RADFORD – The College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences recently recognized two of its professors for outstanding dedication and service to students, the university and community.

Psychology professor Niels Christensen received the college’s 2009 Distinguished Scholarship Award, and sociology professor Jeanne Mekolichick received the 2009 Distinguished Teaching Award.

Christensen (right) recently has received significant funding from the National Institute of Mental Health for his work on social anxiety, and has involved a number of students in his research over the past several years. The work has resulted in publications and presentations, often with student coauthors.

“Dr. Christensen has established a reputation as a dedicated and productive scholar, who not only makes strong research contributions, but also carefully mentors students in the research process,” CHBS Dean Brian Conniff said.

Sociology Chair Paula Brush praised Mekolichick (right) as the “undisputed leader” of the department’s new applied sociology program. Applied sociology is the practical application of research methods to produce knowledge useful to organizations and communities in their efforts to build programs, make decisions and solve problems. “Dr. Mekolichick’s courses, internships and many student-faculty-community collaborative research projects are centerpieces of our applied curriculum,” Brush said.

In the past year, Mekolichick and her students have written grants, constructed and administered surveys, assessed programs, produced reports and given professional presentations to a variety of clients, including the Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Virginia.