C.E. “Tapie” Rohm, who has taught at Cal State San Bernardino for nearly 30 years and is a founding faculty member of the university’s information and decision sciences department, has been named CSUSB’s Outstanding Professor for 2009-2010. University President Albert Karnig made the announcement Wednesday, March 10, during an “ambush” of Rohm’s information management class. Karnig was accompanied by previous recipients of the award, colleagues and administration officials to praise the veteran educator.

Rohm watched quietly as Karnig spoke.

“This is unexpected and I’m appreciative of the things we’ve been doing. We’ve just had a great run,” Rohm said. “It’s fun to see all the past recipients of the award. I’ve long been a great admirer of them for the things they have done, so it’s a great pleasure to see them. Thank you so much.”

Rohm, who lives in San Bernardino, was chosen because of “his excellent teaching and extensive curriculum development, his superb record of professional accomplishments, and his extraordinary record of service activities,” wrote Janet Kotke, chair of the 2009-2010 Outstanding Professor Selection Committee, in a letter of recommendation.

“Dr. Rohm’s service to CSUSB, to the local community, and beyond, is nothing short of amazing,” wrote Kotke, who was named the university’s Outstanding Professor for 2008-2009.

Initially, Rohm taught at Cal State San Bernardino for two years as an assistant professor of business administration before accepting a teaching position at Whittier College in 1981. He rejoined the university in 1983.

Over the years, Rohm has taught 31 different undergraduate courses and 16 different graduate courses. He created 18 undergraduate courses and seven graduate courses; he pioneered electronic technology in the classroom and acquired a grant to build a predecessor to the current electronic classrooms on campus in Jack Brown Hall; secured a grant for the startup of an internship office housed within CSUSB’s Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship, supervised more than 600 independent study students; and mentored the startup and continuation of three student clubs. One of these clubs, the Information Management Association, has been active for 20 years.

Rohm’s work with students is also exceptional, according to student comments. “Not only does the professor teach the subject material, he inspires us with his insight and his valued world experience, which will give us all a better perspective of the job market, job climate and world situation,” wrote one student.

Another wrote: “He touched my heart many times in class, with his expressions of kindness towards both my fellow international students and myself, and more than once I can remember tears of gratitude welling up in my eyes for this man being in my life teaching me more than just databases, systems, and building Internet Web sites, but also about the intangible matters of the human heart and spirit.”

Professionally, Rohm has published 27 journal articles, 17 proceedings articles, five book chapters; served as editor-in-chief for three information journals, all of which were international in scope; delivered 11 invited or keynote conference presentations; and presented 30 conference papers, including a co-authored “Best Paper” to the American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences.

He has also a superlative record of service to Cal State San Bernardino, serving on more than 30 committees, councils and groups ranging from the administrative council to chair of the Faculty Senate.

A graduate of Orange High School in Orange, Rohm has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in communication from Brigham Young University. He earned a Ph.D. in communication management psychology from Ohio University.

Rohm will be honored by San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris at the 16^th annual Mayor’s Golden Apple Awards dinner on April 14 at the San Bernardino Hilton Hotel, along with 11 other teachers and staff members from Cal State San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College and the San Bernardino City Unified School District.