- 1 Gregory Welk, 2023 Distinguished Professor
- 2 Tin-Shi Tam, 2023 University Professor
- 3 Mitchell Squire, 2023 Morrill Professor
- 4 Al Jergens, 2023 Regents Award for Faculty Excellence awardee
- 5 Don Sakaguchi, 2023 Award for Impact on Student Success awardee
UNIVERSITY HONORS AND AWARDS
Each year Iowa State University recognizes the excellence of faculty and staff accomplishments through the conferring of university awards. With these awards, we celebrate faculty and staff who have demonstrated their commitment to learning, discovery, and engagement which are the cornerstones of Iowa State's land-grant mission.
We encourage individuals, programs, departments, and colleges to nominate their most prominent faculty and staff for one of the available awards. Most nominations will be routed through an academic department, college, or extension by a specific internal deadline. College deadlines for 2023-2024 range from November to January. Nominators should check with their units regarding internal deadlines. Final nominations to the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost must be submitted online by February 10 (or the next business day).
To ensure review by selection committees, nominations for all university awards must be electronic and in the required format. Important Note: For questions or concerns, contact Dawn Bratsch-Prince, deprince@iastate.edu or Kati Gorman, 294-6410, kati@iastate.edu. Click here. These college deadlines in 2023-2024 are for the University Awards to be conferred in Fall 2024. Colleges forward their nominations to the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost by February 10. Agriculture and Life Sciences College Guidelines For most awards November 21, 2023 (3rd Tuesday in November) For Distinguished, University, and Morrill Professor January 15, 2024 Ivy College of Business December 1, 2023 College Guidelines Design January 12, 2024 College Guidelines Engineering December 15, 2023 College Guidelines Human Sciences December 8, 2023 (2nd Friday in December) College Guidelines Liberal Arts and Sciences December 1, 2023 College Guidelines Veterinary Medicine December 11, 2023 College Guidelines
2023
Amy Bix - History
Neal Iverson - Geological and Atmospheric Sciences
Christopher Tuggle - Animal Science
Kejin Wang - Civil, Construction and, Environmental Engineering
Gregory Welk - Kinesiology
2022
Diane Bassham - Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology
Lance Baumgard - Animal Science
Douglas Gentile - Psychology
Sri Sritharan - Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
Xinwei Wang - Mechanical Engineering
2021
Dean Adams - Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Carolyn Cutrona - Psychology
Duane Johnson - Materials Science and Engineering
Reuben Peters - Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology
2023
Jared Danielson - Veterinary Pathology
Kimberly Greder - Human Development and Family Studies
Mitchell Squire - Architecture
Curtis Youngs - Animal Science
2022
Steve Butler - Mathematics
Amanda Fales-Williams - Veterinary Pathology
Kevin Schalinske - Food Science and Human Nutrition
Jonathan Sturm - Music and Theatre
2021
Locke Karriker - Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine
Charles Kostelnick - English
Steven Lonergan - Animal Science
2023
Daniela Dimitrova - Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
Marit Nilsen-Hamilton - Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology
Tin-Shi Tam - Music and Theatre
2022
Tunde Adeleke - History
Elisabeth Lonergan - Animal Science
2021
Claire Andreasen - Veterinary Pathology
Michael Golemo - Music and Theatre
Daniel Loy - Animal Science
Distinguished Professor
The title of Distinguished Professor, first awarded in 1956, is Iowa State's highest academic honor. It recognizes a faculty member whose accomplishments in research or creative activities have had a significant impact on their discipline nationally or internationally and who has demonstrated outstanding performance in at least one other area of faculty responsibility. Nominees must hold the rank of professor and have served at least five years on the Iowa State faculty. The awardee retains the title for the remainder of their career at the university.
- Amy Bix, professor, history
- Neal Iverson, professor, geological and atmospheric sciences
- Christopher Tuggle, professor, animal science
- Kejin Wang, professor, civil, construction and environmental engineering; and Wilson Professor of Engineering
- Gregory Welk, Barbara E. Forker Professorship in Kinesiology
University Professor
The title of University Professor is awarded to a faculty member who has acted as a change agent by making significant contributions to improve the university and who has demonstrated outstanding performance in at least one other area of faculty responsibility. Nominees must hold the rank of professor and have served at least 10 years on the Iowa State faculty. The awardee retains the title for the remainder of their career at the university.
