Academic Affairs News

Dear Colleagues,
 
Each and every day we challenge our students to reach beyond in pursuit of greatness.  Yet, as educators and life-long learners, we understand that long-term goals can often seem distant or unattainable.  It’s for this reason that we must continually remind our students to celebrate every victory along their journey to becoming WKU Alumni.
 
In the spirit of celebration, included below are some important announcements concerning our talented faculty:
 
Faculty Awards
 
The University annually recognizes outstanding contributions by faculty members in the areas of Teaching, Research & Creativity, Public Service, Student Advisement, and Part-Time Teaching.  Following are the 2019 college award winners and finalists for the university-wide awards:

 
Excellence in Teaching

• Cheryl Wolf, Department of Counseling and Student Affairs, CEBS
• Leigh Anne Roden-Carrier, Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, CHHS
• Stacy Bibelhauser, Department of Accounting, GFCB
• Melanie Autin, Department of Mathematics, OCSE
• David DiMeo, Department of Modern Languages, PCAL

 
Excellence in Student Advisement

• Sarah Ochs, Department of Psychology, CEBS
• Jan Hunt-Shepherd, Department of Public Health, CHH
• Sheri Henson, Department of Accounting, GFCB
• Jason Wilson, School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, OCSE
• Carol Jordan, Department of Theatre and Dance, PCAL

 
Excellence in Research & Creative Activity

• Lisa Duffin, Department of Psychology, CEBS
• Rachel Tinius, School of Kinesiology, Recreation & Sport, CHHS
• Johnny Chan, Department of Finance, GFCB
• Sanju Gupta, Department of Physics and Astronomy, OCSE
• Sophia Arjana, Department of Philosophy and Religion, PCAL
• Haiwang Yuan, Department of Library Public Services, UL

 
Excellence in Public Service

• Jenni Redifer, Department of Psychology, CEBS
• Liz Sturgeon, School of Nursing, CHHS
• Dana Cosby, Department of Management, GFCB
• Amy Brausch, Department of Psychological Sciences, OCSE
• Holli Drummond, Department of Sociology, PCAL
• Laura DeLancey, Department of Library Technical Services, UL

 
Excellence in Part-Time Teaching

• Stacy Edds-Ellis, Department of Education Administration, Leadership & Research, CEBS
• April Hardison, Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, CHHS
• Alice Simpson, Undergraduate Student Services, GFCB
• Dawn Winters, Department of English, PCAL

Please join me on Tuesday, April 16, at 3:00 p.m. in the Mahurin Honors College Multi-Purpose Room 1011 to celebrate these exemplary faculty members.  Refreshments will be served.
 
Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning
 
A WKU team has been selected to attend AAC&U’s 2019 Institute on General Education and Assessment at the University of Vermont June 4–7.  AAC&U’s institute will offer WKU’s team a time and place for sustained collaborative work guided by a resident faculty of educational experts and consultants.  While in Burlington, the WKU team will explore intentional and meaningfully assessed models of general education and will share their knowledge with the WKU campus community when they return. The six-person team includes Greg Arbuckle, Robin Ayers, Marko Dumančić, Peggy Otto, Daniel Super, and Paula Upright.
 
Comprehensive Academic Program Evaluation (CAPE)
 
I would like to thank the committee for their collaborative and exhaustive work on this important initiative.  I have begun to review the recommendations for all 383 programs.  Additional information will be forthcoming.
 
Thank you for your continued efforts in service of our students.
 
Sincerely,
 
Terry Ballman