UW College of Education Honors Four

Nov. 8, 2006 -- The University of Wyoming College of Education is honoring four individuals for their exemplary careers.

Recipients of the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award are Diana J. Ohman and D. Ray Reutzel, while Agnes M. Milstead and James “Jim” Zancanella are the Distinguished Former Faculty Award recipients.

Career opportunities have taken Ohman thousands of miles from her rural Wyoming roots. Now based in Germany, the Sheridan native has been director of Department of Defense schools in Europe since August 1999. Ohman received two degrees from the College of Education -- a B.A. (1972) in elementary education and an M.A. (1977) in educational administration. Her service to Wyoming includes 19 years as a teacher, elementary school principal and special education director. She also was Wyoming superintendent of public instruction and superintendent of Laramie County School District 1 in Cheyenne.

Reutzel, Logan, Utah, received his B.A. (1977) in elementary education and Ph.D. (1992) in education. His career includes service as a public school teacher, higher education faculty member and administrator. He currently holds the Emma Eccles Jones Distinguished Professor and Endowed Chair of Early Childhood Education at Utah State University. Reutzel played an integral role in developing Brigham Young University’s nationally-celebrated Public School Partnership.

Milstead, Laramie, also an alumna (B.A. 1959, elementary education), worked closely with College of Education students throughout her tenure as a university librarian. Milstead encouraged students to consider how strong libraries might not only meet their instructional needs, but how they might provide spaces for students to expand their horizons and foster lifelong learning skills. She was a founding member of the Library Associates and established the Agnes Milstead Distinguished Librarianship Award recognizing outstanding faculty, and the Milstead Endowment, which funds library purchases and educational programs.

Zancanella, Salt Lake City, Utah, served on the College of Education faculty for 30 years, where he taught business education and served 17 years as Department of Vocational Education chairman. Passionately committed to business and vocational education, Zancanella assumed leadership roles in state and national vocational education organizations. He was a member of the Mountain-Plains Business Education Association for more than 40 years, a member of the National Business Education Association board for nine years, and a member of the State Economic Education Council. Zancanella also was a grant writer, securing a $300,000 grant for equipment for the industrial arts addition and grants totaling more than $3 million for the Department of Vocational Education Department.

Photo

UW College of Education ambassador Amber Vossler, left, of Huron, S.D., and athletics department intern Melanie Friesen, right, of Westminster, Colo., escort Agnes M. Milstead onto the field during the UW/San Diego State University football game. The UW College of Education honored Milstead and three other individuals for exemplary careers. (UW Photo)

Posted on Wednesday, November 08, 2006