University honors faculty, staff with annual awards

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State honored the efforts of its faculty and staff in teaching, advising, service and outreach on April 21.

The award winners are:

Undergraduate Faculty Teaching Awards

• The Milton S. Eisenhower Award for Distinguished Teaching: Lauraine Hawkins, professor of biology, Penn State Mont Alto.
• The George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching: Robert Beaury, interim director and instructor for entrepreneurship and engineering leadership minors in the College of Engineering; Nathan Greenauer, assistant professor of psychology at Penn State Berks; Timothy W. Kelsey, professor of agricultural economics; Megan L. Nagel, professor of chemistry at Penn State Greater Allegheny; Nicholas J. Rowland, associate professor of sociology at Penn State Altoona; and Jaime Schultz, associate professor of kinesiology.
• The Penn State Teaching Fellow: The Penn State Alumni Association Award for Excellence in Teaching: Deborah Eicher-Catt, professor in the communication arts and sciences, Penn State York; Shirley Moody-Turner, associate professor of English and African-American studies; and Craig R. Zabel, department head and associate professor of art history.
• The Penn State Excellence in Advising Award: Leif Jensen, distinguished professor of rural sociology and demography; and Michael Stella, academic adviser, Penn State Berks.
• The President's Award for Excellence in Academic Integration: Marica S. Tacconi, professor of musicology and associate director of the School of Music.
• The President's Award for Engagement with Students: Bernard J. Jansen, professor, College of Information Sciences and Technology.
• The Undergraduate Program Leadership Award: Kathleen Mastrian, associate professor of nursing, Penn State Shenango.

Graduate Faculty Teaching Awards

• The Howard B. Palmer Faculty Mentoring Award: Carolyn E. Sachs, professor of rural sociology and women's studies.
• The Graduate Faculty Teaching Award: Nilam Ram, associate professor of human development and family studies.
• The Graduate School Alumni Society Graduate Program Chair Leadership Award: Donna Korzick, professor of physiology and kinesiology.

Faculty Scholar Medals:

• Squire J. Booker, professor of chemistry; Kim Cook, professor of music in cello; Shyam Sundar, distinguished professor in the College of Communications, Mauricio Terrones, professor of chemistry.

Faculty and Staff Achievement Awards:

• The McKay Donkin Award: Caroline D. Eckhardt, professor of comparative literature and English.
• The Award for Administrative Excellence: Michael J. Gilpatrick, director of planning and institutional management, Smeal College of Business.
• Staff Excellence Award: Nicola Kiver, executive assistant to the dean in the College of the Liberal Arts.
• Support Staff Award: Denise Brooks, administrative support assistant, Penn State Behrend.
• The Barash Award for Human Service: AnneMarie Mingo, assistant professor of African American and women's studies.
• The Dr. James Robinson Equal Opportunity Award: Borja Gutierrez, faculty lecturer in Spanish and administrative supervisor of Spanish 2 and 3.
• The W. LaMarr Kopp International Faculty and Staff Achievement Award: Sophia A. McClennen, professor of international affairs and comparative literature; and Ruth Pflueger, director of the Learning Resource Center at Penn State Behrend.
• The Penn State Award for Faculty Outreach: Roger Finke, distinguished professor of sociology and religious studies.
• The Shirley Hendrick Award: Daad Rizk, financial literacy manager for Outreach and Online Education.
• The Penn State Community Engagement and Scholarship Award: Daniel Perkins, professor in the Department of Agriculture, Sociology and Education and director of Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness.