Pomology professor Adel Kader, center, introduces his daughter, Soad, to economics professor Peter Lindert at a ceremony held last week to, in part, honor Kader and School of Education professor Karen Watson-Gegeo for their extraordinary mentoring efforts. The reception honored the two recipients of the newly-established Distinguished Graduate Mentoring Award as well as four recipients of the Academic Senate's Distinguished Teaching Award -- James Shackelford, James McClain, Susan Tucker and Chris Calvert. Kader and Watson-Gegeo (who could not attend Thursday's event) were recognized for their respectful, insightful and selfless dealings with graduate students. "Adel has invested the time and effort needed to foster an environment in which students are able to develop their full intellectual capacity and critical thinking, while assuring that they become professionals with the highest ethical standards," nominators wrote. Similarly, one of Watson-Gegeo's many grateful nominators credited the professor for keeping her in school. "(She) alone stepped forward and encouraged me to stay. I am indebted to her for helping me mature as a scholar and develop the confidence to delve into new waters." For details about the Distinguished Teaching Award recipients, see the June 13, 2003, issue of Dateline online.