This award is given for outstanding contributions in a field of specialty. The recipient of the award will be selected for significant contributions in the field of (1) basic or applied research, (2) creative production, or (3) other scholarly achievements. 

Recipient of the award should:

• Achieve recognition among colleagues in the discipline for productive research or creative work;
• Make a concerted effort toward the advancement of his or her scholarly discipline;
• Typify the highest ideals of scholarship;
• Earnestly seek intellectual and professional growth, both as a member of a specialized discipline and as a participant in the academic affairs of the University;
• Demonstrate an interest in fostering the intellectual growth of students;
• Stimulate and promote student scholarship;
• Be active in professional associations and learned societies and disseminate current knowledge to students;
• Exemplify the qualities of unselfishness, integrity, and humane outlook;
• Contribute to the institutional welfare of the University.

Dr. Edrisa Sanyang

Department of Public Health

2023 Award Winner

Faculty Excellence in Student Advisement Award

This award is given to a faculty member in recognition of excellence in advising as evidenced by extensive and effective support of student development in school and broader life contexts.

Recipient of the award should:

• Achieve recognition among students and colleagues for effective advising;
• Demonstrate an interest in fostering the academic and personal development of individual students;
• Be accessible to students and demonstrate proactive and innovative methods of advising;
• Demonstrate and share knowledge of university, college, department and community programs and resources;
• Engage in developmental advising (career and life planning) in addition to course scheduling;
• Participate in programs/activities that create a sense of community among students and faculty (e.g., Freshman Seminar, Honors program, departmental clubs, student organizations, learning communities, and faculty mentoring);
• Participate in activities that enhance personal and collegial advising skills;
• Exemplify the qualities of unselfishness, integrity, and humane outlook;
• Contribute to the institutional welfare of the University.

Dr. Jay Gabbard

Department of Social Work

2023 Award Winner

This award is given to a faculty member for distinguished activity in public service. Categories of public service which are encompassed include technical assistance services; consultation activities; service to public and professional organizations; cultural and artistic services; special services to individual clients; and application of knowledge to the resolution of public problems. 

Recipient of the award should:

• Achieve recognition among colleagues for effective productivity in public service;
• Typify by individual professional activities the ideals of academic excellence;
• Bring recognition to the University from non-university clients who have benefited from the public service performed;
• Demonstrate the relevance of the academic public service activity to the University's function as a center of learning by involvement of students in the activity or by relating in other ways the service to the University's educational mission;
• Contribute to the public service reputation of the Department, the College, and the University;
• Integrate the public service into the individual’s total professional development in the academic discipline and as a member of a community of scholars;
• Exemplify by individual professional and personal actions, qualities of unselfishness, integrity, and humane outlook;
• Contribute to the institutional welfare of the University.

Dr. Grace Lartey

Department of Public Health

2023 Award Winner

This award is given in recognition of the recipient’s teaching excellence as evidenced by effectiveness and ability to motivate and inspire students in the classroom.

Recipient of the award should:

• Consistently demonstrate superior teaching, evidenced by
  • comprehensive knowledge of his/her field
  • organization and presentation of subject matter
  • stimulation of student thinking and development of student understanding
  • arousal of student interest
  • demonstration of resourcefulness;
• Typify the highest ideals of scholarship;
• Exemplify the qualities of unselfishness, integrity, and humane outlook;
• Demonstrate an interest in fostering the intellectual growth of each student;

This award is given in recognition of the staff member's outstanding support and dedication to his or her work in CHHS and WKU.

Recipient of the award should:

• Achieve recognition among colleagues for outstanding support and dedication;
• Demonstrate and share knowledge of university, college, department and community programs and resources;
• Participate in/promote programs/activities that create a sense of community among students and faculty
• Participate in activities that enhance personal and collegial skills;
• Exemplify the qualities of unselfishness, integrity, and humane outlook;
• Contribute to the institutional welfare of the University.

April Hardison

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

2023 Award Winner