new faculty members stand on stage wearing medallions during University Awards Convocation

2023 university award winners announced

Monday, December 4, 2023

Media Contact: Sydney Trainor | Communications Specialist | 405-744-9782 | sydney.trainor@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University Provost Jeanette Mendez acknowledged the accomplishments of faculty, staff and administrators in 2023 during the University Awards Convocation held on Monday at the Student Union Ballroom.

Dr. Mendez, alongside Dr. Chris Francisco — vice provost — awarded recipients in 25 different categories, each nominated by supervisors and colleagues.

“This annual celebration provides an opportunity to celebrate and commemorate the outstanding achievements of so many of OSU faculty and staff, and while the ceremony is something we do every year, I continue to be amazed at the dedication and creative spirit of the OSU family,” Mendez said.

Dr. Jennifer Rudd, assistant professor of veterinary pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, received awards in three separate categories: the Advising Excellence Award; the Outreach Faculty Excellence Award; and the Regents Distinguished Teaching Award.

Mendez said Rudd is a passionate STEM educator and advocate for veterinary medicine, having established numerous programs for K-12 students to inspire them to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. In addition to mentoring and designing programs for prospective and current veterinary students, as well as practicing veterinarians, Rudd is a respected and sought-after speaker. In support of OSU’s We are Land-Grant strategy, Rudd actively contributes to the veterinary medicine outreach program and is a fervent advocate for the One Health initiative.

The inaugural Public Impact Research Award is intended to recognize a program that has implemented one or more impactful public impact research projects, specifically research efforts that have public impact and community involvement at the core of how the work was planned, carried out and disseminated. The recipients were Dr. Lindsey Greco from the Department of Management and Dr. Xiangyu (Dale) Li, from the Department of Fire and Emergency Management.

The Distinguished Early Career Faculty Awards were presented to Dr. Omkar Joshi from the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Dr. Douglas Miller from the Department of History, Dr. Xu Zhang from the Department of Mathematics, Dr. Steven Shepherd from the Department of Marketing and International Business, Dr. DJ McMaughan from the Department of Community Health Sciences, Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Dr. John O’Hara from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Kevin Dyke from the Edmon Low Library.

Recipients of this award were chosen based on their award of tenure within the past three years, their demonstration of strong potential for their contributions to the university, their professions, research, creative activity and Extension and/or outreach.

The Land-Grant Award for Excellence was given to Dr. Hitesh Vora from the Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology.

Vora was recognized for his six-year tenure as director of the OSU Industrial Assessment Centers. His dedication to the land-grant mission is evident in his advocacy for interdisciplinary learning, problem-solving achievements, and collaborations with various state and local entities. Established in 1982, the center has been a driving force for advancing energy conservation, efficiency and sustainable development. With a strategic focus on addressing energy challenges in communities, the center collaborates with local stakeholders and industries, offering innovative solutions aligned with OSU's land-grant mission.

The Leave the Ladder Down Awards were given to Dr. Shelbie Witte from the School of Teaching, Learning and Educational Sciences, Dr. Flera Rizatdinova from the Department of Physics and Timothy Huff from the Office of International Students and Scholars.

Recipients were commemorated for their mentorship and encouragement of others in their respective fields to reach their fullest potential.

The University Service Awards were given to Dr. Tamara Mix from the Department of Sociology and Angie Sneed from the College of Arts and Sciences Outreach program.

The Eminent Faculty award is designed to recognize the highest level of scholarly achievement at OSU. This year’s recipient was Dr. Dursun Delen for his ability to excel in the crossdisciplinarity nexus of business analytics, engineering and health science.

List of honorees

Newly Appointed Regents Professors

This honorary title is awarded to faculty judged by peers to have made outstanding contributions to their discipline through accomplishments in instruction, research, scholarship, Extension and/or outreach.

Glenn Zhang, Animal and Food Sciences, Ferguson College of Agriculture
Jack Pashin, Geology, College of Arts and Sciences
Mostafa Elshahed, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Arts and Sciences
Tyler Ley, Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Jamey Jacob, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology

Phoenix Award for Graduate Faculty

This Graduate and Professional Student Government Association award honors an outstanding graduate faculty member who embodies the character of leadership, scholarship, university and community service, and involvement with graduate and professional students.

Edralin Lucas, Nutritional Sciences, College of Education and Human Sciences

President’s Fellows Research Award

This award supports faculty by equipping them to conduct groundbreaking research. Awardees must be tenured faculty within five years of their date of tenure, and awards, up to $20,000 each, are given as one-time grants to be expended over a period of no more than one year.

Winyoo Chowanadisai, Nutritional Sciences, College of Education and Human Sciences
Ramesh Kaipa, Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Arts and Sciences
Mike Schoonover, Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine

Regents Distinguished Research Award

This award recognizes faculty who have shown unusually significant achievement in their field of research. Awardees receive a $2,000 permanent stipend.

