WKU News

Western Kentucky University recognized the recipients of this year’s Staff Excellence Awards, University Faculty Awards and the President’s ONE WKU Awards as well as the newest University Distinguished Professors at the Employee Excellence Dinner on Tuesday (April 16).

University Distinguished Professors

Each year, the Office of the Provost and Division of Academic Affairs invites nominations to recognize faculty currently at the rank of professor who serve the University with distinction and have an outstanding record of achievement in teaching, research/creativity, and service. The newest members of the community of University Distinguished Professors are:

• Gordon Emslie, Professor of Physics & Astronomy, Ogden College of Science & Engineering
• David Zimmer, Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, Gordon Ford College of Business.

Staff Excellence Awards

The Staff Excellence Awards honor and recognize WKU Staff Employees who go above and beyond the call for service. They embody an innovative, creative, and solution-oriented approach to work and make positive contributions to the University’s mission, strategic plan, and communities we serve.

• Customer Service Award: Susan Ausbrooks, School of Nursing and Allied Health

• Part Time Award: Sondra Brown, WKU at Fort Knox

• Student Support Award: Marrissa Bryant, Advising & Career Development Center

• Teamwork Award: Tishiba Roberson, University Libraries

• Unsung Hero Award: Amanda Hardin, University Libraries

• WKU Affiliate Award: David Sebaugh, Sodexo

Faculty Award Winners

Each year, WKU recognizes outstanding contributions by faculty members in the areas of teaching, research & creativity, service, student advising and part-time teaching. (Note: University award winners selected from college-level award recipients.)

• Excellence in Teaching: Ron Rhoades, Pedagogical Associate Professor, Department of Finance, Gordon Ford College of Business

• Excellence in Research and Creative Activity: Rui Zhang, Professor, Department of Chemistry, Ogden College of Science & Engineering         

• Excellence in Service: Austin Griffiths, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, College of Health and Human Services

• Excellence in Student Advisement: Leigh Anne Roden, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Health and Human Services        

• Excellence in Part-time Teaching: Terri Stice, Part-time Faculty, School of Teacher Education, College of Education & Behavioral Sciences

• Provost’s Award for Excellence in Colonnade Program Instruction: Scott Bonham, Associate Professor, Physics & Astronomy, Ogden College of Science & Engineering

• Provost’s Award for Excellence in Online Teaching & Course Design: Ellen Casale, Assistant Professor, School of Teacher Education, College of Education & Behavioral Sciences

President’s ONE WKU Award

The President’s ONE WKU Award recognizes members of the WKU community for leadership and achievement in ensuring all faculty, staff, and students are treated with dignity and respect as well as promoting equity and belonging. This year’s recipients are:

• President’s ONE WKU Staff Award: Lindsey Houchin, Assistant Director, Office of Scholar Development

• President’s ONE WKU Faculty Award: Daniel Boamah, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work

• President’s ONE WKU Student Award: Cassandra Wiley, a senior Biology major

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Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.