Former Southside grad receives faculty honor at Idaho State

Lawrence Beaty, son of Doris and Hilton Beaty, long-time Fort Smith area teachers, has received Idaho State University’s Distinguished Service Award for 2014. Beaty, a graduate of Southside High School, was one of three university faculty members recognized at the May 10 commencement ceremonies at Idaho State University’s Pocatello campus.

Two other faculty members were also recognized—one for teaching and the other for research.

“These three awards are the highest honors bestowed on faculty at Idaho State University and it is a distinction to receive one,” Laura Woodworth-Ney, ISU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, said in a statement. “The honorees are among our most accomplished faculty, and we are proud to recognize them.”

Beaty is a faculty member, chair and executive director of the Idaho State University Energy Systems Technology and Education Center. Beaty joined the ISU faculty in 2004 following a career in national and international power generation management, and Naval Nuclear Power.

“His service extends to many activities with Idaho’s K-12 schools where he has been instrumental in Idaho’s professional development program for K-12 teachers. He has conducted workshops and school visits to aid primary and secondary teachers across the state in developing STEM education programs,” Woodworth-Ney said. “Beaty has worked to create summer activities for secondary students and bring technical and academic competitions to Idaho K-12 students. His activities have brought energy conservation, efficiency and renewable energy awareness to students in Idaho. He works with the Idaho National Laboratory to support energy education.”

In a letter of support received from the Idaho Department of Labor, Beaty was commended for his statewide efforts to retrain the long-term unemployed by helping Idaho workers upgrade their skills and knowledge to create a more competitive workforce.

Beaty has conducted workshops and summer events for Native American youth (in the U.S. and Canada) to explore education pathways and has worked with other universities and colleges in Idaho and the Greater Pacific Northwest to develop economically and environmentally sustainable energy systems.

In addition, he has provided support to the Idaho Wind Working Group, the Idaho Solar Energy Working Group, the Idaho Technology Council, and Harvesting Clean Energy (a program of The National Center for Appropriate Technology).