ISU College of Education announces Celebrating Excellence recipients; reception set Nov. 6

The Idaho State University College of Education will host a Celebrating Excellence reception honoring three alumni on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Marshall Rotunda of the Stephens Performing Arts Center.

This year’s Pride of the College honorees are: Distinguished Leader, Shawnae Somsen; Outstanding Educator, Bev Crawford; and Bengal Partner, Will Fanning. They were nominated and selected by colleagues in the education community.

Shawnae Somsen received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Health Education from Idaho State University in 1997. Following graduation, she spent time teaching physical education and coaching volleyball and softball in Houston.

She returned to Idaho in 2002 as a physical education teacher at Soda Springs High School where she continues to teach today. Since 2006, Somsen has been granted nearly $30,000 for various projects to make her school and community a better place.

She was named the 2010 Northwest District Physical Education High School Teacher of the Year by the Northwest Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. She was named the 2009 Physical Education High School Teacher of the Year by Idaho Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

Bev Crawford, a native of Mackay, graduated from Idaho State University with a Bachelor of Science in parks and recreation management. Crawford later returned to ISU, commuting many days a week from Mackay, to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. Crawford completed a Master of Education degree in literacy from ISU and is a National Board Certified Teacher.

She began her teaching career at Mackay Elementary, where she has taught for the last 26 years. In addition to teaching second grade, Crawford also teaches a summer art program and is active in the 4-H youth horse program.

Will Fanning moved to Pocatello as a child. Fanning completed his higher education at Idaho State University, including an Associate of Arts degree in drafting, a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Training and Development, and a Master of Training and Development with an emphasis in Professional Technical Education Administration.

He entered the work force in 2000, and later opened his own steel detailing company in Pocatello.
In 2005, Fanning joined the College of Technology as a drafting instructor and in 2006 became the program coordinator for the newly designed Computer Aided Design Drafting Program. In 2008, he became the Technical Department Chair in the College of Technology. Fanning moved to the College of Western Idaho in 2011, where he serves as dean of Professional Technical Education.

Fanning is currently completing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership in the College of Education with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration. He will graduate in Spring 2014.

For information about the Celebrating Excellence reception or to RSVP, contact Cydney Pearce at pearcydn@isu.edu or (208) 282-5670.

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