UMKC recognizes extraordinary work and talent

Eighteen faculty and staff to be honored for outstanding achievements

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – UMKC is set to honor 18 faculty and staff for their outstanding achievements in research and creative activity, teaching, student mentoring, service and engagement. The fourth annual event – Celebrating Excellence – will take place from 3 – 5 p.m., Monday, March 12 at the Student Union, Multi-Purpose Room 401, 5100 Cherry St.

“‘Celebrating Excellence’ showcases extraordinary individuals in the classroom and on campus who have been recognized by their peers for their exceptional work and talent,” said Gail Hackett, Ph.D., executive vice chancellor and provost. “These individuals are representative of the great work that goes on in every academic unit and division across our campus.”

Staff Awards:

Richard “Richie” Bigham, Manager of Admissions, School of Dentistry, Human Resources Campus Collaboration Staff Award

(Elizabeth) Ann Hubbard, Administrative Assistant, Department of Political Science, College of Arts and Sciences, Chancellor’s True Unsung Hero Staff Award

Julie Koch, Continuing Education Coordinator, Conservatory of Music, Chancellor’s Education First Staff Award

Yvonne McCommon, Administrative Assistant, Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Student Affairs Student Mentor Staff Award

Teaching Awards:

Nancy Levit, Curators’ Professor, School of Law, Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching

Jared Bruce, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, Chancellor’s Early Career Award for Excellence in Teaching

Stephen Dilks, Professor, Department of English Language and Literature, College of Arts and Science, Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching

Deepankar “Deep” Medhi, Curators’ Professor, Computer Science Electrical Engineering Department, School of Computing and Engineering, Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Mentoring

Regina Grindstaff, Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Biological Sciences, Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching

Sean O’Brien, Associate Professor, School of Law, Elmer F. Pierson Good Teaching Award – Law

John Stuart Munro, Professor, School of Medicine, Elmer F. Pierson Good Teaching Award – Medicine

Clarence “C.W.” Elrod, Clinical Professor, School of Dentistry, Elmer F. Pierson Good Teaching Award – Dentistry

Doranne Hudson, Associate Teaching Professor/Executive-in-Residence, Henry W. Bloch School of Management, Elmer F. Pierson Good Teaching Award – Bloch

Research Awards:

Deepankar “Deep” Medhi, Curators’ Professor, Computer Science Electrical Engineering Department, School of Computing and Engineering, N.T. Veatch Award for Distinguished Research and Creative Activity

Qiang “John Q.” Wang, Professor, Department of Anesthesiology/Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, UMKC Trustees Faculty Fellowship Award

Richard “Ricky” Allman, Assistant Professor, Art & Art History, College of Arts and Sciences UMKC Trustees Faculty Scholar Award

Aidan Soder, Assistant Professor, Vocal Studies, Conservatory of Music, UMKC Trustees Faculty Scholar Award

Service and Engagement Awards:

Jannette Berkley-Patton, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Community Engagement

Charles Wurrey, Olson Professor and Curators’ Teaching Professor Emeritus, Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Chancellor’s Award for Career Contributions to the University

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience. For more information about UMKC, visit www.umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.


Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .
  • Recent UMKC News

    $20 Million Scholarship Article in The Kansas City Star

    KC Scholars partnership also in U.S. News and World Report … Read more

    Geosciences Professor’s Research Cited in New York Times

    Fengpeng Sun co-authored study on California wildfire seasons The 2015 … Read more

    Bloch Faculty Interviewed on NBC Nightly News

    Brent Never teaches about Kansas City’s racial dividing line Never … Read more

    More