OSU honors faculty, staff at 2025 awards convocation
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Media Contact: Kaitlyn Henry | Marketing Strategist | 405-744-6263 | kaitlyn.henry@okstate.edu
The Oklahoma State University Division of Academic Affairs wrapped up 2025 with its annual University Awards Convocation on Monday in the Student Union Ballroom.
Provost Jeanette Mendez and Senior Vice Provost Chris Francisco awarded 64 staff, faculty and administrators across 19 categories, each nominated by supervisors and colleagues.
“This annual celebration provides an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the outstanding achievements of so many of OSU’s faculty and staff,” Dr. Mendez said. “And, while this ceremony is something we do every year, I continue to be amazed at the dedication and innovative spirit of the OSU family.”
Dr. DJ McMaughan — associate professor of community health sciences, counseling and counseling psychology — was a recipient of two awards. McMaughan received the President’s Fellow Research and Regents Research Awards, highlighting McMaughan’s dedication to groundbreaking research and OSU’s land grant mission.
There were 21 recipients across eight university divisions for the newly appointed chair and professorship holders, awarding each a medallion and recognition for their investment in furthering their areas of discipline.
Dr. Rudra Channappanavar — associate professor of veterinary pathobiology — was another recipient of multiple awards, being recognized for his dedication to research in his field and his demonstration of “an exceptionally strong potential for continued contributions to the university” by Dr. Francisco.
Other recipients of the Distinguished Early Career Faculty Award include Dr. Amy Hagerman, associate professor of agricultural economics; Dr. Elizabeth McCullagh, associate professor of biology; Dr. Brooke Coe, associate professor of political science; Dr. Imraan Faruque, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; Dr. Lindsey Greco, associate professor of management; and Sumit Mandal, associate professor of design and merchandising.
The Land-Grant Award for Excellence was awarded to Dr. Brian Whitacre — professor and Jean and Patsy Neustadt Chair in the Ferguson College of Agriculture — for his commitment to OSU’s land-grant mission through his research, teaching and Extension efforts.
“His leadership in expanding rural broadband, telehealth access and digital literacy … has tangibly improved the quality of life across rural Oklahoma while shaping state broadband policy,” Francisco said. “At the same time, his mentorship of students and collaboration with organizations such as AARP exemplify how applied scholarship and community engagement can directly advance the land-grant ideal of ‘scholarship with a purpose, service to the people.’”
The Leave the Ladder Down Awards recognized faculty member Holley Hansen, teaching associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, and staff member Casey Domnick, assistant director of fraternity and sorority affairs with Campus Life.
“Dr. Hansen exemplifies exceptional mentorship and dedication to student success, empowering undergraduates through research opportunities, professional development and personalized guidance that extends beyond graduation,” Francisco said.
“(Domnick’s) leadership within Campus Life and beyond has fostered a culture of empowerment and excellence, leaving a lasting impact on those he supports at OSU and across the broader higher education community.”
The University Service Awards were given to Ulli Schoenknecht, a senior academic advisor for the College of Arts and Sciences, and Cindy Haseley, director of business operations for the College of Education and Human Sciences. Both individuals have served long tenures at the university, totalling over 50 years of service.
The Eminent Faculty Award is recognized as the greatest level of scholarly success given to a faculty member through a highly competitive process. This year’s recipient was Dr. Sam Fuhlendorf, Regents professor of natural resource ecology and management.
“His mentorship of over 50 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, coupled with exemplary teaching and extensive service to professional societies and state agencies, reflects his deep commitment to developing future scientists and advancing conservation science,” Francisco said. “His national and international impact, groundbreaking scholarship, and enduring service make him the most deserving candidate for the 2025 Eminent Faculty Award.”
