UW-Whitewater faculty, student honored at national safety convention

November 20, 2008

Wayne Cole, Luis Ortiz and Sang Choi The best and brightest in safety education were recognized at the National Safety Council’s (NSC) conference this fall.  Members of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s safety program, including senior Luis Ortiz, Associate Professor Sang Choi and Lecturer Wayne Cole, came away from the conference with honors.

“The award-winning recognition of our faculty, graduate and undergraduate students presents the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as home of one of the nation’s prominent safety programs,” Alvaro Taveira, professor and chairperson of UW-Whitewater’s occupational and environmental safety and health department, said.

Luis Ortiz was named student ambassador at the conference, while also receiving a student poster award.

“It was a very competitive process to become a student ambassador,” Ortiz said.  “I had to write an essay explaining my career goals, the reasons I joined safety, and what I had to offer the safety profession.”

Once Ortiz received acceptance from the NSC, he attended lectures, focus groups and technical sessions at the convention. As a student ambassador, he networked with other students and professionals. “I would strongly recommend this program to any ambitious safety students that really want to excel in our profession,” he said.

Ortiz chose the topic, “The Effectiveness of Instructions and Warning Labels Provided to Consumers for Proper Installation of Child Safety Seats,” for his poster.

“This experience has helped me grow as a student and future professional while also showing me that safety is more than just policies and procedures,” he said.

For the second consecutive year, Sang Choi received a research award, which is selected annually from peer reviews and presented at the NSC’s annual meeting and exposition. Choi was recognized for the topic, “Promoting Workplace Safety in an Aging Construction Workforce.”

“The award means a lot to me,” Choi said. “It is my honor to be recognized by the National Safety Council’s research award for the second consecutive year.”

Wayne Cole was appointed a trustee of the NSC board. He currently serves on the board as a delegate.  With his appointment as trustee, he will serve double duty as a delegate and a trustee. 

“To be asked to accept a leadership position on the board, is basically being asked by your peers worldwide, and that is an honor to me,” Cole said.

For more information on UW-Whitewater’s safety program, contact Alvaro Taveira at 262-472-5427.