MacArthur Fellow Receives Comenius Alumni Award at 2004 Award Ceremony

Each year, more than half a million health-care workers in the United States alone are stuck by conta minated needles and other medical instruments, resulting in psychological trauma as well as physical injuries. In landmark research, Janine Jagger '72 has proved that the risk of injury and infection was related to specific design features. For her pioneering work in this field, she received the Comenius Alumni Award.

The 2004 Alumni Association Award ceremony was held October 15 in Peter Hall.

In 1985, Janine Jagger and her associates designed some of the first needlestick protective devices recorded by the U.S. Patent Office. In the early 1990's, she developed the Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet), a database that now draws information from 1,500 hospitals around the world.

Janine holds an M.P.H. from the University of Pittsburgh and a Ph.D. in epidemiology from the University of Virginia, where she is founder and co-director of the International Health- Care Worker Safety Center at the School of Medicine. Since 1996, she has been Becton Dickinson Professor of Health Care Worker Safety (a chair endowed by the largest needle company in the world). In recognition of her work, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation named Dr. Jagger one of 24 MacArthur Fellows for 2002. Her honors include the Intellectual Property Owners' Distinguished Inventor Award and citations from other associations of medical personnel. In 2000, when Congress passed the Needlestick Safety and Protection Act, she was invited to the White House for the signing of the bill into law by President Clinton.

William Jens Scott '94 received the Young Alumni Achievement Award for his cutting- edge work in computer graphics. He was exploring this alliance of art and technology while still an undergraduate at Moravian. He has been a 3-D graphic artist, animator, and production developer for children's videos, movies, and television, including the Disney Channel's Book of Pooh.

For exemplary service to Moravian College, Robert Thear '98 was honored with the Emerging Leader Award. Bob is as busy an alum as he was an undergraduate. An internal auditor for Guardian Life in Bethlehem, Bob speaks to students about careers in accounting at events such as the Career Networking Reception. After a stellar athletic career in college, Bob is a staunch supporter of Moravian athletics and can often be seen on the sidelines of cross-country meets. As if that weren't enough, he's also a marathon runner.

The Benigna Education Award, recognizing an outstanding contribution to the field of education, went to Thomas H. Evans '68. Tom's 35-year career in secondary education began as a high school biology teacher in Delaware and finished as superintendent of Schools for the Easton Area School District. He helped develop and implement the district's technology initiative and saw Easton Area High School become one of the top 50 schools in the nation for music. He also oversaw a $34 million construction and renovation project of the entire school. Now retired, Tom is an adjunct professor of education at Moravian, where he offers a course in teaching environmental science.

Carol Vogler '80, '86 received the Haupert Humanitarian Award, which honors outstanding service in the cause of human welfare. After her studies at the College and at Moravian Theological Seminary, she earned a Master of Theological Studies at Boston University and a doctorate in human ecology at the University of Alberta, where her dissertation, The Experience of Hope among Women with HIV/AIDS, reflects an ongoing commitment to women, children, and families affected by this worldwide epidemic. A resident of Edmonton in Alberta, Carol has expanded her work to focus on Canada's native peoples. She also has begun to lay the groundwork for a partnership with an HIV/AIDS orphanage in South Africa.

Carol plays a significant leadership role in the Moravian Church of the United States and Canada, and she serves on the board of Moravian Theological Seminary. "If true achievement can be measured by the good we do for others, she can claim complete success in her work, her life, and her scholarship," said her award citation.