Monday, February 09, 2009
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Posted by: Rob Pasquinucci
Faculty/staff strongest influence award Giles Hertz
The 2008 award for strongest influence goes to Giles Hertz, a professor in NKU’s 5/3 Entrepreneurship Institute. Professor Hertz was nominated based on student recommendations, some of which are below:
“Professor Hertz has thus far been the best teacher I have had at NKU. His knowledge and ability to relate theory to real life is unsurpassed and his guidance has been what has helped me to stay motivated to finish my degree.”
“Professor Hertz is a professor who provides practical wisdom/advice/knowledge to every student in every one of his classes.”
Professor Hertz is a 1983 graduate of the University of Kentucky (B.A., Political Science) and a 1989 Graduate of the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University (J.D.). Prior to joining the faculty at NKU, Professor Hertz maintained a general civil practice as a partner in the Florence, Kentucky law firm of Monohan, Hertz & Blankenship, then later as an associate with the Cincinnati law firm of Finney, Stagnaro, Saba & Klusmeier. He is licensed to practice law in Kentucky and Ohio.
Professor Hertz began teaching at NKU as a part-time faculty member in January 2000. He was hired as a full-time Lecturer of Entrepreneurship in the fall of 2001 and was promoted to Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship in 2004. A 2003 winner of the Dean’s Citation for Outstanding Teaching, Professor Hertz has taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Professor Hertz also serves as the faculty sponsor for NKU’s chapter of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO). Professor Hertz has served on the Entrepreneurship Institute’s Advisory Board since its inception and has chaired several of its committees. In addition to his work with the Entrepreneurship Institute, Professor Hertz has served on the NKU Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Center’s Board of Advisors since its inception in 2006.
Professor Hertz’ research interests include new venture financing, entrepreneurship education, legal issues associated with the new venture process and risk mitigation in higher education. In 2004 Professor Hertz and his co-authors received a Distinguished Research Award for their article, Applying the Stewards of Place Model: Integrating Research Teaching and Service Through Entrepreneurship Education, which appeared in the Journal of Entrepreneurship Education. Distinguished Service Jim Cutter. ’81
Jim Cutter is being honored for being a business leader who continually gives back to his community. Cutter and his team at Cutter Custom Homes build several elaborate homes each year, making use of various styles and custom designs to create their customers’ dream homes. He has won several awards including the 2003 Builder of the Year Award, the 2003 and 2004 President’s Award in New Home Design, the 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award, and over 30 Judge’s Awards at Northern Kentucky’s CiTiFEST. Much of his company’s success can be attributed to their motto: “Striving to exceed our customers’ expectations.” Jim graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in construction management. He was drawn to NKU because he was offered a baseball scholarship, but he fell in love with it because of the excited faculty and staff and the personal attention he and his classmates received. He combines his love for sports with supporting the community by sponsoring or coaching several youth sports seams over the years. He also built and donated the press box and batting cages for the NKU Baseball team. Jim is a dedicated supporter of the Campbell Lodge Boys Home, serving on the board in various roles. Jim will be featured in an upcoming book about NKU’s entrepreneurs, and he offers advice for future entrepreneurs to strive to be the best every day. Don’t be afraid to try new things and welcome change.” He adds that, “you should challenge yourself every day to improve yourself.” Cutter lives by his own advice, always searching for a way to make a home and his community more comfortable and inviting.
Outstanding Young Alumna Nicole Knasel, ’99
Nicole Knasel’s ability to successfully establish and run a business while continuing to give back to the community and the university has earned her the Outstanding Young Alumna Award for 2008. Nicole is president of ProForma/N&M Communications, a printing and promotional products company she owns and serves as president of sales. She’s grown the company during the past two years, netting sales of more than $250,000 a year. Nicole is a member of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and served on the organization’s board of directors for a one-year term in 2005. She was President of the Bluegrass Chapter of BNI (Business Networking International) in 2005 and has been an active member of the chapter since 2004. She was committee chair of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Annual dinner for a 2-year term 2006 and 2007 where she worked in conjunction with the Chamber staff to put on the largest event the Chamber holds each year -- a dinner and networking event for over 1200 chamber members. She also has served NKU as chair of the NKU Young Alumni Golf Outing event from 2004-present. “In each and every role, Nicole exudes professionalism, enthusiasm and a dedicated sense of community…particularly when it comes to the “NKU Community.” Nicole has a strong sense of self and is proud of who she is: a friend, wife and mother; successful business owner; a product of Northern Kentucky University,” Jessica Martini-Johnston ’99 wrote in her nomination letter. At home, two sons keeps Nicole and her husband, Jason, busy.
