Each year, Appalachian State University’s College of Arts and Sciences recognizes several members of the faculty and staff for outstanding service, teaching or scholarly work.
Richard N. Henson Outstanding Advisor Award
Dr. Marc Kissel, assistant professor, Anthropology
From a student nominator:
“I find that he is always available to help me and will do as much as he can to help make sure that I am ready and prepared for what's to come in my career at App as well as my career after. Overall I don't think I could have asked for a better advisor to help me along with my academic future.”
Outstanding Staff Award
Monique Eckerd, research operations manager, College of Arts and Sciences
From the award committee:
“During these still uncertain times, we have many staff members who go above and beyond on a daily basis. This year's recipient is someone who has gone to great lengths to benefit not only faculty, students and staff but has also helped preserve some very important resources at our University. She risked her health to be on campus daily for the educational and scholarly mission of the University.”
Jimmy Smith Outstanding Service Award
Dr. Martha McCaughey, professor, Sociology
A nominating letter stated:
“She tirelessly writes magazine articles, contributes to blog posts, and creates and curates public exhibits, all of which highlight the broader implications of her scholarly work to society. Her work in this form of service continues to generate important public dialogue, both regionally and nationally.”
William C. Strickland Outstanding Junior Faculty Award
Dr. Kyle Stevens, assistant professor, English
He was an invited visiting scholar in the Spring of 2020 to MIT, is the author of 18 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, and serves as the Editor in Chief for New Review of Film and Television Studies. He has published three edited volumes in top-tier peer-reviewed presses including Oxford University Press.
His nominators elaborate,
“His works are indicative of stellar scholarship and proof of remarkable achievement for an early career scholar.”
Donald W. Sink Family Outstanding Scholar Award
Joseph Bathanti, McFarlane family distinguished professor in interdisciplinary education, Watauga Residential College and Department of English
To quote one of his nominators, "as an internationally renowned poet, novelist, playwright, essayist, memoirist, editor and scholar, Professor Bathanti represents Appalachian at its very best."
Non-Tenure Track Teaching Excellence Award
Dr. Amanda Howell, senior lecturer, Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences
A nominating student wrote:
“Dr. Howell is literally amazing! Give her a raise! … She was always kind. She made my day better and her teaching in one word was phenomenal. I cannot find the words to express how good of a professor she is!”
Excellence in Engagement Award
Dr. Amy Dellinger Page, professor, Sociology
Nominators said:
“Amy has tirelessly served Appalachian State and our local community to address sexual assault and domestic violence issues. Amy has worked closely and diligently in creating new campaigns and programs with OASIS (local domestic violence shelter and service organization).
These programs include bringing the ‘Red Flag Campaign’ to campus to educate students, faculty, and staff on sexual violence and abuse. ..she even delivered training to local bars and restaurants on how to recognize and respond to sexual harassment….”
CAS Inclusion Award
Dr. Carol Babyak, associate professor, Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences
As stated by the award committee:
“A colleague who has been instrumental to SOAR (STEM Opportunities are Realized), a program that aims to assist students who would benefit from extra support in math and chemistry as they transition into the rigor of college studies. She has served as her home department’s Inclusive Excellence liaison for two years, and helped draft their diversity statement, develop a student climate survey, implement a Voice to Action effort, and so much more. She has implemented flipped classroom methods and inclusive classroom techniques learned in professional development trainings in her own courses; and is now a member of the University’s IE team.”
Academy of Outstanding Teachers Award Recipients
Dr. Sushmita Chatterjee, associate professor, Interdisciplinary Studies
As a nominating colleague stated:
“Her enthusiasm and excitement about her teaching and research in postcolonial studies and transnational feminism is infectious! I have watched her talk to students on numerous occasions and she always validates what they say to her, with great enthusiasm and appreciation, then spins it out even further into new ideas and directions for thought.I know from many conversations with her that teaching is one of her true LOVES.”
Dr. Deborah Crocker, professor, Mathematical Sciences
A former student nominee noted:
“She was one of my favorite teachers I had while I attended Appalachian State. . . she was very influential in my success as a student and now as a current Math Teacher. She wasn’t a favorite teacher because her classes were easy or non-challenging, but she was a favorite of mine because of her dedication to her students. She was always very helpful in class, always had our best interests in mind, and always worked to make sure we were prepared and ready to become successful teachers when we graduated. I truly believe Dr. Crocker is a great candidate to be selected for the Academy and sincerely hope this nomination helps portray just how outstanding she is at her job.”
