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Congratulations to NKU's 2023 Faculty Award Winners!
Frank Sinton Milburn Oustanding Professor
Noblitt

Bethany Noblitt

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

 

"Dr. Noblitt is a strikingly creative teacher who uses high-impact practices to engage students in courses that they might not otherwise find exciting.  Even after over 20 years she is still working to make improvements and developing ideas that others should emulate.  Her student-developed class philosophy approach is a brilliant way to build community in a classroom! She has also been active in procuring external funding in collaborative efforts and is a much sought-after collaborator for the level of commitment she brings to her work."
Michael C.C. Adams & Susan S. Adams Oustanding Non-Tenure Track Faculty Member
Burdette

Joy Burdette

School of the Arts

Music Program

"Her involvement expands beyond the classroom with efforts to create community among voice students that is so important to helping them persist. She is there to support students in voice juries, recitals, and competitions and there for her colleagues in faculty concerts, both on stage and in the audience. Her organizational skills and institutional experience have helped keep the vocal area on track."

 
Kappesser

Patricia Kappesser

Department of Biological Sciences

"Professor Kappesser is an outstanding educator, an incredible colleague, and model member of our department. Throughout everything she does, she is devoted to creating an inclusive educational environment and encouraging those around her, students, staff, and faculty, to ask questions and explore. Professor Kappesser epitomizes excellence in education and is highly deserving of this award."
Part-Time Faculty Excellence in Instruction
Wald

Christina Wald

School of the Arts

Art and Design Program

"Christina is intensely devoted to education. Her enthusiasm to share her work, skills, techniques, and processes with others cannot be contained. Christina is an engaged and dynamic instructor that is supportive and will go the extra mile to make sure students succeed."
Excellence in Online or Technology Enhanced Teaching
Lemmon

Marla Lemmon

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

"Marla takes great care in designing her courses to produce clear and relevant content for her students through her videos and guided notes, and shares her practices with colleagues. In addition, she has taken the time to develop meaningful assessments for her students, including collaborative learning assignments which is atypical in an online asynchronous class."
Excellence in Teaching & Instruction
Maheshwari

Zeel Maheshwari

Department of Physics, Geology, and Engineering Technology

"Dr. Maheshwari motivates students to reach their potential; she demands the best from our students and helps them to reach the goals she sets for them. She has a positive impact on the lives of our students both inside the class as well as outside the class. She is a strong proponent of creating a curriculum which makes engineering technology students successful in the work force and she brings a wealth of ideas to the engineering technology program along those lines."

 
Gang Sun

Gang Sun

Department of Physics, Geology, and Engineering Technology

"Dr. Sun's success in the classroom can be attributed to his focus on developing course materials and providing students with a hands-on learning experience that connects theory to practice. He blends traditional lectures with practical exercises that concentrate on real-world skills and addressing authentic industrial challenges. He actively engages with industry leaders and brings industry and students together to work on actual projects."
Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Kasturiratna and Holden

Dhanuja Kasturiratna &

Lisa Holden

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

"In 2016, Lisa and DK began working together, combining their strengths in mentoring students in a way that has had a major influence on a number of NKU students. Dr. Kasturiratna has an innate ability to motivate and propel students to reach far beyond what they might feel are their limits. Dr. Holden’s organizational skills and feedback are instrumental in helping students meet and exceed expectations related to the communication of mathematical/statistical concepts. I truly believe that Lisa and DK’s work has been transformative to the culture of undergraduate research in the Math/Stats department."
Excellence in Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity
Nichols

Bridget Nichols

Department of Marketing, Sports Business, and Construction Management

"Dr. Nichols’ research has led to several moments of recognition for NKU from national media. Her unwavering dedication to her field of study and tireless efforts to advance knowledge in her disciplines are truly remarkable. Her numerous publications and highly acclaimed research projects are a testament to her exceptional ability and achievements."

 
Moore Wagner

Sara Moore Wagner

Department of English

 

"Two full length books, two book chapters, two published articles, and 128 published individual poems from a part-time faculty member from whom scholarly activity is not required. Ms. Wagner has established herself on a national stage as a rising talent and important voice in Appalachian culture. Our students—most of whom are first year students--are fortunate to have the chance to work with such an outstanding poet and such a caring and effective teacher."

 
Dahlem

Greg Dahlem

Department of Biological Sciences

 

"Greg has devoted decades of his life to entomological research and has earned international recognition as a distinguished scholar, researcher, and mentor among his peers. He has advanced the study of flesh fly biology by developing innovative research methods and creating one of the largest databases of flesh fly biodiversity. With over 18 years of continuous publication in the field of entomology and several written chapters, and a textbook, Greg is a highly sought-after expert in the identification of flies."
Excellence in Outreach and Engagement
Suk-hee Kim

Suk-hee Kim

School of Social Work

"Dr. Kim has demonstrated consistent excellence at the university, community and national level in her teaching, research and service related to outreach and engagement. Dr. Kim is very actively involved with numerous community partners, schools, agencies, and organizations. Dr. Kim strives to find ways to interconnect with effective leadership her teaching, research, and community engagement to support student success and learning outcomes."
Excellence in University Service
Farrar

John Farrar

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

"John is currently in his third term as Faculty Senate President and was recently re-elected for a fourth term. The Faculty Senate President is arguably the most demanding service role on campus. It is a public, visible role, and John has handled it with strong leadership, accompanied by poise, diplomacy, and compassion. John has served the university with distinction, as a committee member and as a leader, within the university and at the state level, impacting, students, staff, faculty, and administration."
Inclusive Excellence Leadership Faculty
Tenkotte

Paul Tenkotte

Department of History

"Dr. Tenkotte’s DEI teaching strategies are supported by evidence-based scholarship, but some are the synthesis of his personal experiences and his well-honed emotional and cultural intelligence. He creates opportunities for students to share their own experiences and perspectives in a safe environment. Paul has proven his dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion by improving the student experience in his discipline, campus, and community."
Faculty Award Nominees
Congratulations to all of the faculty nominated for awards this year. All are deserving of recognition!

Allison Parker

Amanda Brockman

Amy Bacevich

Amy Halbrook

Anne Sahingoz

Anthony Burk

Bernadine Topazio

Bethany Noblitt

Brad McCombs

Bridget Nichols

Christina Wald

Christopher Polito

David Evans

David Tataw

Dennis Honabach

Dolores White

Donelle Dreese

Eric Alden

Ernest Smith

Gang Sun

Greg Dahlem

Jack Harrison

Jacqueline Emerine

James O’Bannon

James Walden

Jason Farkas

Jeff Fox

Jeffrey Varrone

Mike Scola

Paige Wideman

Patricia Kappesser

Paul Tenkotte

Rami Leventhal

Rhonda Davis

Sandra Spataro

Sara Moore Wagner

Shawn Faulkner

Suk-hee Kim

Wes Akers

Zeel Maheshwari