The university community is invited to the 2012 university awards ceremony on Friday, Sept. 21 (3:15 p.m., Memorial Union Sun Room). Recipients of the university's most distinguished awards for faculty and staff will be honored. A reception will follow in the South Ballroom.
Following is a list of the members of the university community who will be honored, along with explanations of their awards.
Distinguished Professor
The title of Distinguished Professor, first awarded in 1956, is presented to faculty members whose accomplishments in research or creative activities have had a significant impact on their discipline, and who have demonstrated outstanding performance in at least one other area of faculty responsibility. A $6,500 increment in base salary is granted, and the awardee retains the title for the remainder of his or her career at the university.
Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering
Dan Shechtman
Research scientist, U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory
Professor of materials science and engineering
Shechtman received the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his 1982 identification of quasicrystals. His revolutionary discovery changed scientists' understanding of how atoms arrange themselves in solids, which has impacted subsequent research and understanding in materials science, chemistry and condensed matter physics.
Distinguished Professor in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Jonathan Wendel
Professor and chair of ecology, evolution and organismal biology
Wendel is considered a world leader in the study of the evolutionary and genomic consequences of genome doubling – or polyploidy – and especially how gene function changes in response to instances of gene duplication. Wendel has received several awards for his teaching, research and departmental leadership.
University Professor
The title of University Professor is bestowed on a faculty member who has acted as a change agent by having made significant contributions to the university, and who has demonstrated outstanding performance in at least one other area of faculty responsibility. A $6,000 increment in base salary is granted, and the awardee retains the title for the remainder of his or her career at the university.
Steven Herrnstadt
Professor of art and design
Herrnstadt has integrated art and design with digital technology, creating opportunities for faculty, students and staff in the College of Design and beyond. He is a founding faculty member of the interdisciplinary human computer interaction graduate program. Herrnstadt also helped biology faculty create Meta!Blast, the educational video game with accurate 3D representations of cell parts.
Gordon Miller
Professor of chemistry
Miller continuously works to strengthen the chemistry curriculum for undergraduate and graduate students in chemistry. He established a mechanism to introduce first-year students to research opportunities, and he enhanced lab safety with new lab courses and procedures for students, staff and faculty. He has an active and widely recognized research program in complex alloys and magnetic refrigeration.
James Oliver
Larry and Pam Pithan Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Professor of industrial and manufacturing systems engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and aerospace engineering
Since becoming director of the Virtual Reality Applications Center in 2003, Oliver has expanded the center's research efforts from engineering-centric to university-wide, and its faculty collaborators now come from every college. Iowa State's human computer interaction graduate program, which he helped develop a decade ago, has become one of the largest and most prominent in the country and a model for interdisciplinary programs.
Regents Award for Faculty Excellence
The award is presented by the Board of Regents to recognize faculty members who are outstanding university citizens and who have rendered significant service to the university or the state of Iowa. A $1,000 award is granted.
Thomas Greenbowe
Professor of chemistry and of curriculum and instruction
Greenbowe is considered by many as the "go-to guy" when it comes to chemistry education in Iowa. Since coming to Iowa State in 1990, he has taught chemistry to 25,000 students and has been an active learning workshop facilitator for 2,500 chemistry teachers. He has generated more than $5 million in external grant support.
Helen Jensen
Professor of economics
Jensen's research on the economics of nutrition addresses some of the most pressing issues challenging our nation today -- hunger, obesity, food safety, animal health, biological terrorism, food prices and food sufficiency. For the past 22 years, her advice and counsel have been sought out by policy makers, the food industry and consumer groups on the state, national and international levels.
Suraj Kothari
Professor of electrical and computer engineering and of computer science
Kothari has provided outstanding teaching, research and service to Iowa State for 28 years, bringing in nearly $6 million in external funding, publishing 70 scientific articles, obtaining four patents and supervising 56 master's and doctoral students. He also was the catalyst behind the new software engineering degree program launched in 2007.
Daniel Loy
Professor of animal science
As a faculty member and extension beef specialist for the past 30 years, Loy has led the development of technological improvements for beef producers to make their operations more efficient and Iowa beef more competitive economically. He currently serves as director of the Iowa Beef Center, the university's extension program to cattle producers.