Outstaning Alumnus NKU Chase College of Law Joseph W. Shea, ’74
Joseph Shea is a highly-regarded legal practitioner and is well-known throughout the Kentucky and Ohio legal communities. He served the Ohio Supreme Court as its chief bar examiner, was elected as the youngest president ever of the Ohio Justice Association, and is widely-used nationally as a bar examiner in the field of Civil Litigation. He has authored several books including an annual publication of his widely-used courtroom evidence manual. He is the principal in the Cincinnati-based law firm Shea and Associates. Joseph’s peers have voted him as one of the top 100 lawyers in Ohio or top 50 in Cincinnati annually since 2004. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and Society of International Barristers. He holds various record verdicts and outcomes. He received the 2008 Ohio State Bar Association’s (OSBA) Ritter Award, its highest commendation, given annually to the Ohio attorney who has obtained the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and ethics in the practice of law. But, Joseph also believes in giving back. Years ago, he became concerned that smaller firms could not afford access to powerful online legal research sites. Using his own resources, he pioneered the idea of providing online legal research resources directly through state bar associations. In the late ‘90’s, he partnered with the OSBA to offer its members access to the online libraries as a “free” as a membership benefit. It was an immediate success. Casemaker libraries have saved attorneys and their clients millions of dollars. The Casemaker libraries now include rules, codes, case and statutory law for all 50 states and the Federal system. Casemaker currently contains over 13 million legal documents. More than 400,000 lawyers have access to Casemaker, including Kentucky & Ohio attorneys. In the past year, over 300 million documents have been retrieved, thereby saving millions of dollars in the cost of the administration of justice.
Outstanding Alumnus College of Arts & Sciences John M. Lucas ’72 , ’79 (JD)
John Lucas is being honored for his dedication to NKU and his career successes.
Last spring, Lucas was elected second vice president, counsel and assistant secretary of Union Central Life Insurance in Cincinnati. John has been with Union Central since 1988, providing legal counsel in the areas of corporate law, insurance law and claims and litigation.
John gives back to NKU, serving on the Alumni Council (including a term as president), and as the chairman of the Alumni Lecture Series Committee. He also serves on the board of the NKU Foundation. Lucas teaches at NKU as an adjunct history professor and his students consistently give him high marks for his teaching in course evaluations. He also serves his church (Trinity Episcopal) and has volunteered as a youth basketball coach.
History Department Chair Jeffery Williams describes John as a “perfect example of the successful NKU graduate who keeps giving back to the institutions that have supported him.” Former Alumni Council President Diane Sticklein-Jordan says Lucas’ “refreshing congeniality and care for the University” make him a worthy recipient of the award.
John and his wife, Bonnie, have three children, one of whom is an NKU graduate.
Outstanding Alumnus College of Business Barry G. Kienzle, ’73
Barry G. Kienzle’s success in business and his ongoing support of his community have earned him the outstanding alumnus award for the College of Business. Barry serves as chief financial officer for Paul Hemmer Companies, with responsibilities for treasury and company administration. He has also served as president of the Cincinnati chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association. He serves on the board of directors of the Bank of Kentucky and is chairman of the bank’s audit committee. He was twice named one of the region’s top CFO’s by the Cincinnati Business Courier. Barry gives back through his involvement with Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity, where he has served as treasurer and director and has served as president of the Summit Country Club. He also gives back to NKU by serving on the board of the NKU Foundation. Barry and his wife, Mary Jo, have two daughters and two granddaughters. Both of his daughters and both of his sons-in-law graduated from NKU.
