PULLMAN, Wash. — Three WSU faculty members will be honored for excellence in
instruction, public service, and research, scholarship and arts during WSU Commencement May
8 at Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum.
The 1998-99 Sahlin Faculty Excellence Awards have been given to Denny Davis, professor,
Biological Systems Engineering, for instruction; Michael Griswold, professor, Biochemistry and
Biophysics, for research, scholarship and arts; and Charles T. Gaskins, associate professor,
Animal Sciences and Program in Statistics, for public service.
Davis’ leadership in developing and implementing an outcomes-based engineering design
education has led to reforms in engineering curricula across the United States. The National
Science Foundation-funded Transferable Integrated Design Engineering Education Project that
Davis developed with colleagues has resulted in numerous publications, invited workshops and
presentations. He has received many awards, including the Pacific Northwest Agricultural
Engineer of the Year award.
Griswold is recognized as one of the leading authorities in the study of male reproductive
biology. His laboratory made a number of outstanding contributions that defined the role of the
Sertoli cell in sperm cell development. He has received a MERIT award from the National
Institutes of Health and serves as president of the Society for the Study of Reproduction.
Griswold was selected to give the keynote address at the 1999 Gordon Research Conference.
Gaskins was a pioneer in developing a computerized genetic evaluation tool that has broad
impact in assisting U.S. cattle producers in making the best breeding decisions for their herds.
His Expected Progeny Difference Program for the Wagyu breed has made WSU a world leader in
evaluating carcass quality for that breed. He is a longtime adviser to the WSU Block and Bridle
Club and leader with the regional Boy Scouts of America.
Recipients of the Sahlin honor receive a plaque and a $2,500 cash award. The award is
named in honor of WSU graduates Lee and Jody Sahlin of Spokane, who endowed the program.
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