2006.04.23: April 23, 2006: Headlines: COS - Guatemala: Awards: Lee Northwest: Guatemala RPCV Barb Gartner honored by the OSU Women’s Center
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2006.04.23: April 23, 2006: Headlines: COS - Guatemala: Awards: Lee Northwest: Guatemala RPCV Barb Gartner honored by the OSU Women’s Center
Guatemala RPCV Barb Gartner honored by the OSU Women’s Center
She was nominated for her commitment to excellence in teaching and inspiring female students to excel in a male-dominated field. Gartner’s research in wood quality and tree physiology is internationally recognized, and she works to support, encourage and be a role model for women in her disciplines, and the broader community of women in sciences.
Guatemala RPCV Barb Gartner honored by the OSU Women’s Center
Professor an inspiration for many
By REBECCA BARRETT
Gazette-Times reporter
Caption: Barb Gartner, a professor in the wood science and engineering department at OSU, sits in a tree in her yard, all smiles after being recognized as a recipient of a 2006 OSU Women of Achievement award. Photo: CASEY CAMPBELL/Gazette-Times
Women of Achievement
This week, the Gazette-Times will recognize the five Women of Achievement being honored by the OSU Women’s Center. They will be honored at a reception from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday in the campus Women’s Center, 1700 S.W. Pioneer Place.
Coming later this week are profiles on Paula Krane, Lisa Ede, Diane Crocker and Donna Champeau.
When Barb Gartner was a little girl, her father, a research scientist, used to tell her about the questions he was trying to answer as he tucked her into bed at night.
She recalls how her mom, a nurse, used to comfort patients by softening the harshness of medical treatment with kind expressions.
“My dad is wise and my mom is good,” she said as she reflected on two of her greatest influences.
Gartner, a professor in the wood science and engineering department at Oregon State University’s College of Forestry and mother of two, is described by those who know her as both wise and good.
Following a distinguished career that includes being name a Fulbright Scholar last year, Gartner is being recognized by colleagues and students as the recipient of the 2006 OSU Women of Achievement award.
“The honor of being recognized for this is better than getting tenure,” Gartner said.
She was nominated for her commitment to excellence in teaching and inspiring female students to excel in a male-dominated field. Gartner’s research in wood quality and tree physiology is internationally recognized, and she works to support, encourage and be a role model for women in her disciplines, and the broader community of women in sciences.
Bonnie Johnson, a technician in the wood sciences department, said Gartner is the only professor who invites her to look under the microscope when she’s discovered something.
“No one else bothers to do that,” Johnson said.
Students often tell Johnson that Gartner is the best teacher they’ve ever had.
When she came to OSU in 1998, Gartner was the only woman in the wood sciences and engineering department. Though she had 15 years of professional experience, she said there were some people who questioned whether she belonged. But Gartner was not deterred and her presence has made a difference, colleagues said.
“I think women try to build community. We encourage teamwork and to value people’s strengths and differences,” Gartner said.
Gartner’s dedication to her students is unique. She often reaches out to students who’ve experienced a personal tragedy, and keeps in touch with students when they leave.
Of her students, she expects them to share her excitement about science.
“My job is to give people confidence. They have the tools to learn,” she said.
Heidi Renninger, a doctoral student at Boston University, had Gartner for a major professor when she was pursuing her master’s degree at OSU.
“She is a wonderful mentor and role model for women who are aspiring to careers in research and academics,” Renninger said. “She also sets a great example for being able to juggle family and career by continuing to raise two children while being a successful researcher and professor.”
Balancing a career with being a parent has been difficult, Gartner said. But she received good advice that she passes along to other working women with children.
“Don’t worry about how much you spend on child care, or having someone make dinner, do the dishes or laundry,” she said. “Find someone to help.”
Gartner also offered this advice: don’t overlook anyone. She’s received so much support from people she’s worked with, including photocopy center employees and janitors. Stop to point out a well-waxed floor, she said.
Being a role model is a two-way thing, Gartner says: “I’ve very happy to be in a place where people give so much to me.”
Barb Gartner
AGE: 49
RESIDENCE: Corvallis
OCCUPATION: Professor in the department of wood science and engineering, OSU College of Forestry
EDUCATIONAL/PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College, master’s degree from University of Alaska Fairbanks, doctorate from Stanford, post-doctorate from Berkeley. She volunteered with the Peace Corps in Guatemala. After finishing her master’s degree, she worked as a re-vegetation specialist in Alaska on the trans-Alaska gas pipeline and for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in cold regions biology.
FAMILY: Husband, Kevin Gartner, and children, Nate, 15 and Elena, 14
INTERESTS: Gardening, hiking and reading
When this story was posted in May 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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Story Source: Lee Northwest
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Guatemala; Awards
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