4th Annual Distinguished Faculty Awards Ceremony

By University Marketing & Communication

March 19, 2021

Last night, Dixie State University held its 4th Annual Distinguished Faculty Awards Ceremony. Working at a university is a lifestyle, not just a career path, and we thank all of our faculty for being a part of our DSU family. Our faculty exemplify our value of Grit and what it means to be Trailblazers.

We are grateful to those who joined us as we recognized the many individuals who have helped to elevate this incredible institution. The Distinguished Faculty Awards (Distinguished Instructor, Distinguished Service, Distinguished Teaching, and Distinguished Professor) honor faculty who demonstrate a record of sustained excellence in all aspects of University life. The awards recognize faculty members who, through their own outstanding achievements, have enriched the University and the community they serve. Nominees are nominated by fellow faculty members.

The Distinguished Instructor award goes to a full-time, tenure-track faculty, who has passed intermediate review, and has at least entered into their 4th year at DSU. This faculty member has demonstrated sustained excellence in service to the University, their department, their profession, and to the community. Their service is impactful and leads to student and community success.

Finalists:

James Richards – College of Business
Karen Goodfellow – College of Science, Engineering and Technology
Lori Newell – College of Health Sciences
Dr. Yukie Saito – College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Distinguished Instructor Awardee

It was a great surprise to be nominated, an honor to be a finalist, and exceptionally wonderful to have won! I love teaching Oceanography and Environmental Science at the GE level. Being able to give students a whole new perspective on the world around them is a gift I hope they will carry with them their whole life. Being recognized for those efforts is amazing.

- Karen Goodfellow, College of Science, Engineering & Technology

The Distinguished Service award is given to a tenure-track faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding service to students, their department, college, profession, the University, and/or the community as a whole. The winner of this award showcases the embodiment of the DSU pioneering spirit of service.

Finalists:

Dr. Vinodh Chellamuthu – College of Science, Engineering and Technology
Dr. Adriana Brandt – College of Education
Dr. Cindy King – College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Distinguished Service Awardee

I am humbled and honored to be a recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Service award. I wouldn’t be here without the faith, support, and encouragement of many people. First and foremost, I would like to thank the Dixie State community. At DSU, I discovered the joy of collaborating with colleagues who continually innovate and question everything. I’m also extremely grateful for my many colleagues at Dixie State with whom I served and learned to support our students and community in a greater way.

- Dr. Vinodh Chellamuthu, College of Science, Engineering & Technology

The Distinguished Teaching award goes to a full-time, tenure-track faculty member who has passed intermediate review. The award is given to someone who has demonstrated creative and effective teaching methods, and challenges students to help them succeed and thrive in the classroom and in their chosen profession.

Finalists:

Dr. Kristy Grayson – College of Business
Dr. Adriana Brandt – College of Education
McGarren Flack – College of the Arts
Dr. Macey Buker – College of Health Sciences
Dr. Jessica Abbott – College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Dr. Jie Liu – College of Science, Engineering and Technology

Distinguished Teaching Awardee

It was a complete surprise to be awarded distinguished teacher for DSU, because I know there are a lot of teachers that work hard and strive to excel in educational pedagogy. It was an honor to be a recipient of the award. Thank you DSU.

- McGarren Flack, College of the Arts

The Distinguished Professor award goes to an associate or full-time, tenured professor who has at least entered into their 7th year at DSU. It recognizes someone who has demonstrated a comprehensive record of sustained excellence across multiple categories of achievement, including but not limited to, creativity in the classroom, service to the University, and participation in scholarly research. The winner of this award is someone who has elevated DSU through their time here and has blazed the trails for others to follow.

Finalists:

Sara Gallo – College of the Arts
Dr. Verl Anderson- College of Business
Dr. Angie Child- College of Education
Dr. Stephen Armstrong – College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Dr. Rico Del Sesto – College of Science Engineering & Technology

Distinguished Professor Awardee

Winning the 2021 Distinguished Professor Award from Dixie State University is the highlight of my professional career. This institution, which employs many, many wonderful people, has given so much to me, and I will always be grateful.

- Dr. Stephen Armstrong, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

To all our faculty who work tirelessly to ensure your classes are taken care of, your students are getting the best possible education, and our institution is a place where everyone feels welcome, thank you. We also wish to acknowledge the hard work of all our faculty, especially during this very unusual and difficult year.

Congratulations again to all of our awardees!

Special thanks to President and First Lady Williams, Trustee Chairman David Clark and his wife Nan, Faculty Senate President Bill Christensen, Susan Ertel, Helen Saar, Vice Chairwoman Tiffany Wilson and her husband Scott, and Provost Michael Lacourse and his wife Sally; University Deans Brenda Sabey, Stephen Lee, Jeff Jarvis, Kyle Wells, Eric Pedersen, and Eli Bermudez; our student quartet Kylie Hunter, Abigail Smedberg, Jeanette Blake, and Ethan Allen who performed; the awards committee; and our exceptional dining and guest services.