UNIVERSITY PARK | The Governors State University Foundation this year distributed more than $27,000 to faculty members and their projects to enable them to present at conferences, further their research, and access continuing education opportunities.

"Just as our students need to learn and develop, so do our faculty," said Joan Vaughan, vice president of Institutional Advancement and chief executive officer of the Governors State University Foundation. "Faculty Development Awards fund the continued search for knowledge and the advancement of ideas."

The Foundation funded 23 faculty projects that ranged from research projects for designing cell phone learning modules to presentations that looked at disparities in access to hospitals with high technology services, social work education, and elementary reading skills.

Additional faculty training was received for technology in the classroom and in developing effective science programs.

"The GSU Foundation is able to support faculty development because our generous donors support this program," Vaughan said. "Contributions to the Foundations enable GSU professors to continue their educations while they educate our students."