University Honors and Awards

To ensure review by selection committees, nominations for all university awards must be electronic and in the required format.

1. The cover page, nomination letter, all supporting materials, and CV must be combined into one pdf document. The file can be a scanned document. Do not send a zip file. The required order is:
   • university award nomination cover page
   • nomination letter and all supporting materials
   • nominee's CV or resume
2. Select a cover page. (On the cover page, check the name of award being applied for and complete the page. If the award is not listed, it is not the correct cover page.)
   • Faculty university award nomination cover page [PDF | DOC]
   • Staff university award nomination cover page [PDF | DOC]
3. When the file is prepared, nominators must submit their nominations to their college by the college deadline.
4. When the college is ready to submit their nominations, the college awards coordinator must upload the nominations to the appropriate college folder on CyBox. If you do not have access to your college's folder on CyBox, please contact Rachel Haynes, rhaynes@iastate.edu.

Important Note:

• Nominations for some staff awards may be submitted by either an individual or an employing unit. Nominations for many faculty and staff awards can only be submitted by a college. See award description for details.
• If an individual would like to submit a nomination for the specific awards listed below, they must email the complete nomination document in a single PDF to the appropriate email address listed below. The nominator will receive notification of successful submission within 10-15 minutes.
• Carroll Ringgenberg Award                                        
  • Email: award-cr@iastate.edu
• Distinguished Service in Extension and Outreach Award                                        
  • Email: award-dsext@iastate.edu
• ISU Award for Achievement in Economic Development in Iowa               
  • Email: award-isu-aaedi@iastate.edu
• ISU Award for Achievement in Intellectual Property                           
  • Email: award-isu-aip@iastate.edu
• ISU Award for Impact on Student Success
  • Email: award-ss@iastate.edu
• ISU Award for Interdisciplinary Team Research
  • Email: award-itr@iastate.edu
• ISU University Champion Award
  • Email: award-ie@iastate.edu
• Margaret Ellen White Award
  • Email: award-mew@iastate.edu
• Professional and Scientific Excellence Award                                                  
  • Email: award-ps-ea@iastate.edu
• Professional and Scientific Outstanding New Professional Award              
  • Email: award-ps-onp@iastate.edu
• Professional and Scientific Research Award                                                    
  • Email: award-ps-ra@iastate.edu
• Regents Award for Staff Excellence                          
  • Email: award-regents-se@iastate.edu
• R. K. Bliss Extension Award                          
  • Email: award-rk@iastate.edu

For questions or more information, contact Rachel Haynes, (515) 294-6410, rhaynes@iastate.edu or Dawn Bratsch-Prince, deprince@iastate.edu

These 2024-2025 college deadlines are for the university awards to be conferred in Fall 2025. Colleges forward their nominations to the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost by February 10 (or the next business day).

Explore our FAQ.

2025

Lynn Clark - Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
William Gallus - Earth, Atmosphere, and Climate
John Levis - English
Lisa Schulte Moore - Natural Resource Ecology and Management

2024

Michael Bailey - History
Hui Hu - Aerospace Engineering
Robyn Lutz - Computer Science
James Vary - Physics and Astronomy
Kan Wang - Agronomy

2023
Amy Bix - History
Neal Iverson (emeritus) - Earth, Atmosphere, and Climate
Christopher Tuggle - Animal Science
Kejin Wang - Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
Gregory Welk - Kinesiology

List of current Distinguished Professors

2025

Gustavo Macintosh - Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology

2024

Ingrid Lilligren - Art and Visual Culture

2023
Daniela Dimitrova - Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication
Marit Nilsen-Hamilton - Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology
Tin-Shi Tam - Music and Theatre

List of current University Professors

2025

Denise Crawford - School of Education
Sonja Giles - Music and Theatre
Anna Johnson - Animal Science
Suzanne Millman - Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine
Frank Montabon - Supply Chain Management
 

2024

Raj Agnihotri - Marketing
Michael Dorneich - Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Kelly Reddy-Best - Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management
Christopher Seeger - Landscape Architecture
Arthur Winter - Chemistry

2023
Jared Danielson (in memoriam) - Veterinary Pathology
Kimberly Greder - Human Development and Family Studies
Mitchell Squire - Architecture
Curtis Youngs - Animal Science

List of current Morrill Professors

Distinguished Professor

The title 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 (teaching/advising, extension/professional practice or institutional service). 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.

