4th Annual Distinguished Faculty Awards Ceremony

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

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

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

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

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.