2008 AMS Awards Banquet held at Hopkins Park

On Friday, May 2nd, about 45 students, faculty, and friends gathered at the City of DeKalb’s Hopkins Park to celebrate the end of NIU's 2007-08 academic year. Hamburgers and hot dogs were grilled by Dr. Ashley and a massive game of Frisbee ensued despite the threat of chaseable storms nearby. Thanks to all who attended – it was fun to gather one last time before graduation!

Hopkins Park shelter (background) and a small part of the large Frisbee circle (foreground).

Dr. Song deriving vorticity using a Frisbee instead of a dry-erase marker.

Annual Awards:
During the cookout, several of our AMS members were awarded with honors. Congratulations to all who were honored, including:

Victor Gensini for the Liberals Arts and Sciences Dean’s Award in Meteorology and Nancy Wick Award for Outstanding Achievement as a Senior in Meteorology;

Monika Bec for the Liberals Arts and Sciences Dean’s Award in Geography;

Cara Schultz for the Illinois Geographical Society’s Outstanding Senior Award;

Rachel Dearing and Becky Belobraydich for the Jack Villmow Award for Outstanding Achievement as Juniors in Meteorology; and

Alan Black, who won the Department of Geography’s Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award.

This year’s awardees, including (L-to-R): Victor Gensini, Monika Bec, Cara Schultz, and Becky Belobraydich [not pictured, Rachel Dearing and Alan Black]. Congratulations!

Finally, the NIU Meteorology faculty would like to thank the NIU-NWS Cooperative Observers who diligently took weather observations every morning at 7 am for the past 365 days. Their efforts are not only appreciated by the faculty, but by all of those who utilize these important records in their climate analyses -- from Gilbert Sebenste at NIU to the climate modelers examining global warming at NCAR. First, and foremost, we thank Simona Olson who performed admirably as the Coop's Weather Director this year. She was assisted by the following students: Becky Belobraydich, David Keith, Bethany Norris, Jenni Prell, Erik Janzon, Mackenzie Petrik, Chuck Richie, and Hiro Ito. Again, thank you.