- Daniela Dimitrova, LAS dean's professor, Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
- Marit Nilsen-Hamilton, professor, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology
- Tin-Shi Tam, Charles T. and Ivadelle Cobb Cownie Professor of Music
Morrill Professor
The title of Morrill Professor is conferred on a faculty member who has exhibited excellence in undergraduate or graduate teaching or extension and outreach programs and who has demonstrated outstanding performance in at least one other area of faculty responsibility. Nominees must hold the rank of professor and have served at least five years on the Iowa State faculty. The awardee retains the title for the remainder of their career at the university.
- Jared Danielson, professor, veterinary pathology; and associate dean, College of Veterinary Medicine
- Kimberly Greder, professor, human development and family studies
- Mitchell Squire, professor, architecture
- Curtis Youngs, professor, animal science; and Ensminger Endowed Chair of International Agriculture
Regents Award for Faculty Excellence
The award is presented by the state Board of Regents to recognize tenured faculty members who are outstanding university citizens and have rendered significant service to the university or the state of Iowa.
- Matt Darr, professor, agricultural and biosystems engineering
- Carol Faber, associate professor, graphic design
- Matt Frank, professor, industrial and manufacturing systems engineering; and John B. Slater Professor in Sustainable Design and Manufacturing
- Al Jergens, professor, veterinary clinical sciences; and Donn E. and Beth M. Bacon Professorship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery
Regents Award for Staff Excellence
The award is presented by the state Board of Regents to recognize professional and scientific or merit staff who are outstanding university citizens and have rendered significant service to the university or the state of Iowa.
- Ben Drescher, director of agriculture, animal science
- Tammy Krock, secretary, veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine
- Bill Robertson, program specialist, biomedical sciences
- Katie Woodard, lead public health veterinarian, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
- Meimei Xu, research scientist, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology
Award for Inclusive Excellence
The award recognizes faculty, professional and scientific staff and merit staff who have advanced the university's mission of diversity, equity and inclusion beyond their usual job responsibilities.
- Francis Owusu, professor and chair, community and regional planning
International Service Award
The award recognizes a faculty member for outstanding international service in teaching, research or administration within the United States or abroad.
- Nell Gabiam, associate professor, world languages and cultures
Award for Impact on Student Success
The award recognizes outstanding achievement by professional staff and faculty who have a sustained impact on undergraduate student success. This positive impact may be with individual students or a group of students, inside or outside the classroom.
- Experiential Programs Team, Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship: Alex Andrade, Sam Dilocker, Megan Graettinger, Ashley Sawyer and Jean Walsh
- Don Sakaguchi, Morrill Professor, genetics, development and cell biology
- Svitlana Zbarska, coordinator, undergraduate research program (campuswide)
Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching
The award recognizes a faculty member for outstanding teaching performance over an extended period of time.
- Frank Montabon, Dean's Professor, supply chain management
- Louis Thompson Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching designation: Jean-Pierre Taoutel, professor, world languages and cultures
Award for Early Achievement in Teaching
The award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding teaching performance unusually early in their career.
- Lynna Chu, assistant professor, statistics
- Bruce Kraft, professor of practice, finance
- Elizabeth McNeill, assistant professor, food science and human nutrition
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.
- Eric Underbakke, associate professor, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology
Award for Departmental Leadership
The award recognizes a department chair or school director who has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities in advancing the faculty, staff, students and programs in their department.
- Susan Cross, professor and chair, psychology
Award for Early Achievement in Departmental Leadership
The award recognizes the exceptional impact of a department chair or school director within the first three years of their leadership role.
- Michael Kimber, professor and chair, biomedical sciences
Award for Academic Advising Impact
The award recognizes outstanding performance by an academic advisor over an extended period of time.
- Jenny Baker, teaching professor, civil, construction and environmental engineering
- Deborah Holmes, assistant director of academic advising, College of Liberal Arts advising services
Award for Early Achievement in Academic Advising
The award recognizes outstanding performance by an academic advisor early in their career.
- Rhaechel Ohge Fritz, academic advisor, Ivy College of Business
- Sarah Wehner, academic advisor, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research
The award recognizes a tenured faculty member who has a national or international reputation for contributions in research and/or creative activity.
