Fiona Dixon, Gleaner Online Writer

Jamaican-born Jonathan Earle, associate dean of student affairs at the University of Florida College of Engineering, has received the Presidential Award for excellence in science, mathematics and engineer mentoring.

Earle was among 10 individuals and one organisation, which received the award in a White House ceremony on November 16. The presentation was made by United States President George W. Bush in the Oval Office.

Humbled by award

The award is aimed at recognising educational leaders or programmes that have demonstrated outstanding achievement in mentoring minority, female or disabled students who are traditionally under-represented in science, mathematics or engineering.

"I was humbled by it because I didn't do this work for the award; I was just thinking about how to make my students successful," Earle says. "For me, the award is really a way of saying, 'You made your students successful.'.

The organisation, Ecological Society of America, received grants of $10,000 and a presidential commemorative certificate. The National Science Foundation administers the award.

Head dean pleased

"I am extremely pleased that this presidential award is recognising Dr. Jonathan Earle for excellence in science, mathematics and engineering mentoring. He has done absolutely wonderful work in the area of mentoring of minority students," says College of Engineering Dean Pramod Khargonekar.

Earle, a 20-year veteran, earned both his master's and doctoral degrees at The University of Florida.

He began his career as an associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering. In 1992, he joined the dean's office and quickly began focusing on improving the performance of all engineering students.

In 1994, under Earle's direction, the college created the Successful Transition Through Enhanced Preparation for Undergraduate Programme, or STEPUP programme.

The programme seeks to give admitted minority students extra assistance with, in Earle's words, "college survival skills,' including study habits, study skills and extra preparation and assistance with common engineering assignments such as working in teams.

Today, at least 60 per cent of the annual class of roughly 40-50 STEPUP students graduate, while 52 per cent of the general population graduates, Earle discloses. The programme has raised the level of all engineering students.

Other activities, awards

Earle is a proposal reviewer for the National Science Foundation, a member of the 2006-10 national executive council of Tau Beta Pi, the Engineering Honour Society, and the UF engineering faculty consultant for the science, engineering, commu-nication, mathematics enhancement pro gramme.

His other awards include the Wolfson Faculty Award for Outstanding Service to Students at the University of Florida, the SECME Global Vision Award and the Faculty of the Year Award. He is the current president of the Kiwanis Club of Gainesville.

"Earle plans to retire at the end of the year," says Khargonekar. "Dr. Earle's positive impact on our students will be felt for a long time."