Outstanding Alumnus College of Education and Human Services Amy M. Razor ’91, ’97
Amy Razor has always strived to focus on both her own continued professional development and the professional development of other educators. She received her National Board Certification for Teaching in 1999 and recertified in 2008. She graduated from the Kentucky Leadership Academy in 2002. In recognition of her outstanding classroom work, she was honored with the 1999 Governor’s Scholar Outstanding Educator Award, 2000 Northern Kentucky Ashland Award and named the 2005 the Rotary Club Teacher of the Year. She has led professional development training throughout the region on literacy and differentiation, was featured in the KET video series on literacy, and has been featured as a presenter at the International Reading Association, KDE Gap Institutes, and for the writing project directors. She currently serves as chairperson of the CCS Evaluation Appeals committee and the Kentucky Association of School Administrators Governance committee. In her free time, she works with other educators and non-profits helping train teachers at bi-lingual schools in Latin America. In 2006, she traveled to Honduras to personally work with this cause, and will travel there again this summer.
Amy has kept close ties to NKU throughout her career. She has served as a part-time instructor in the graduate program, teaching classes in literacy. She worked with Dr. Lynne Smith, in collaboration with NKU, to lead a mentoring group for National Board teaching candidates on campus. This effort provided support to over 200 candidates who were pursuing their certification. Currently, she is consulting with Kevin Besnoy, NKU Practicum Supervisor, in the updating and revamping of the practicum process.
Amy Razor is one of the rare individuals lucky enough to pursue her vocational passion in her own backyard. A life-long resident of Campbell County, Amy completed all of her post-secondary studies at NKU including a BA in Education (91), Masters in Education (97), and Administrative Certification (2005). She has utilized the foundation provided by Northern in contribution to her community over the last 17 years as a classroom teacher, Instructional Resource Specialist, and currently as Principal of Grant’s Lick Elementary. She resides in southern Campbell County with her husband, Dan (NKU ’92) and daughter, Madison.
Outstanding Alumnus College of Informatics Nicholas T. Kaufman, ’85
The outstanding alumnus for the College of Informatics this year is Nicholas Kaufman, who is being honored for his achievements with the Kroger Corporation, where he’s been employed since 1985.
Throughout his career at Kroger, Nick has held a variety of technical and management positions with increasing responsibilities within the information systems department. His areas of expertise include supply chain management, merchandising, retail operations and manufacturing.
Recently he was promoted to vice president of store Solutions & services. This includes responsibility for the systems running within Kroger’s 2,500 supermarkets, 900 fuel centers and 390 fine jewelry stores.
Nick joined the NKU Dean’s Advisory Board for the College of Informatics and also became involved with NKU’s Infrastructure Management Institute. Nick is a volunteer at Mercy Franciscan at St. John and is also involved in a variety of organizations within his church, St. Ignatius. Nick is co-chairing the 2009 Fine Arts Fund campaign for The Kroger Co.
Nick and his wife Kathy were married in October, 1986. Kathy is also an NKU graduate and received her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1986 and currently works for Procter & Gamble. Nick and Kathy reside in Cincinnati and have two sons. Kenny is an engineering major at The Ohio State University and Brian is a senior at LaSalle High School.
Outstanding Alumnae School of Nursing and Health Professions Debbie Dempsey ’91 (RN)
Dedicated alumnae and NKU faculty member Debbie Dempsey is being honored for her commitment to excellence in the field of nursing. Debbie has spent the majority of her career at NKU working to share her knowledge of the field with others.
In 2003, Debbie was the first recipient of the Michael and Susan Adams Outstanding Non-Tenure Track Faculty Member Award. Debbie was named to the Who’s Who list of American Teachers four times and was awarded faculty member of the month.
Debbie has presented papers at several conferences and has co-authored several editions of the textbook Laboratory Manual of Human Anatomy and Physiology.
Debbie is married to Dr. Jerry Dempsey, who is in family practice in Cold Spring. The couple has two children, both of whom are in the medical profession. Dr. Jennifer Rebecca Martin, married to Dr. Jason Martin, and Jerrod Robert Dempsey, graduating from dental school and beginning orthodontics training at UK in June; married to Melissa Victores Dempsey.
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