Rodney Will, Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Ferguson College of Agriculture
An Cheng, English, College of Arts and Sciences
Rolf Prade, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Arts and Sciences
Lisa Schurer Lambert, Management, Spears School of Business
Jennifer Cribbs, Teaching, Learning and Educational Sciences, College of Education and Human Sciences
Jeffery White, Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Fernando Vicosa Bauermann, Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine

Regents Distinguished Teaching Award

This award recognizes faculty who have shown unusually significant achievement in the instruction of students for an extended number of years. Awardees receive a $2,000 permanent stipend.

Jon Ramsey, Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership, Ferguson College of Agriculture
Erika Lutter, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Arts and Sciences
Matthew Schauer, History, College of Arts and Sciences
Jeanine Porck, Management, Spears School of Business
Katherine Curry, Educational Foundations, Leadership and Aviation, College of Education and Human Sciences
Joshua Ramsey, Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Jennifer Rudd, Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine

Career Champion Award

This award recognizes a faculty and staff member who have championed career development and readiness by encouraging, fostering and promoting opportunities for students.

Faculty

Steve Ruby, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Spears School of Business

Staff

Yokolanda Speight, Hargis Leadership Institute, Division of Student Affairs

Dr. Patricia A. Bell Inclusive Excellence Faculty Award

This award recognizes a faculty member who is judged to bring their students — through teaching, research and/or outreach — a better understanding and appreciation of the value of inclusive excellence in the American social, political, or economic system. The recipient receives a one-time stipend of $2,500.

Erica Townsend-Bell, Political Science, College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Howard J. Ship Jr. Inclusive Excellence Staff Award

This award is presented annually to a staff member who exemplifies extraordinary service and outstanding achievements in advancing the culture of respect and inclusion at Oklahoma State University. The recipient receives a one-time stipend of $1,500.

Leon Jones, OSU Police Department, Administration and Finance

Women’s Faculty Council Outstanding Achievement and Mentorship of Women Awards

These awards, with a $500 stipend, are given to faculty who have made significant contributions to research, scholarship and/or creative works and have a demonstrated record of encouragement, mentorship and advancement of women toward professional success.

Rising Star

Corinne Schwarz, Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences

Outstanding Achievement

Amber Manning-Ouellette, Educational Foundations, Leadership and Aviation, College of Education and Human Sciences

Inspiring Excellence

Lanette Lopez-Compton, Music, College of Arts and Sciences

Global Education Faculty Excellence Award

Honorees are faculty who have distinguished themselves by integrating a global perspective into instruction, research and outreach. The award consists of a $1,000 stipend.

Derrell Peel, Agricultural Economics, Ferguson College of Agriculture

Online Teaching Excellence Award

This award recognizes a faculty member with a strong commitment to engaged, online teaching and student success. Criteria focus on evidence of a nominee’s use of effective and innovative online teaching practices resulting in student engagement, student satisfaction, use of effective methods of assessment of student learning and demonstration of a commitment to fostering the academic success of online students. The award includes a $2,000 stipend.

Maribeth Kuzmeski, Marketing and International Business, Spears School of Business

Outreach Faculty Excellence Award

This award recognizes an individual for their commitment to OSU’s outreach mission as a land-grant institution, evidenced by the nominee’s impact on programs, innovation and creativity in content and design, and overall implementation of outreach programs. The award includes a $2,000 stipend.

Jennifer Rudd, Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine

Newly Appointed Chair and Professorship Holders

Medallions are presented to outstanding faculty who have been recently appointed to endowed chair and professorship positions. These faculty are dedicated to advancing their fields of study and have a strong desire to share their knowledge with the next generation.

Ferguson College of Agriculture

Brian Arnall, Walter Sitlington Chair in Agriculture
Adel Pezeshki, Animal Science Graduates of Distinction Professorship

College of Arts and Sciences

John McGuire, Welch/Bridgewater Chair in Sports Journalism

Spears School of Business

John Holden, William S. Spears Chair in Business Administration
Justin Lawrence, William S. Spears Chair in Business Administration II
Anna Lennard, William S. Spears Chair in Business Administration
Andy Luse, William S. Spears Chair in Business Administration IV
James Payne, Richard W. Poole Professorship for Excellence and the Norman and Suzanne Myers Endowed Chair for Excellence in Business Administration
Louis Piccotti, William S. Spears Chair in Business Administration IV
Jeanine Porck, William S. Spears Chair in Business Administration IV
Brian Roseman, Watson Family Chair for Commodity and Financial Risk Management
Steven Shepherd, William S. Spears Chair in Business Administration IV
Betty Simkins, Ed Keller Endowed Professorship in Finance and the Greg Massey Professorship in Finance
Michael Stuart, Arthur Andersen Professorship in Accounting
Brij Thapa, Carl and Marilynn Thoma Distinguished Chair in Hospitality and Tourism
Emma Qin Wang, William S. Spears Chair in Business Administration IV
Michael Wolfe, W. Haskell Cudd Professorship
Jun Zhang, William S. Spears Chair in Business Administration III

College of Education and Human Sciences

Donita Shaw, Steven and Mary Jane Buck Endowed Professorship in Reading
Carlos Valiente, Ramona Ware Emmons Paul Endowed Professorship in Early Childhood
Kelly Whalon, A. J. and Susan Jacques Professorship in Special Education