• Lynn Clark, professor, ecology, evolution and organismal biology
• William Gallus, professor, earth, atmosphere and climate
• John Levis, professor, English
• Lisa Schulte Moore, professor, natural resource ecology and management

University Professor

The title is awarded to a faculty member whose professional work has focused upon effecting positive, significant institutional change at the university and has demonstrated outstanding performance in at least one other area of faculty responsibility (research/creative activity, teaching/advising or extension/professional practice). 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.

• Gustavo Macintosh, professor, Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean's Professorship, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology

Morrill Professor

The title is conferred on a faculty member who has exhibited long-term and sustained excellence in undergraduate or graduate teaching or extension and outreach programs and has demonstrated outstanding performance in at least one other area of faculty responsibility (research/creative activities, professional practice or institutional service). Nominees must hold the rank of professor (tenure or term) 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.

• Denise Crawford, professor, School of Education
• Sonja Giles, professor, music and theatre
• Anna Johnson, professor, animal science
• Suzanne Millman, professor, Scott and Nancy Armbrust Professorship in Veterinary Medicine, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine
• Frank Montabon, professor, Dean's Professorship in Supply Chain Management, supply chain management

Regents Award for Faculty Excellence

Presented by the Iowa Board of Regents to recognize faculty members who are outstanding university citizens with a sustained record of excellence across the spectrum of faculty responsibilities and have rendered significant service to the university or the state of Iowa.

• Peter Collins, professor, Stanley Chair in Interdisciplinary Engineering, materials science and engineering
• Patrick Gorden, professor, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine
• Scott Nelson, associate professor, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology
• Linda Shenk, professor, English
• Erin Wilgenbusch, teaching professor, Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication

Regents Award for Staff Excellence

Presented by the Iowa 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.

• Lee Bendickson, laboratory technician, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology
• Karla Embleton, instructional technology specialist, Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching
• Teresa Kahler, record analyst, School of Education
• Cory Walker, business administrator, animal science
• Sarah Wilson, associate director, Ivy College of Business student services

University Champion Award

Recognizes faculty, professional and scientific staff and merit staff who have advanced the university's land grant mission in ways that significantly impact the environment for student, faculty or staff success at Iowa State. Their contributions may be inside or outside the classroom.

• Katherine Bruna, professor, Willie and Kathleen Robinson ISU 4U Promise Faculty Professorship, School of Education
• Scott Feinstein, assistant professor, political science

International Service Award

Recognizes a faculty member for outstanding international service in teaching, research or administration within the United States or abroad.

• Thomas Lübberstedt, professor, K.J. Frey Chair in Agronomy, agronomy

Award for Impact on Student Success

Recognizes outstanding achievement by professional staff and faculty who have had 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.

• Sarah Bennett-George, teaching professor, apparel, events and hospitality management
• Adriana Gonzalez-Elliott, associate director, Academic Success Center
• Paula Herrera-Siklody, teaching professor, physics and astronomy
• Instructional Design Team, Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching:
  • Amy Austin, instructional designer
  • Lesya Hassall, senior manager, instructional design
  • Catelyn Janda, instructional designer
  • Angi Karthik, manager instructional design
  • Melissa McCarthy, instructional designer
  • Jamie Niman, instructional designer
  • Todd Vens, instructional designer
  • Suhan Yao, instructional designer
  • Misty Zimmerman, instructional designer

Award for Achievement in Economic Development in Iowa

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.

• Peter Hong, director; and Hannah Kirkendall, program specialist; ISU Startup Factory,
  Iowa Go-To-Market Accelerator
• John Roberts, business services specialist, Center for Industrial Research and Service

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching

Recognizes a faculty member for outstanding teaching performance over an extended period.

