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 15).

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:

• Rui Zhang, Professor of Chemistry, Ogden College of Science & Engineering

• Anthony Harkins, Professor of History, Potter College of Arts & Letters 

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: LaSheena Shelton, Office Associate, School of Nursing and Allied Health

• Teamwork Award: Doreen Williams-Holmes, Office Coordinator, Finance, Marketing, and Economics

• Student Support Award: Emmeline Essler, Student Services Coordinator, Dean of Students

• Part Time Award: Rina Lewis, Office Coordinator, TRIO Student Support Services, Disabilities

• Unsung Hero Award: Audra Coil, Office Coordinator, Doctor of Physical Therapy

• WKU Affiliate Award: Ronnie Allerkamp, Facilities Management, Sodexo

Faculty Award Winners

Each year, WKU recognizes outstanding contributions by faculty members in the areas of teaching, research & creativity, service, student advising, part-time teaching and online teaching & course design.

• Excellence in Teaching: Heather Glass, Pedagogical Assistant Professor, Department of Accounting, Gordon Ford College of Business 

• Excellence in Research and Creative Activity: Kirolos Haleem, Associate Professor, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Ogden College of Sciences & Engineering

• Excellence in Service: Sarah Bonis, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Education & Behavioral Science 

• Excellence in Student Advisement: Jason Wilson, Instructor, School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Ogden College of Science & Engineering 

• Excellence in Online Teaching & Course Design: Kerrie McDaniel, Pedagogical Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, Ogden College of Science & Engineering  

• Excellence in Part-time Teaching: Ericka Russell, Part-time Faculty, English, Potter College of Arts & Letters

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: Wayne Simpson, Associate Director, Advising & Career Development Center

• President’s ONE WKU Faculty Award: Michelle Jones, Associate Professor, Mathematics, Ogden College of Science & Engineering

• President’s ONE WKU Student Award: Avery Wells, Political Science (Pre Law) and minor, Africana Studies

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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.