Drs. Miller, left, and Huffman

East Stroudsburg - East Stroudsburg University’s Distinguished Professor Awards for 2007 were presented to Dr. Jane E. Huffman, professor of biological sciences, and Dr. Edith Miller, professor of academic enrichment and learning and director of disability services, at the annual Freshmen Convocation. The awards are the highest faculty honor and are presented to recognize outstanding contributions to the university in the areas of teaching, scholarship, creative endeavor, and/or service to the university or community.

A member of the ESU faculty since 1986, Dr. Huffman has, throughout her career, continued to be a major influence on students in the biological sciences. Professor Huffman’s students have demonstrated considerable success in various fields related to biological study, particularly those in wildlife microbiology and parasitology. This is a definitive measure of her excellence in the classroom and in the field.

As the director of the Applied DNA Sciences Center—Northeast Wildlife DNA Laboratory, Dr. Huffman models the active role of the scientist for all her research students.  The work done in the lab has been invaluable to local physicians, a number of state wildlife agencies, and pharmaceutical and bio-tech companies

A prolific scholar, Dr. Huffman has edited the book, Wildlife Diseases, published over 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals, and written a laboratory manual, Microbiology. Since joining ESU’s faculty, Dr. Huffman has continued her own medical education, and this year she expects to complete a master’s degree in Public Health at ESU.

Dr. Miller is responsible for the establishment and institutionalization of the Office of Disability Services at ESU.  She came to the university as a part-time faculty member in 1987 as the learning skills coordinator in the department of academic enrichment and learning, when ESU had twenty-seven students with identifiable disabilities.  In 1990, after a national search, Dr. Miller became the full-time faculty director of disability services. Since then, under her leadership, the Office of Disability Services now serves nearly 400 undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities.  The significant increase in students reflects both a national trend and the growing reputation of ESU’s Office of Disability Services.

In addition to recommending accommodations for students with disabilities, Dr. Miller has been a tireless advocate for disabilities awareness at ESU.  She has spearheaded the development of three unique programs at ESU to foster the academic success and social development of students with disabilities.

Dr. Miller earned her bachelor of arts degree in English at Gettysburg College, a masters degree in education (reading) at ESU, and her doctorate in the psychology of reading from Temple University.  She teaches courses in reading, special education, and media communications at ESU.  She is an active scholar in disabilities education and assessment, with multiple publications, and presents frequently at national and international conferences.