James Werbel
Professor of management
Werbel teaches a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses, consistently receiving high marks from students. His strong research record includes the publication of more than 40 refereed articles in leading management journals, four books and monographs. Werbel also has led four Fulbright Scholar assignments.
Regents Award for Staff Excellence
The award is presented by the Board of Regents to recognize members of the Professional and Scientific or Supervisory and Confidential staff who are outstanding university citizens and who have rendered significant service to the university or the state of Iowa. A $1,000 award is granted.
David Baker
Extension program specialist
Baker's passion for helping young farmers is evident in his role as an Extension specialist for the Beginning Farmer Center. He has facilitated matches for 64 young people with non-related retiring farmers, and he has worked with more than 260 families to help transition their farming operations to the next generation.
Nathan Brockman
Curator, Reiman Gardens
Brockman is curator of the Butterfly Wing at Reiman Gardens where he involves university classes in his workshops and projects, and incorporates his own interests in origami, kite flying and hydroponics into programs for visitors. In addition, he has made the butterfly rearing process more efficient, and conducted butterfly longevity research.
Stephen Heideman
Program coordinator, department of chemistry
Heideman has spent 33 years making sure the laboratories and support systems in the chemistry department operate smoothly and correctly. As laboratory coordinator, he plays a key role in laboratory experiments and assessments, equipment acquisition, renovations and new construction, as well as information technology resources and online course management.
Laura Moreland
Office copy center supervisor, Printing and Copy Services
Moreland joined ISU in 1983 in the administrative data processing department and transferred to Printing and Copy Services the following year. She has held various positions within the office and production areas of the copy centers. She has an extensive knowledge about printing processes and digital files, which has helped many clients.
Louis Thompson Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award
Established by the late Louis Thompson, emeritus associate dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the award recognizes an outstanding teacher who is dedicated to helping undergraduate students. A $1,500 award is granted.
Ann Marie VanDerZanden
Professor of horticulture
VanDerZanden has been recognized by the American Society for Horticultural Science and the North American College Teachers of Agriculture for her exemplary knowledge and teaching effectiveness in preparing future professionals in horticulture. She is the co-author of three college textbooks, and has created an interactive online case study program that is used by several other universities.
Curtis Youngs
Associate professor of animal science
Youngs has developed several novel courses at Iowa State, including a bioethics honors seminar and the only embryo transfer lecture and lab course available to undergraduate students in the United States. His courses are among the most popular in the department, and graduating seniors consistently rank him first or second among faculty who teach required courses.
James Huntington Ellis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Introductory Teaching
Established by a 1928 Iowa State graduate, the award recognizes a faculty member for exceptional achievement in teaching introductory courses. A $1,500 award is granted.
Kenneth Holscher
Associate professor of entomology
Holscher has provided teaching excellence for students at Iowa State for three decades, and he has shown a superior proficiency for engaging students in large introductory classes. Part of his teaching philosophy is never to forget what it's like to be a student. His student evaluations are high, and he has received seven teaching awards from student organizations.
Margaret Ellen White Graduate Faculty Award
Established by a long-time staff member of the Graduate College, the award recognizes superior performance by a member of the graduate faculty in enriching the student-professor relationship and enabling students to finish their work in a timely and scholarly manner. A $1,500 award is granted.
Jack Dekkers
Professor of animal science
Dekkers leads the animal breeding and genetics research group. Graduate students in that group, both past and present, say he has been their greatest professional mentor; that is he one of the most intelligent, fair and articulate professors they have worked with; and that he has taught them how to look at scientific problems differently.
International Service Award
The award recognizes a faculty member for outstanding international service in teaching, research or administration within the United States or abroad. A $1,500 award is granted.
Chad Gasta
Associate professor of world languages and cultures
Gasta's contributions to internationalization significantly have impacted curricula and programs across the university. The result has been new collaborations among disciplines, departments and colleges. His leadership of the study abroad program in Spain has included faculty from multiple disciplines, providing more than 500 students with a unique learning experience.
Award for Departmental Leadership
The award recognizes outstanding departmental leadership that helps faculty members meet their complex obligations to undergraduate teaching, graduate mentoring, research and service. A $1,500 award is granted.
