2014 Phoenix Award winners announced
Thursday, April 17, 2014
The Phoenix Awards annually honor an outstanding master's student, doctoral student
and faculty member, based on achievement in scholarship, leadership, professional
involvement and university and community service.
"We are excited to honor these devoted nominees and their tireless efforts toward
making OSU a better environment for learning, research and exploration," said Amanda
Curtis, GPSGA executive member.
Sundararajan Madihally, an associate professor in the School of Chemical Engineering,
was named the Outstanding Graduate Faculty Member for his exemplary teaching ability,
professional excellence, dedication to the profession and growth of graduate students.
Madihally received $500 as part of this prestigious award.
The other finalists for this year's faculty member award were Charles Abramson, from
the Department of Psychology, and Kathryn Castle, from the School of Teaching and
Curriculum Leadership.
Entomology and plant pathology student Gabriela Orquera received the Outstanding Graduate
Master's Student award, and Daniel Asamoah, a management sciences and information
systems graduate student, was named the Outstanding Graduate Doctoral Student.
The winning students were selected for their exemplary leadership, scholastic achievement,
professional involvement and research. Each student received $375 and had their names
engraved on the Phoenix award plaque, located outside the Graduate College office
in Whitehurst Hall.
Isarin Durongkadej, from the Spears School of Business, was a finalist for the master's
student award. Both Elisabeth Rendina-Ruedy, from Human Sciences, and Akkarapol Sangasoongsong,
from Materials Sciences and Engineering, were finalists for the doctoral student award.
In addition to the Phoenix Award, a variety of other individuals, as well as research
symposium paper and poster award winners, were recognized at this year's event.
Jodi Riek, from Human Sciences, was named the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant,
Julie Koch, from Applied Health Education Psychology Department, is the Outstanding
Graduate Coordinator winner, and Debra Danley, from the Department of Animal Science,
was named Outstanding Graduate Supporting Staff.
By Kaitlin Loyd