01/24/23, local

By FHSU University Communications

HAYS, Kan. – Faculty, staff, and students were honored Monday afternoon during the 2023 winter convocation at the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.

Three faculty members were selected for the faculty awards from the fall 2022 semester, one each in the areas of teaching, scholarly activity, and service. Each person receives a $500 cash award, funded through the support of Commerce Bank. In addition, the university deans provide $250 in OOE funds to the departments of the award winners.

Dr. Carol Ellis, Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders, received the Outstanding Teaching Award.

Dr. Whitney Whitaker, Chair and Associate Professor of Psychology, was the recipient of the Outstanding Research and Scholarly Activity Award.

The Outstanding Service Award for the fall semester went to Dr. Jerrie Brooks, Assistant Professor of Advanced Education Programs.

The Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award recognizes an adjunct faculty member from each of the university’s five academic colleges. Each winner receives a $500 cash award. They are:

• Dr. Donald Dunn, Leadership Programs – College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
• David Gray, Department of Informatics – Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
• Dr. Terry McEwen, Department of Advanced Education Programs – College of Education.
• Pamela Greenleaf, Health and Behavioral Sciences – College of Health and Behavioral Sciences.
• Kathie Lennertz, Department of Mathematics – Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics.

The President’s Distinguished Service Awards recognize two staff members, one from University Support Staff (USS) and one from Unclassified Professional Staff (UPS). The awards are presented for longevity, breadth of quality contributions, and the significance of their dedication and commitment to the university. Each receives a $500 cash award.

Mandy Ricke, Administrative Specialist in the Office of the Registrar, was the USS winner.

Jennifer Whitmer, Senior Administrative Assistant for the Department of Social Work, was the UPS winner.

The Les and Elizabeth Griffin Outstanding Service Awards were presented to two staff members and two student workers in the university’s daily operations departments. Each staff winner receives a $500 cash award, and each student winner receives a $250 cash award.

Becky Kuhn, Custodian at the Gross Memorial/Cunningham Hall Complex, received the Griffin Family Outstanding Service Award for Facility Operations-Staff. Griffin Brunson, Graduate Teaching Assistant at Gross Memorial, received the Facility Operations-Student award.

Ashley Anderson of Starbucks was the recipient of the Outstanding Food Service-Staff award. Sam Welsk, Tiger Pizza Supervisor for Chartwells, was the Food Service-Student award winner.

Department Assessment Awards included:

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders received the Closing the Loop Departmental Assessment Award, a $2,000 award given to a department that has implemented degree program improvements.

The Department of Health and Human Performance received the Advancing Assessment Award, a $1,000 award recognizing a department that continues to improve in program assessment activities.