Dr. Michael Dale, professor, Interdisciplinary Studies
As a colleague wrote:
“Michael is the master of the seminar. His courses are small, and without fail he forges a relationship with every student; Michael understands that no significant learning can take place except in the presence of a significant relationship. But that is only the beginning. Michael then proceeds to take his students on a journey of self-discovery, with books as the primary vehicle…And the questions do not stop there....I have heard students say that no one leaves a semester with Michael without having been moved to tears at least once. Without exception, the students know the value of what they have received and they are devoted to him.”
Dr. Kara Dempsey, assistant professor, Geography and Planning
As one nominator stated:
“She is dedicated to fostering social justice, respect, creativity and awareness in her classroom by including multicultural and global components in her courses designed to support a variety of ethnic, gender, cultural and physical diversities. Her passion for teaching students is demonstrated by her high recruitment of Geography majors and outstanding student evaluations. She is a careful listener, problem solver, and brilliant researcher.”
Rick Elmore, associate professor, Philosophy and Religion
A nomination letter stated:
“Professor Elmore is one of those rare professors who can get students excited about the kind of classes that they often want to resist. By this, I mean that his classes involve topics that are controversial and emotionally challenging for students–social/ethical topics dealing with racism, capitalism, prisons, nationalism, and medical care, but I have never had a student from one his classes report that they felt dismissed or diminished.”
Dr. Tammy Wahpeconiah, professor, English
A nomination letter stated the following:
“All the work that Dr. Wahpeconiah engages in promoting inclusion and combatting racism and other forms of discrimination informs her teaching and her interactions with students. She expects students to engage deeply with the texts and concepts she teaches, and she mentors and supports students so that they can learn the skills necessary to achieve their potential…I am repeatedly astonished at how much time and effort she devotes to achieving excellence for herself and her students in the classroom.”
In 1988, The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) instituted the Academy of Outstanding Teachers and the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award to recognize excellence in teaching. There’s a high bar in the process of selection into the Academy, and inductees are selected from nominations received over the past 5 years.
Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award
Dr. Deborah Crocker, professor, Mathematical Sciences
From a former student and now colleague:
“From my first course as an undergraduate student, she has pushed my peers and myself to improve our understanding of mathematics and better ways to deliver it to our students. She emphasized the importance of always looking to improve, learn, and find more ways to reach our students. This notion has pushed me to always look for better ways to engage my students in ways that they feel valued and feel they can contribute.”
Congratulations to all our nominees and 2020-21 recipients. To view past recipients and to learn more about each award, visit https://cas.appstate.edu/faculty-staff/awards.
RICHARD N. HENSON OUTSTANDING ADVISOR AWARD 2020-21 NOMINEES
- Alice Wright (ANT)
- Jon Carter (ANT)
- Marc Kissel (ANT)
- Sophia Dent (ANT)
- Andrew Bellemer (BIO)
- Clare Scott Chialvo (BIO)
- Darren Seals (BIO)
- Erin Young (BIO)
- Howard Neufeld (BIO)
- Jason Selong (BIO)
- Lynn Siefferman (BIO)
- Matt Estep (BIO)
- Michael Gangloff (BIO)
- Carol M. Babyak (CFS)
- Jennifer Cecile (CFS)
- Robert Swarthout (CFS)
- Brett Taubman (CFS)
- Brooke Christian (CFS)
- Jefferson Bates (CFS)
- Megen Culpepper (CFS)
- Nicholas Shaw (CFS)
- Carla Penders (CASSH)
- Holly Ambler (CAS/IDS)
- Cindy Norris (CS)
