.

(MONMOUTH) - Western Oregon University will host the 65th annual meeting of the Oregon Academy of Science on Saturday, February 24, 2007. The OAS promotes science education and scientific research within the state. The academy's thirteen sections work to encourage communication among Oregon scientists, both private and public and fosters the growth of tomorrow's scientists through the junior academy for high school students.

The Oregon Junior Academy of Science will meet at WOU on Friday, February 23rd. High school students doing research in the sciences, mathematics and psychology are invited to participate, as well as group research projects. Outstanding OJAS presenters are eligible to present again to compete for scholarships at the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium on Saturday, February 24th, at WOU.

The OAS meeting will begin at 7:00 AM with registration at Werner University Center. Section presentations begin between 8:00 and 8:30 AM. Attendees will have an opportunity to review posters from 10:30 to 11:15 AM. Section presentations begin at 11:15 AM with lunch following at 12:15 PM The awards and business meeting starts at 1:00 PM, followed by the keynote address in the Columbia Room of WUC. The day will end with section presentations between 3:00 and 4:30 PM.

Jack Barth, Ph.D., will present the keynote address for the event, discussing "severe hypoxia in Oregon's coastal ocean: mechanisms and impacts." He's a professor of physical oceanography at Oregon State University and his research includes the study of marine bio-physical interactions, the California current, wind strength and upwelling, ocean bottom topography and various coastal studies. This talk is free and open to the public.

Western Oregon University professor Tamina Toray, Ph.D., is being honored with 2007 Outstanding Teacher award for higher education. She has demonstrated her dedication and commitment to education during her 25 years as a therapist and instructor, 15 of those years spent at WOU. Toray is known for utilizing unique methods and commanding respect from her students as a teacher. She has taught various developmental psychology and veterinary courses, including compassionate end-of-life care and lifespan development at WOU. Toray has published two book chapters and seven manuscripts, and currently has two in progress. She received the award for "Most Valuable Teacher" from Colorado State, and an award for Who's Who in Death, Dying, Suicide, and Bereavement Community by King's College, and has been nominated four times for Western's Teacher of the Year Award.

Her research focuses on the impact of loss and grief across the lifespan, adolescents and adults, bonds between humans and animals, stress and coping, and eating disordered behaviors in young adults. Toray received her bachelor's in human development and family studies from Colorado State University 1980, then went on to receive her Master of Arts in counseling at Truman State University in 1982 and her Ph.D. in family studies at Oregon State University in 1992.

The 2007 Outstanding Scientist award will be given to Richard Ellis, Ph.D., a political science professor at Willamette University since 1990. He moved to Oregon after receiving his Bachelor of Arts in politics from UC Santa Cruz, and his master's and doctorate in political science from UC Berkeley in 1989. Ellis teaches in the area of American politics, including the presidency, political development, and the initiative process. He also teaches courses in liberalism, privacy, and patriotism. A well written man, Ellis has published 12 books on the history of the American presidency and American political culture. His most recent book, "To the Flag: The Unlikely History of the Pledge of Allegiance," won the 2005 Langum Prize in Legal History.

Daniel Jamsa of Grant Community Middle School will be given the 2007 Outstanding Teacher award for K-12. He is passionate about environmental stewardship, and encourages his students to be environmentally conscious. His students have received the Discovery Channel Young Scientist award, the Bush Garden Award, and the Presidential Environmental Youth Award for their project on saving the endangered Blue Fender Butterfly. Jamsa has a deep investment in education techniques. He has been nominated twice for Oregon Teacher of the Year.

His students submit 20-30 projects per year at the Oregon Junior Academy of Science; and his students have received three special awards and placed 2nd and 3rd numerous times in the Intel Science Expo. Other examples of his class' projects to date include relating forest research to community needs, and activities associated with the Salem clean water festival. Mr. Jamsa is one of those special teachers who generate relevance and interest in his students, inspiring them and equipping them with the tools to better their environment.