Professors

Jaysen Gillespie wants to turn things around on professors. We all know that professors grade students. He wants students to evaluate professors, and not just in quiet conversations or on private report cards. Gillespie's Irvine-based Studentinfo.org (http://www.studentinfo.org) takes student opinions public by posting their critiques of professors and other college instructors on the Internet.

Prosecutors cleared the way for the release today of court records that could provide more information about the slayings of two Dartmouth College professors. Authorities have released few details about the killings of Half and Susanne Zantop, and have fought media attempts to get judges to release information about the teens charged in the deaths, their possible motives and other evidence. Robert Tulloch, 17, and James Parker, 16, both of Chelsea, Vt.

One of the two teenage suspects in the stabbing deaths of two Dartmouth College professors was arraigned Wednesday on first-degree murder charges and ordered held without bail. The other remained in Indiana, where he may fight extradition. Robert Tulloch, 17, said "yes" when a judge asked if he understood the charges against him. He shook his head no when the judge asked if he had any questions. Under New Hampshire law, there is no plea at the arraignment.

Cal State Fullerton professors Robert A. Voeks and Michael C. Steiner have received Fulbright Awards. The professors are among 700 faculty members and professionals nationwide who were selected to teach and research in 130 countries. Since 1940, more than 30,000 American scholars have lectured and conducted research around the globe as Fulbright scholars. Voeks, of Fullerton, teaches geography. As a Fulbright scholar, he will be going to Brazil and the Amazon in 1999.

Mathematics professor John Smith has been awarded the highest honor given to Rancho Santiago College teachers by their colleagues: the annual "Distinguished Faculty Member" commendation. As part of his honor, Smith will deliver a public address that will be published and distributed to colleges across the state in the coming academic year. Smith was lauded by co-workers for many achievements, among them promoting new technologies in his classroom.

Israeli historian and UCLA professor Saul Friedlander will receive the top prize of the Frankfurt Book Fair in recognition of his narratives documenting the Nazi Holocaust, the German Book Trade association said Thursday. Friedlander, 74, is to be given the $33,000 peace prize during the annual book fair in October. Among his best-known works is his two-volume collection, "Nazi Germany and the Jews."

Harvard University President Lawrence Summers, whose term ends Friday, said he will return to the school as a professor next year. Summers said he is looking forward to teaching, writing and researching.

Steven D. Carter, professor and chair of UC Irvine's Department of East Asian languages and literatures, will be honored for his leadership role in establishing the university's Korean studies program during an awards dinner Thursday. The event will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Disneyland Hotel. Carter will be honored by the Korean American Federation of Orange County, which each year hosts the Korean American Friendship Awards Dinner.

Seymour Menton, a research professor of Spanish and Portuguese and founder of UC Irvine's department of foreign languages and literatures, has received Guatemala's prestigious Miguel Angel Asturias Order. The award was named after Guatemala's most distinguished novelist, who received the Nobel Prize for literature in 1967. Menton traveled to Guatemala recently to accept the award at the National Palace.

Orange Coast College officials have started a scholarship fund in memory of Michael Copp, the psychology professor, counselor and sports adviser who died of a heart attack last Thursday at the age of 56. Funeral services for Copp will be Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at OCC's Robert B. Morris Theater. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael Copp Scholar-Athlete Award fund through OCC's athletic department. For more information, call (714) 432-5645.