- Wenyu Huang, professor, chemistry
- Mike Wannemuehler, professor, veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine
Award for Mid-Career Achievement in Research
The award recognizes a tenured or tenure-track faculty member who has demonstrated exemplary performance or scholarship in research and/or creative activity as documented by peers or experts in the field.
- Aaron Rossini, associate professor, chemistry
- Zengyi Shao, associate professor, chemical and biological engineering
Award for Early Achievement in Research
The award recognizes a tenured or tenure-track faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in research and/or creative activity unusually early in their professional career.
- Thomas Iadecola, assistant professor, physics and astronomy
- Shira Zerbib, assistant professor, mathematics
Interdisciplinary Team Research Award
The award recognizes an interdisciplinary team of two or more faculty researchers with outstanding achievements who have made a significant contribution to the university's research and scholarship mission through successful interdisciplinary collaborations.
ENDURE (Electric Network Disaster Mitigation for Utilities in Rural Environment ) Team:
- Alice Alipour and Behrouz Shafei, associate professors, civil, construction and environmental engineering
- Ian Dobson, professor; electrical and computer engineering; and Arend J. and Verna V. Sandbulte Professorship in Engineering
- William Gallus, professor, geological and atmospheric sciences
- Anne Kimber, director, Electric Power Research Center
- Gary Taylor, professor, community and regional planning
- Robin McNeely, manager, and Amy Logan, research scientist, GIS Support and Research Facility
- Himar Hernandez, assistant program director, and Mary Weinand, community development specialist, community and economic development, ISU Extension and Outreach
Professional and Scientific Research Award
The award recognizes a professional and scientific staff member employed at Iowa State at least five years for excellence in research.
- Cai-Zhuang Wang, senior scientist, Ames National Laboratory
Award for Achievement in Economic Development in Iowa
The award recognizes individuals or teams of faculty or professional and scientific staff for outstanding university-based achievements in advancing the state of Iowa's economic development.
- CIRAS Manufacturing 4.0 Team: Troy Crowe, Mark Facile, Andrew Friend, Kirk Haaland, Rachel Hahn, Eric Higgins, Kira Kistner, Adam Lathrop, Gayle Mastbergen, Derek Thompson, Jeff White and Steve Wilson
- Rick Sanders, director and president, ISU Research Park
Award for Achievement in Intellectual Property
The award recognizes individuals or teams of faculty and professional and scientific staff for outstanding university-based achievements in producing intellectual property.
- Kyoungjin Yoon, professor, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine
Carroll Ringgenberg Award
Named for a longtime staff member in purchasing and facilities, the award recognizes an extraordinary professional and scientific staff member who exhibits constant and contagious dedication to and goodwill for Iowa State.
- Chris Strawhacker, campus planner, facilities planning and management
Professional and Scientific 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.
- Kate Goudy, programs manager, human development and family studies
- Jeff Mitchell, meat processing specialist, animal science
- Patrick Wall, beef specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach
Professional and Scientific Outstanding New Professional Award
The award recognizes a professional and scientific staff member who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments unusually early in their professional career.
- Karen Barker, grant specialist, College of Veterinary Medicine
- Jim Jordahl, project analyst, natural resource ecology and management
- Claire Kruesel, undergraduate program coordinator, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology
R.K. Bliss Extension Award
Named for the director of Extension from 1912 to 1946, the award recognizes outstanding achievement of an extension staff member for developing an overall or continuing extension education program.
- Rich Wrage, regional director (Boone, Carroll, Greene and Guthrie counties), ISU Extension and Outreach
Award for Distinguished Service in Extension and Outreach
The highest award bestowed on an extension professional recognizes sustained distinguished performance and educational contributions to Iowa State's clientele through extension programs.
- Russ Euken, livestock specialist, region 3, ISU Extension and Outreach
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 has achieved national recognition for outreach activities.
- Garland Dahlke, research scientist, agriculture, ISU Extension and Outreach
- Eric Burrough, professor, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine
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 their career.
- Beth Reynolds, state specialist, Iowa Beef Center, ISU Extension and Outreach
Click here for a list of past award recipients.
Zengyi Shao, 2023 Award for Mid-Career Achievement in Research awardee
Jean-Pierre Taoutel, 2023 Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching and the Louis Thompson Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching designation awardee