2025 University Awards
List of Awardees:
Phoenix Award for Graduate Faculty
- Anita Silwal, Community Health Sciences, Counseling and Counseling Psychology, College of Education and Human Sciences
President’s Fellows Research Award
- Yu Feng, Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
- DJ McMaughan, Community Health Sciences, Counseling and Counseling Psychology, College of Education and Human Sciences
- Madhan Subramanian, Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine
Public Impact Research Award
- Kami Gallus, Human Development and Family Sciences, College of Education and Human Sciences
- Jennifer Jones, Human Development and Family Sciences, College of Education and Human Sciences
Regents Distinguished Research Award
- Shannon Spaulding, Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences
- Noha Youssef, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Arts and Sciences
- Weihua Sheng, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
- DJ McMaughan, Community Health Sciences, Counseling and Counseling Psychology, College of Education and Human Sciences
- Rudra Channappanavar, Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine
- Ranjith Ramanathan, Animal and Food Sciences, Ferguson College of Agriculture
- Nikos Dimotakis, Management, Spears School of Business
Regents Distinguished Teaching Award
- Beatrix Haggard, Plant and Soil Sciences, Ferguson College of Agriculture
- Matthew Cabeen, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Arts and Sciences
- Cynthia Francisco, Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences
- Maribeth Kuzmeski, Marketing and International Business, Spears School of Business
- Lauren Amaya, Nutritional Sciences, College of Education and Human Sciences
Career Champion Award
Faculty
- Jill Joyce, Nutritional Sciences, College of Education and Human Sciences
Staff
- Caitlin Barnes, Outreach Programs, College of Arts and Sciences
Global Education Faculty Excellence Award
- Seung Ra, Architecture, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Online Teaching Excellence Award
- Rachel Cox, Accounting, Spears School of Business
Outreach Excellence Award
- Caitlin Barnes, Outreach, College of Arts and Sciences
OSU Professional and Continuing Education Excellence Award
- Gina Noble, Director, College of Professional Studies
Newly Appointed Chair and Professorship Holders
Ferguson College of Agriculture
- Scott Loss, Bollenbach Chair in Wildlife Management
- Beatrix Haggard, P.E. Harrill Professorship in Crop Science
- Sergio Abit, Warth Distinguished Professorship in Agronomy
College of Arts and Sciences
- Ingrid Ukstins, Boone Pickens Endowed Chair in Geophysics
- Chris Haygood, Doug and Nickie Burns Endowed Professorship in Choral Music
- Mary Towner, Edward E. Bartlett Professorship of Pedagogy in Integrative Biology
- Andy Mattern, Vennerberg Endowed Chair in Art
Spears School of Business
- Aaron Burt, Greg Massey Professorship in Finance
- Marlys Mason, Jeanine Rhea/Oklahoma International Women’s Forum Professorship
- Rick Laux, Judy Freeman Johnson Professorship in Accounting
- Brij Thapa, Kim and Chuck Watson Chair in Business
- Justin Lawrence, Noble Foundation Chair in Marketing Strategy
- David Carter, Paul C. Wise Chair for Excellence in Finance
College of Education and Human Sciences
- Hongyu Wang, Chuck and Kim Watson Chair in Education
College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
- Jindal Shah, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Chair in Chemical Engineering
- Nathan Richardson, Centennial Professorship in Architecture and Architectural Engineering
- Weihua Sheng, Earl and Carolyn Glimp Professorship for Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Rasim Guldiken, John Brammer Endowed Professorship in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- John Veenstra, Van Weathers Endowed Chair in Competitive Leadership
- Joshua Li, Williams Companies Professorship in Civil Engineering
- Teiming Liu, Wilson Bentley Professorship in Industrial Engineering and Management
College of Veterinary Medicine
- Amanda Samuels, Clinical Professorship in the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences
- Emily McCool, James and Elizabeth Wise Chair in Veterinary Ophthalmology
- Michael Schoonover, Ricks-Rapp Professorship in Musculoskeletal Research
- Ana Costa, Tracy Kyle Chair in Small Animal Veterinary Medicine
Edmon Low Library
- Megan Macken, W.P. Wood Professorship for Library Service
School of Global Studies
- Bidisha Lahiri, Don and Cathey Humphreys Business Chair in the School of Global Studies
- Michael Yough, Don and Cathey Humphreys Education Chair in the School of Global Studies
Division of Academic Affairs
- Kirsten Olds, Marilynn and Carl Thoma Professorship of the Arts
Excellence in Teaching Award for Adjunct Faculty
- Logan Evans, Languages and Literature, College of Arts and Sciences
Merrick Foundation Teaching Award
- Sunny Su, Economics, Spears School of Business
Advising Excellence Award
- Mellissa Crosswhite, Animal and Food Sciences, Ferguson College of Agriculture
- Vicki Rhodey, Student Academic Services, College of Arts and Sciences
- Amber Singleton, Chesapeake Energy Business Student Success Center, Spears School of Business
- Pam Cartmell, Academic Programs and Student Success Center, College of Education and Human Sciences
- Rachel Todhunter, Student Academic Services, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
- Caleigh Shaw, Student Success and Advising / LASSO Center, Division of Academic Affairs
- Jindal Shah, Chemical Engineering, Graduate College
- Brianne Taylor, Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine
Newly Appointed Regents Professors
- Weili Zhang, Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Distinguished Early Career Faculty Award
- Amy Hagerman, Ferguson College of Agriculture
- Elizabeth McCullagh, College of Arts and Sciences
- Brooke Coe, College of Arts and Sciences
- Lindsey Greco, Spears School of Business
- Sumit Mandal, College of Education and Human Sciences
- Imraan Faruque, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
- Rudra Channappanavar, College of Veterinary Medicine
Land-Grant Award for Excellence
- Brian Whitacre, Department of Agricultural Economics, Ferguson College of Agriculture
Leave the Ladder Down Award
- Holley Hansen, Department of Political Science, College of Arts and Sciences
- Casey Domnick, Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, Campus Life
University Service Award
- Ulli Schoenknecht, College of Arts and Sciences
- Cindy Haseley, College of Education and Human Sciences.
Eminent Faculty Award
- Sam Fuhlendorf, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Ferguson College of Agriculture
Story By: Kenzie Kraich | kenzie.kraich@okstate.edu