• Christine Denison, associate professor, Roger P. Murphy Professor in Accounting, accounting
• Louis Thompson Distinguished Undergraduate Teacher designation: Kathy Burke, associate teaching professor, chemistry

Award for Early Achievement in Teaching

Recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding teaching performance unusually early in their professional career.

• Karl Kerns, assistant professor, animal science
• Scott Radke, clinical associate professor, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine

James Huntington Ellis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Introductory Teaching

Established by a 1928 Iowa State graduate, the award recognizes a member of the graduate faculty for outstanding performance in teaching entry-level courses in their discipline.

• Tyler Jensen, associate professor, finance
• Cassandra Rutherford, associate professor, Richard L. Handy Professorship, civil, construction and environmental engineering

Margaret Ellen White Graduate Faculty Award

Established by a longtime staff member of the Graduate College, the award recognizes a member of the graduate faculty who has demonstrated exceptional mentorship and measurable impact on graduate students, both during their time at Iowa State and beyond graduation. Recipients are selected by members of the Graduate and Professional Student Senate.

• Stephanie Hansen, professor, animal science
• Asheesh (Danny) Singh, professor, G.F. Sprague Chair in Agronomy, agronomy; and associate dean for research and discovery, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Award for Departmental Leadership

Recognizes a department chair or school director who has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities in advancing the faculty, staff, students and programs in their department or school.

• David Wong, professor and chair, veterinary clinical sciences

Award for Early Achievement in Departmental Leadership

Recognizes a department chair or school director for exceptional impact on advancing the faculty, staff, students or programs in their department or school within the first three years of their leadership role.

• Alex Tuckness, professor and chair, political science

Award for Academic Advising Impact

Recognizes an academic advisor (faculty or professional staff) for continued outstanding performance in advising undergraduate students or Veterinary Medicine professional students throughout their career.

• Liz Harris, academic advisor, human development and family studies
• Kelly Pistilli, senior academic advisor, Ivy College of Business undergraduate programs

Award for Early Achievement in Academic Advising

Recognizes an academic advisor (faculty or professional staff) for outstanding performance in advising undergraduate students or Veterinary Medicine professional students early in their career.

• Zack Bonner, academic advisor (humanities, communication, social sciences), College of Liberal Arts and Sciences academic services
• Kirsten Hauge, academic advisor, mechanical engineering

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research

Recognizes a tenured faculty member who has a national or international reputation for outstanding career achievements in research or creative activity as evaluated by peers and experts in their field.

• David Cantor, professor and Ruan Chair in Supply Chain Management, supply chain management
• Wenzhen Li, professor, chemical and biological engineering
• Mark Lyte, professor, W. Eugene Lloyd Chair in Toxicology, veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine

Award for Mid-Career Achievement in Research

Recognizes a tenured or tenure-track faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in research or creative activity at the mid-career stage as evaluated by peers and experts in their field.

• Jodi McGill, associate professor, John G. Salsbury Endowed Chair, veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine; and associate dean of graduate studies and research training, College of Veterinary Medicine
• Zhaoyu Wang, professor, electrical and computer engineering

Award for Early Achievement in Research

Recognizes a tenured or tenure-track faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in research or creative activity unusually early in their professional career as evaluated by peers and experts in their field.

• Jacob Simon, associate professor, physics and astronomy
• Tichakorn (Nok) Wongpiromsarn, assistant professor, computer science

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.

