iMPACT

»If you missed 2015 University Day, watch the Keynote presentation and President Ray’s remarks.

Oregon State University ushered in the new academic year by honoring the accomplishments of its outstanding faculty, students and staff on 2015 University Day held September 21.

Not surprisingly, faculty and students of the College of Science won quite a few of the most prestigious university awards for excellence in professional achievement, research, teaching and dedicated service.

“I am extremely proud of our faculty and students. I am happy to see their excellence in scholarship, service, teaching and mentoring recognized across the university,” said Sastry G. Pantula, dean of the College of Science. “Keep up the excellent work!”

The OSU Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award recognizes a person who demonstrates outstanding professional achievement through teaching and scholarship, service to the university and the community, and professional leadership, nationally and internationally. In 2015, the honor was presented to Janet Tate, professor in the Department of Physics. Tate also received the College’s FA Gilfillan Memorial Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Science.

The D. Curtis Mumford Faculty Service Award recognizes individuals for exceptional, ongoing, dedicated and unselfish concern for and service to OSU faculty. 2015’s honoree is Alix Gitelman, professor in the Department of Statistics.

The Promising Scholar Award recognizes the scholarship of junior faculty. The 2015 recipient is Lan Xue, an associate professor in the Department of Statistics.

The OSU Impact Award for Outstanding Scholarship recognizes OSU faculty who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship in a specific project or activity resulting in substantial impact beyond the university setting. This year’s honoree is Paul Ha-Yeon Cheong, associate professor in  the Department of Chemistry.

The University Mentoring and Professional Development Award recognizes those who excel in supporting and encouraging OSU employees to participate in professional and/or educational development opportunities. The 2015 recipient is Staci Simonich, professor in the Departments of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology and in Chemistry. Simonich received double honors, also receiving the Excellence in Graduate Mentoring Award , which honors graduate faculty who have extraordinary records of excellence and effectiveness in mentoring graduate students.

The Herbert F. Frolander Graduate Teaching Assistant Award recognizes graduate students who have excelled in their capacity as teaching assistants.  For 2015, this honor is given to Christopher Almlie, a graduate teaching assistant with the Department of Chemistry and to Emerald Stacy, a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Mathematics. Read more on Emerald Stacy.

Other University Day events included the 2015 University Day OSU Expo designed to showcase the work and opportunities provided by units at OSU to fellow staff and faculty as well as a free lunch for attendees.

Welcome remarks were delivered by Faculty Senate President, Mike Bailey and the keynote presentation was made by Executive Director of Gallup Education, Brandon Busteed.

Note:  Ironically, Dr. Simonich is not pictured because she took five of her graduate students to Bordeaux, France for a conference to present their research and could not attend the award dinner.