Cooper Award lecture to explain "The Beauty of the Core"

Dr. Aimee Mark, associate professor of psychology, is the 2014-15 University of Southern Indiana H. Lee Cooper Core Curriculum Teaching Award winner and will present the Cooper Lecture on Wednesday, at 3:30 p.m. on March 18 in Forum I of the Wright Administration Building.

Her lecture titled "The Beauty of the Core (It's Not Just for Apples and Abs)" will focus on a discussion of the Core Curriculum and the benefits it brings. Mark plans to explain how Core Curriculum opens our minds to new perspectives. She says, "We're often drawn to what is familiar and comfortable, and engaging in diverse thought and perspectives encouraged by the Core is essential for an educated person in society."

Mark was nominated for the award for her teaching in Introduction to Psychology, in which she teaches about 250 students a year. She chose the topic of her lecture because the award is based on her excellence in teaching core courses. "I felt it best represents the spirit of the award and H. Lee Cooper's appreciation of the Core," she said.

Mark joined USI in 2007 as assistant professor of psychology immediately after graduate school at the University of Kentucky, where she earned a PhD is in experimental psychology. Her bachelor's degree is from St. Louis University.

The Cooper award is named in honor of H. Lee Cooper, a long-time friend and supporter of USI. The award was officially presented at the Fall Faculty and Administrative Staff Meeting in August. It includes a generous stipend, a plaque and additional monies for travel and related faculty development.