Patrick Halbur
Professor and chair, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine; and professor of veterinary pathology
Halbur made the transition from private practice to academia in 1990. His record has been one of stunning advancement, both for himself and in the programs he has led. He has been a section leader, interim associate dean, interim department head and since 2006, chair of VDPAM and executive director of the vet diagnostic lab.
Award for Early Achievement in Teaching
The award recognizes a tenured or tenure-track faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding teaching performance unusually early in his or her career. A $1,500 award is granted.
Jana Byars
Assistant professor of history
Byars is a scholar on early modern Europe and the Mediterranean region. She is described by colleagues and students as a "dedicated and passionate teacher," and her students praise her energy and commitment. Byars' teaching style emphasizes critical thought, discussion and writing.
Chun Kit (Jason) Chan
Assistant professor of psychology
Chan incorporates research on the effects of testing on memory, false memories and eyewitness testimony into his courses on cognitive psychology and research methods. Students say they don't mind taking his tests because it's like being a part of his research. Chan involves undergraduate students in his research lab, which they attribute to their future success.
Joseph Zambreno
Associate professor of electrical and computer engineering
Zambreno's teaching excellence encompasses undergraduate and graduate courses, laboratory development and instruction, honors programs, student research supervision, student mentoring, student design competition, innovative pedagogy and scholarship of teaching and learning. He also has strengthened the curriculum through his research into computer architecture and computer security.
Award for Academic Advising Impact
The award recognizes outstanding performance by an academic adviser over an extended period of time. A $1,500 award is granted.
Kevin Schilling
Associate professor of music and theater
Over the last 30 years, Schilling has advised more than a thousand students and has trained all of the current department advisers in the department of music. He is the permanent head of the department's curriculum committee, and he has developed and implemented a series of seminars to help students design and navigate their degree programs.
Award for Early Achievement in Academic Advising
The award recognizes outstanding performance by an academic adviser early in his or her career. A $1,500 award is granted.
LeQuetia Ancar
Academic adviser, agricultural and biosystems engineering
Ancar is consistently evaluated as one of the top advisers in her department. Her colleagues say she is an outstanding mentor for all aspects of the student experience. She coordinates the Technology Learning Community, and plays an important role in the department's recruitment, retention and diversity activities.
Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research
The award recognizes a faculty member who has a national or international reputation for contributions in research, and who has influenced the research activities of students. A $1,500 award is granted.
Carolyn Cutrona
Professor of psychology
An accomplished social science researcher, Cutrona's research focuses on close relationships and the role of contextual influences on well-being and social relationships. She has published nearly 85 tier-one journal articles and chapters, and has received more than $12 million in research funding. Cutrona's work has been cited nearly 8,500 times, and her research has influenced generations of social scientists and policymakers.
Brent Shanks
Mike and Jean Steffenson Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Shanks is director of the National Science Foundation's Center for Biorenewable Chemicals (C-BiRC). Its success under his leadership has resulted in NSF committing to a second five years of funding, for a total commitment of $30 million. Shanks' own research in catalysis has raised more than $40 million.
Award for Mid-Career Achievement in Research
The award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated exemplary research performance or scholarship accomplishments as documented by peers and experts in the field. A $1,500 award is granted.
Hui Hu
Associate professor of aerospace engineering
Hu has developed an array of test techniques, including multidimensional flow vector and temperature field, quantum dot thermal, and laser-induced fluorescence. The scope of his work ranges from wind turbines to microfluidics, insect flight, fuel atomization and aircraft icing. He has obtained more than $7 million to support his research.
Daniel Nettleton
Laurence H. Baker Endowed Chair in Biological Statistics and professor of statistics
Nettleton is recognized internationally for his original and effective methods for solving some of the most challenging statistical issues arising from genomics and bioinformatics research. His numerous groundbreaking contributions in statistics, genomics, bioinformatics and plant and animal science have helped several research groups at Iowa State become world leaders.
Award for Early Achievement in Research
The award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments unusually early in his or her professional career. A $1,500 award is granted.
