The University of Missouri-Kansas City celebrated the achievements, contributions and dedication of outstanding faculty at the annual Faculty Recognition Event April 4 at the Olson Performing Arts Center.
“Your contributions and success reach beyond the classroom, lab and stage,” said UMKC Provost Jenny Lundgren. “As involved as you are here on campus, you contribute to the community in a way that reflects our philosophy that we are ‘Kansas City’s university.’ ”
“In addition to your teaching and research, many of you have been the closest resource for a student who was struggling – either academically or personally,” she added. “We know that many students will look back and realize the value of your time and dedication. They will recognize that they couldn’t have done it without you.”
UMKC Chancellor Mauli Agrawal also spoke and praised all the award recipients.
“Our faculty are critical to the success of UMKC,” Agrawal said. “Just look at how we have been able to increase our research awards and how we have improved our student retention and graduation rates. To give you an idea – we have doubled our research expenditures to $53 million over the past four years and we anticipate that we will almost triple the annual external grants over this same period. We have the highest student graduation rates and student retention rates in more than a decade. Let us not forget that it is you, along with our staff, who has made this happen. Be proud.”
The faculty awards presented were:
The N.T. Veatch Award for Distinguished Research and Creativity
Masud Chowdhury, School of Science and Engineering
UMKC Trustees Faculty Fellowship Award
John Spertus, School of Medicine
Elmer F. Pierson Good Teaching Awards
Catherine Boles, School of Dentistry
Ryan Copus, School of Law
Emily Hillman, School of Medicine
Karen Landay, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Provost’s Award for Excellence in Early Career Teaching, Tenure Track
Owen Belcher, Conservatory
Provost’s Award for Excellence in Early Career Teaching, Clinical and Teaching Faculty
Jessica Magaña, School of Science and Engineering
Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence in the Mid-Career/Senior Career, Tenured Faculty
Candace Schlein, School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences
Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence for Mid-Career/Senior Career Faculty, Clinical and Teaching Faculty
Darla McCarthy, School of Medicine
Provost’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring
Yugyung Lee, School of Science and Engineering
Awards for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Researchers, Scholars and Artists
Alison Graettinger, School of Science and Engineering
Paul Rulis, School of Science and Engineering
Jeff Rydberg-Cox, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Chancellor’s Award for Embracing Diversity
Jennifer Waddell, School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences
Gail Williams, University Libraries (posthumously)
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Community Engagement
Stefanie Ellison, School of Medicine
Joe Parisi, Conservatory
Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Leadership
Gerald Wyckoff, School of Pharmacy
Chancellor’s Award for Career Contributions
Roger Sommi, School of Pharmacy