College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology

Sunderesh Heragu, John Hendrix Chair in Engineering
Guiping Hu, Donald and Cathey Humphreys Chair in Industrial Engineering and Management
Haley Murphy, Masonic Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies
John O’Hara, Public Service Company of Oklahoma-Albrecht Naeter Professorship in Electrical Engineering
Carisa Ramming, Halliburton Professorship in Engineering
Mohamed Soliman, Decker Dawson Chair in Civil Engineering
Hitesh Vora, Jim and Lynne Williams Professorship in Energy Technologies
Lizhi Wang, Ken and Lynn Case Endowed Chair in Industrial Engineering and Management

School of Global Studies

Adel Pezeshki, Iranian and Persian Gulf Studies Endowed Professorship A

College of Veterinary Medicine

Fernando Vicosa Bauermann, Walter Sitlington Chair in Veterinary Medicine
Joy Scaria, Sitlington Chair in Infectious Disease Research

Edmon Low Library

Juliana Nykolaiszyn, Doris Neustadt Professorship of Library Service

Assessment Champion For Student Success In Learning Award

This award, with a one-time $1,000 stipend, honors an academic program assessment individual or team who demonstrates innovation and creativity in assessment planning and implementation for continuous improvement in support of student success. Winners of this award are recognized as leaders who contribute to the establishment of a campus-wide culture of assessment in student learning, in support of the We Are Land-Grant strategic plan.

Karen Hickman, Environmental Science, Ferguson College of Agriculture

Excellence in Teaching Award for Adjunct Faculty

This award, with a $1,000 stipend, recognizes excellence in teaching and is presented to a non-tenure track faculty member with three or more years of service and whose primary assignment is instruction.

Mary Hileman, Geology, College of Arts and Sciences

Merrick Foundation Teaching Award

This award, with a $2,500 stipend, is presented to a faculty member who is judged to bring students a better understanding and appreciation of the American economic system.

Christopher Dinkel, Management, Spears School of Business

Advising Excellence Award

This award provides institutional recognition for outstanding academic advising by faculty and staff.

Sue Fairbanks, Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Ferguson College of Agriculture
Caleb Hamman, Student Academic Services, College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Academic Advisor
Christopher Fennell, Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Faculty Mentor
Samantha Lancaster, Student Success Center, Spears School of Business
Tom Joyce, Student Success Center, College of Education and Human Sciences
Kendall Treece, Engineering Technology, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Christy Beem, University College Advising/LASSO Center, Division of Academic Affairs
Samuel Morse, Student Success Center, Honors College
Jennifer Rudd, Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine
Aditya Jayadas, Design and Merchandising, College of Education and Human Sciences, Graduate College’s Outstanding Graduate Coordinator

Oklahoma Online Excellence Award

This statewide award recognizes individuals and groups that demonstrate exemplary leadership, innovation, collaboration and results that advance online and blended learning in the state of Oklahoma.

Kathy Essmiller, Edmon Low Library

Oklahoma Foundation For Excellence

Statewide award from the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence to recognize and encourage academic excellence in Oklahoma Public Schools, including one award for teaching excellence at an Oklahoma research university.

Bailey Norwood, Agricultural Economics, Ferguson College of Agriculture

Distinguished Early Career Faculty Award

This award, with a $2,000 stipend, recognizes faculty who were awarded tenure within the past three years and have demonstrated a strong potential for continued contributions to the university and to their profession in the areas of instruction, research and creative activity, and/or extension/outreach.

Omkar Joshi, Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Ferguson College of Agriculture
Douglas Miller, History, College of Arts and Sciences
Xu Zhang, Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences
Steven Shepherd, Marketing and International Business, Spears School of Business
DJ McMaughan, Community Health Sciences, Counseling, and Counseling Psychology, College of Education and Human Sciences
John O’Hara, Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Kevin Dyke, Edmon Low Library

Land-Grant Award for Excellence

This award was established to recognize a faculty member whose exemplary contributions promote the land-grant mission. The recipient receives a $1,000 stipend.

Hitesh Vora, Mechanical Engineering Technology, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology

Leave The Ladder Down Award

Given to a faculty member, a staff member and an administrator who have successfully mentored and encouraged others to reach their fullest potential.

Administrator

Shelbie Witte, Teaching, Learning and Educational Sciences, College of Education and Human Sciences

Faculty

Flera Rizatdinova, Physics, College of Arts and Sciences

Staff

Timothy Huff, International Students and Scholars, OSU Global

University Service Award

Given to a faculty member, a staff member and an administrator who have rendered meritorious service to the university.

Administrator

Tamara Mix, Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences

Staff

Angie Sneed, Outreach, College of Arts and Sciences

Eminent Faculty Award

This award, with a $10,000 stipend, is the highest honor given to a faculty member who has made sustained contributions to scholarly creative activity, instruction and service, bringing honor and recognition to the university.

Dursun Delen, Management Science and Information Systems, Spears School of Business