Mayly Sanchez
Assistant professor of physics and astronomy
Sanchez is a leading researcher in the study of the neutrino, one of the most elusive elementary particles in matter, including its oscillation properties. Sanchez's outstanding leadership qualities are evident through her collaborative research at the Fermi National Laboratory, Batavia, Ill.
University Professional and Scientific Research Award
The award recognizes excellence in research in a Professional and Scientific staff member who has been at Iowa State for at least five years. A $1,500 award is granted.
Sergey Bud'ko
Scientist, U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory
Adjunct professor of physics and astronomy
Bud'ko has made significant contributions to condensed matter and materials physics for 25 years. As a permanent member of Distinguished Professor Paul Canfield's internationally acclaimed research team, Bud'ko has made numerous discoveries and observations that have contributed to advancements in magnetic materials and superconductivity.
Award for Achievement in Economic Development in Iowa
The award recognizes individuals or teams of faculty or professional and scientific staff for outstanding ISU-based achievements in advancing the economic development of the state of Iowa. A $1,500 award is granted.
David Bogaczyk
Director of the Iowa procurement technical assistance program for the Center for Industrial Research and Service
Bogaczyk helps Iowa companies win contracts with local, state and federal government agencies. Under his direction, Iowa companies have received contracts totaling more than $500 million with these agencies, enabling them to expand, add thousands of jobs and strengthen Iowa's economy. He also established the Iowa Veterans Procurement Conference to assist veteran-owned businesses.
Delbert (Hank) Harris
Professor of animal science and of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine
Harris has accomplished what many entrepreneurial faculty dream of: Establish his own business while maintaining faculty excellence. As a faculty member, he has developed the multi-site approach to hog production, which helps large producers avoid large losses from herd diseases. He also has started two successful pharmaceutical companies that serve the livestock industry.
Award for Achievement in Intellectual Property
The award recognizes individuals or teams of faculty or professional and scientific staff for outstanding ISU-based achievements in producing intellectual property. A $1,500 award is granted.
Nick Christians
University Professor of horticulture and agronomy
Christians discovered that corn gluten meal could serve as a 'green' weed control and source of nitrogen for desirable crops. He refined and developed his discovery with a zeal that has become his trademark at Iowa State. Thanks to his initial discovery, subsequent patents and a broad array of commercial products, Christians has brought honor, acclaim and monetary benefit to the university, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the horticulture department.
Professional and Scientific Staff Excellence Award
The award recognizes contributions made by a professional and scientific staff member within and beyond the university, and career progress demonstrated by accomplishments at Iowa State. A $1,500 award is granted.
Kerry Dixon-Fox
Architect and capital project manager, facilities planning and management
Dixon-Fox has been helping Iowa State become a more efficient, sustainable and beautiful campus for 17 years. As a project coordinator and former customer relations specialist, she has helped numerous campus units improve their facilities and services. As the coordinator of sustainable campus design and construction, she also is a leader of the university's LEED initiative.
Soma Mitra
Academic fiscal officer, College of Business
Mitra's colleagues praise her abilities in fiscal management, budget analysis, and human resource policies and procedures. They also say she volunteers for anything that benefits the college. Her volunteering enthusiasm carries over into several professional organizations and community activities.
Patricia Swanson
Extension families specialist in human development and family studies
Swanson's work in personal finance at Iowa State, statewide and nationally over the past 18 years has benefited thousands of clients and brought significant recognition to the university. She has been a pioneer in the use of educational technology and has a long record of outstanding service and leadership to her professional associations.
Carroll Ringgenberg Award
Named for a former long-time staff member in purchasing and facilities, the award recognizes a professional and scientific staff member who has been employed by the university for at least 10 years and has demonstrated constant and contagious dedication and goodwill for Iowa State. A $1,500 award is granted.
Nancy Qvale
Administrative specialist, department of civil, construction and environmental engineering
Qvale's experience and broad range of knowledge make her the "go-to" person in the department. Her positive personality and generous ways attract those seeking help. Qvale's colleagues say she is dedicated to Iowa State and has a strong desire to continually make the university a better place.
Professional and Scientific Outstanding New Professional Award
The award recognizes a professional and scientific staff member who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments unusually early in his or her professional career at Iowa State. A $1,500 award is granted.