- Jay Fenwick (CS)
- Raghuveer Mohan (CS)
- Alison Gulley (ENG)
- Carl Eby (ENG)
- Chris Meade (ENG)
- David Orvis (ENG)
- Donna Lillian (ENG)
- Susan Staub (ENG)
- Susan Weinberg (ENG)
- Tammy Wahpeconiah (ENG)
- Elizabeth Shay (GHY)
- Scott Marshall (GES)
- Cynthia Liutkus-Pierce (GES)
- Sarah Carmichael (GES)
- William P. Anderson Jr. (GES)
- Cathy Marcum (GJS)
- Elicka Sparks (GJS)
- Henry Wansker (GJS)
- Jeff Holcomb (GJS)
- Kristin Morgan (GJS)
- Marian Williams (GJS)
- William Hicks (GJS)
- Ellen Key (GJS)
- Nancy Love (GJS)
- Amy Hudnall (HIS)
- Jennifer Morris (HIS)
- Jonathan Billheimer (HIS)
- Jeanne Dubino (IDS)
- Joseph Gonzalez (IDS)
- Kristan Cockerill (IDS)
- Mark Nunes (IDS)
- Sushmita Chatterjee (IDS)
- Darci Gardner (LLC)
- Wendy Xie (LLC)
- Bill Cook (MAT)
- Deborah Crocker (MAT)
- Erica Slate (MAT)
- Greg Rhoades (MAT)
- Hasthika S. Rupasinghe (MAT)
- Jeff Hirst (MAT)
- Lasanthi Watagoda (MAT)
- Michael Bossé (MAT)
- Katrina Palmer (MAT)
- Vicky Klima (MAT)
- Anna Cremaldi (PR)
- Christopher Bartel (PR)
- Laura Ammon (PR)
- Ozzie Ostwalt (PR)
- Courtney McGahee (PA)
- Michael Briley (PA)
- Denise Martz (PSY)
- Jacqueline Hersh (PSY)
- James Denniston (PSY)
- Josh Broman-Fulks (PSY)
- Lindsay Masland (PSY)
- Mark Zrull (PSY)
- Pam Kidder-Ashley (PSY)
- Reagan Breitenstein (PSY)
- Sandy Gagnon (PSY)
- Timothy J. Huelsman (PSY)
- Will Canu (PSY)
- Amber Gregory (SOC)
- David Russell (SOC)
OUTSTANDING STAFF AWARD 2020-21 NOMINEES
- Sheri Clawson (BIO)
- Ellen Burnette (CAS)
- Monique Eckerd (CAS)
- Sammye B. Sigmann (CFS)
- Lauren Andersen (GHY)
- Saskia van de Gevel (GHY)
- Anthony Love (GES)
- Sarah Novak (GJS)
- Jennifer G. Coffey (SOC)
JIMMY SMITH OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD 2020-21 NOMINEES
- Donna Lillian (ENG)
- Martha McCaughey (SOC)
WILLIAM C. STRICKLAND OUTSTANDING JUNIOR FACULTY AWARD 2020-21 NOMINEES
- Cara Fiore (BIO)
- Clare Scott Chialvo (BIO)
- Raghuveer Mohan (CS)
- Abdelbaset S. Hamza (CS)
- Kyle Stevens (ENG)
- Cole T. Edwards (GES)
- Allison Fredette (HIS)
- Paul Sebastian (LLC)
- Quinn Morris (MAT)
- David Russell (SOC)
DONALD W. SINK FAMILY OUTSTANDING SCHOLARAWARD 2020-21 NOMINEES
- Robert Swarthout (CFS)
- Zackary Vernon (ENG)
- Judkin Browning (HIS)
- Joseph Bathanti (IDS)
- Baker Perry (GHY)
- Nancy Love (GJS)
- Witold Kosmala (MAT)
- Lisa Emery (PSY)
NON-TENURE TRACK TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD 2020-21 NOMINEES
- Sophia Dent (ANT)
- Mary-Caitlyn Valentinsson (ANT)
- Pablo Chialvo (BIO)
- Amanda C. Howell (CFS)
- Joel Swanson (CS)
- Heather Childress Custer (ENG)
- Kelly S. Terzaken (ENG)
- Anna Muenchrath (ENG)
- Peaches Hash (ENG)
- Caleb Johnson (ENG)
- Henry Wansker (GJS)
EXCELLENCE IN ENGAGEMENT AWARD 2020-21 NOMINEES
- Leslie Cook (ENG)
- Tammy Wahpeconiah (ENG)
- Patricia Mitchell (GJS)
- Tom Hansell (IDS)
- Carla Ramsdell (PHY)
- Jacqueline Hersh (PSY)
- Amy Dellinger Page (SOC)
CAS INCLUSION AWARD 2020-21 NOMINEES
- Carol M. Babyak (CFS)
- Department of English
ACADEMY OF OUTSTANDING TEACHERS TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Current Year Nominees
- Jennifer Cecile (CFS)
- Tammy Wahpeconiah (ENG)
- Kara Dempsey (GHY)
- Ellen Key (GJS)
- Michael Dale (IDS)
- Deborah Crocker (MAT)
- Cuong Mai (PR)
- Rick Elmore (PR)
- Jamie Yarbrough (PSY)
By Ellen Gwin Burnette
Oct. 21, 2021
BOONE, N.C.
Left to right: Monique Eckerd, College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Michael Dale, Interdisciplinary Studies; Dr. Marc Kissel, Anthropology; Joseph Bathanti, Interdisciplinary Studies/English; Dr. Tammy Wahpeconiah, English; Dr. Amanda Howell, Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences; Dr. Deborah Crocker, Mathematical Sciences; Dr. Kara Dempsey, Geography and Planning; Rick Elmore, Philosophy and Religion and Dr. Amy Dellinger Page, Sociology. Not pictured: Dr. Martha McCaughey, Sociology; Dr. Kyle Stevens, English
App State College of Arts and Sciences 2020-21 Faculty and Staff award recipients recognized at the college’s annual event, group photo by Ellen Gwin Burnette.