Last modified: Monday, January 7, 2013
IU expert on aging honored by Association for Gerontology in Higher Education
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 7, 2013
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Lesa Huber, clinical assistant professor in the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, has been selected to receive the Hiram J. Friedsam Mentorship Award by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education.
Huber, an expert on the biological, psychological and social determinants of aging well, will receive the award during the association's annual meeting in February.
The mentorship award was created to recognize those who emulate Hiram J. Friedsam's excellence in mentorship. Friedsam was a professor, co-founder and director of the Center for Studies in Aging at the University of North Texas, one of the first gerontology programs in the U.S. Huber was selected for this award based on nomination letters from current and former students who wrote about the impact of Huber's mentoring on their academic and personal achievements.
Huber, working with students, is exploring the potential of new technologies to support independent living in later life. Recent research projects include National Science Foundation-funded projects that investigate privacy issues involved with home-based computer technology and ways to keep seniors safe online. She also has received Association for Gerontology in Higher Education and U.S. Department of Education funding to develop, implement and evaluate online gerontology curriculum. She has developed and is the director of two minors and a graduate certificate in gerontology. At IU, where she has received several teaching awards, she has developed seven online courses to educate the aging services workforce as well as current students. Her service work includes chair and elected positions at local, state and national levels.
Friedsam, who was also dean of the School of Community Service at the University of North Texas, was considered an outstanding teacher, researcher, colleague and mentor to students, faculty and administrators, according to the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education.
