{"id":6962,"date":"2012-05-03T11:52:58","date_gmt":"2012-05-03T17:52:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/?p=6962"},"modified":"2012-05-03T12:01:08","modified_gmt":"2012-05-03T18:01:08","slug":"chancellor-promises-surprises-and-delivers-at-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/?p=6962","title":{"rendered":"Chancellor promises surprises and delivers at ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>A \u201cStar Wars\u201d tribute, a human skull and Provost Peg Bacon at a loss for words were among surprises that greeted the audience at the 2012 UCCS Campus Awards Ceremony in Berger Hall.<\/p>\n

Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak promised surprises when she welcomed more than 150 guests to the festivities in Berger Hall. The audience laughed and applauded the unexpected delights at the May 2 event that recognized faculty, staff and students for outstanding contributions and service to the campus community.<\/p>\n

In honor of Bacon\u2019s upcoming retirement, Shockley-Zalabak introduced the Visual and Performing Arts Vocal Ensemble, who gave an a cappella offering of \u201cStar Wars\u201d dialogue, characters and references to the tune of the familiar \u201cStar Wars\u201d theme. Peg Bacon joined UCCS faculty in 1978, the same year the \u201cStar Wars\u201d phenomenon took off. While not many people made the connection, the audience cheered the group\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Michael Larson, associate vice chancellor, Research and Innovation, made the presentation for Faculty Award for Excellence in Research. Since award recipient Rebecca Laroche, professor, Department of English, made extensive investigation involving Shakespeare\u2019s \u201cHamlet,\u201d Larson made an \u201cAlas poor Yorick\u201d joke, complete with iconic skull.<\/p>\n

Although Bacon is known and highly respected for being prepared and speaking with great skill, she was clearly flustered when Shockley-Zalabak gave her the Special Chancellor\u2019s Award.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s easier to give awards than to receive them,\u201d she said, when she later presented the Outstanding Instructor Award to Janet Myers, senior instructor, Department of History.<\/p>\n

A reception with food, beverages and music followed the ceremony.<\/p>\n

A list of the awards and honorees follows<\/p>\n