Nancy Girard
Program coordinator, University Museums
As the educator of visual literacy and learning for University Museums, Girard is committed to arts education. She has developed innovative ways to reach new audiences and create connections with other disciplines. Her visual and art literacy programs have reached more than 12,000 students on campus since 2009.
Ann Staudt
Program coordinator, department of agricultural and biosystems engineering
Staudt is responsible for conservation education outreach programs, including "Conservation Station," a 22-foot trailer equipped with a rainfall simulator and interactive demonstrations, and "Conservation Pack," a program she created to show how people can work together to improve the environment. The programs have been experienced by 15,000 people at 114 community events since they were launched in 2010.
Award for Outstanding Achievement in Extension or Professional Practice
The award recognizes a faculty or staff member who has demonstrated outstanding performance in statewide leadership in extension or professional practice and who has achieved national recognition for outreach activities. A $1,500 award is granted.
John Mabry
Professor of animal science and director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center
Mabry is widely recognized for effectively strengthening Iowa's pork industry, being named an Honorary Master Pork Producer by the Iowa Pork Producers Association and receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the National Pork Board.
Award for Distinguished Service in Extension
The highest award bestowed on an Extension professional, it recognizes sustained distinguished performance and educational contributions to Iowa State's clientele through extension programs. A $1,500 award is granted.
Sherry Glenn
Assistant vice president for Extension and Outreach
In her 25 years of service to Iowa State, University Extension and Iowa, Glenn has played a key role in many of Extension's transitions. She has successfully obtained more than $3 million in grants to support projects, written and led award-winning diversity education programs, led international development teams, and served on numerous task forces and special assignment teams.
Award for Early Achievement in Extension or Professional Practice
The award recognizes a faculty or staff member who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in extension or professional practice unusually early in his or her career. A $1,500 grant is awarded.
Michael Anderson
State 4-H program specialist
In his six years with ISU extension, Anderson has brought significant innovation and forward-thinking to the 4-H livestock program. Under his leadership, Iowa was the first state in the nation to transition 4-H livestock enrollment and identification to an online system, and the first to create a comprehensive online livestock judging program. He also coordinates the 4-H livestock shows at the Iowa State Fair each year.
R.K. Bliss Extension Award
Named for the director of Extension from 1912 to 1946, the award recognizes outstanding achievement of an Iowa State Extension staff member for developing an overall or continuing extension education program. A $500 award is granted.
Cindy Baumgartner
Field specialist, family and consumer sciences extension
Baumgartner has served the people of northeast Iowa with excellence and distinction, first as a 4-H and youth specialist and currently as a nutrition, health and wellness educator. She co-authored the award-winning national 4-H character education curriculum, "Boomerang," and has written several other widely used nutrition, food safety and health curricula.
Endowed chairs and professorships
Holders of endowed chairs and professorships who were installed in their positions during the past academic year or who will be installed shortly are:
Bruce Babcock
Professor of economics
Cargill Chair in Energy Economics
Jennifer Blackhurst
Associate professor of supply chain and information systems
Walker Professorship in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Christina Bloebaum
Professor of aerospace engineering
Dennis and Rebecca Muilenburg Professorship
Eric Burrough
Assistant professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine
Boerhinger Ingelheim Vetmedica Professorship in Food Animal Infectious Diseases
Sumit Chaudhary
Assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering
Northrop Grumman Professorship in honor of Fred O'Green
Kristen Constant
Professor and chair, materials science and engineering
Wilkinson Professor in Interdisciplinary Engineering
Ian Dobson
Professor of electrical and computer engineering
Arend J. and Verna V. Sandbulte Professorship
Jonathan Fox
Professor of human development and family studies
Ruth Whipp Sherwin Endowed Professor
Randall Geiger
Professor of electrical and computer engineering
Tunc and Lale Doluca Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Eulanda Sanders
Professor of apparel, educational studies and hospitality management
Donna R. Danielson Professorship in Textiles and Clothing
Levi Stanley
Assistant professor of chemistry
Carlyle G. Caldwell Endowed Chair in Chemistry
David White
Associate professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering
Richard L. Handy Professorship
