Josephine M. Umoren

Josephine M. Umoren might be one of the best-known of all the awardees, but not because she has set out to be. University policy requires that major committees include a member of an underrepresented group, and for many years Jo was one of the too-few minority faculty who could be called upon. She always graciously agreed to serve on numerous committees and on most major searches even though she was more than occupied with her teaching career and raising three sons as a single mother. When not serving on committees, Jo is a demanding faculty member in nutrition and dietetics; she is now coordinator of the program. Her colleagues comment on how welcoming and supportive she is and how, in her coordinator's role, she works to create consensus. In addition to everything else she finds time to do, Jo is a faculty mentor to middle school girls who tries to nurture their continued interest in science. Jo is an unassuming person who has made a major impact on her program and on the university because of the generous gift of her time.