• Soynomics team
  • A.K. (Danny) Singh, professor, agronomy; G.F. Sprague Chair in Agronomy; associate dean for research and discovery, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Aditya Balu, data analyst, Translational AI Center
  • Liang Dong, professor, electrical and computer engineering; Vikram L. Dalal Professorship
  • Baskar Ganapathysubramanian, professor, mechanical engineering; Joseph and Elizabeth Anderlik Professorship in Engineering
  • Adarsh Krishnamurthy, associate professor, mechanical engineering
  • Fernando Miguez, professor, agronomy
  • Daren Mueller, professor, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology
  • Matt O'Neal, professor, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology; Henry A. Wallace Endowed Chair for Sustainable Agriculture
  • Soumik Sarkar, professor, mechanical engineering
  • Arti Singh, associate professor, agronomy
  • Talukder Jubery, research scientist, Translational AI Center
  • Greg Tylka, Morrill professor, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology
• Dairy Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza team
  • Todd Bell, professor, veterinary pathology
  • Eric Burrough, professor, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
  • Phillip Gauger, professor, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
  • Luis Gimenez-Lirola, associate professor, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
  • Pat Gorden, professor, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
  • Phillip Jardon, clinical associate professor, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine
  • Ganwu Li, professor, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
  • Drew Magstadt, clinical associate professor, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
  • Rahul Nelli, research assistant professor, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
  • Ariel Nenninger, assistant professor, veterinary pathology
  • Chris Siepker, clinical assistant professor, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
  • David Verhoeven, assistant professor, veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine
  • Jianqiang Zhang, Lora and Russ Talbot Endowed Professor in Veterinary Medicine; professor, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Award for Achievement in Intellectual Property

Recognizes individuals or teams of faculty and professional and scientific staff for outstanding university-based achievements in developing patentable discoveries.

• Ikenna Nlebedim, deputy division director, critical materials, Ames National Laboratory

Professional and Scientific Research Award

Recognizes a professional and scientific staff member employed at least three years at Iowa State for notable independent research accomplishments and impact as evaluated by supervisors and experts in the nominee's field.

• Makariy Tanatar, scientist, Ames National Laboratory

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.

• Garry Greenlee, associate director for facilities operations, recreation services

Professional and Scientific Excellence Award

Recognizes a professional and scientific staff member employed at least five years who has achieved excellence in their field, demonstrated by service/contributions within the university, career progression and positions held in professional organizations.

• David Bruene, senior manager, Beef Teaching Farm, animal science
• Garland Dahlke, research scientist, Iowa Beef Center, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension and Outreach
• Abbey Elder, librarian, university library
• Jie Li, technical project specialist, Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology

Professional and Scientific Outstanding New Professional Award

Recognizes a professional and scientific staff member employed fewer than five years who has achieved excellence in their field, demonstrated by service within the university, innovative ways to complete job responsibilities, and commitment to professional progression.

• Alexa Groff, STEM education specialist, 4-H Youth Development Extension and Outreach
• Sean Kelly, research and development engineer, Nanovaccine Institute
• Susheel Nethi, research scientist, chemical and biological engineering
• Abbie Suntken, registrar specialist, office of the registrar
• Kristin Terrill, program specialist, Graduate College

Award for Distinguished Service in Extension and Outreach

The highest award bestowed in extension, this recognizes a faculty, campus staff or field staff member for demonstrated, sustained outstanding performance and educational contributions to Iowa State and its clientele through extension programs.

• David Brown, state specialist, behavioral health, Health and Human Sciences Extension and Outreach

R.K. Bliss Extension Award

Named for the director of Extension 1912-46, the award recognizes outstanding achievement of an extension staff member for developing and implementing or continuing an extension education program.

• Carol Ehlers, educator, family wellbeing, Health and Human Sciences Extension and Outreach

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Extension or Professional Practice

Recognizes a faculty, campus staff or field staff member who has demonstrated outstanding performance in statewide leadership in extension or professional practice and achieved national recognition for their contributions to outreach activities.

• Russ Euken, beef and swine field specialist, Iowa Pork Industry Center, Iowa Beef Center, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension and Outreach
• Sarah Francis, professor, Jane Armstrong Chair in Food Science and Human Nutrition, food science and human nutrition, Health and Human Sciences Extension and Outreach

Award for Early Achievement in Extension or Professional Practice

Recognizes a faculty, campus staff or field staff member who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in extension or professional practice unusually early in their career.

• Julia Baker, special projects coordinator, natural resource stewardship, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension and Outreach
• Roy Sturgill, assistant professor, civil, construction and environmental engineering

Past recipients, 1956-present (PDF)