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Michigan State University
Michigan State University

College of Engineering

Feb. 2, 2024

MSU College of Engineering recognizes 19 for excellence in service, contributions

Sixteen receive awards establishing through Withrow Endowed Teacher/Scholar/Service Award Program.

The Michigan State University College of Engineering recognizes 19 faculty and staff members with awards for their excellence in service and distinguished contributions.

 

Faculty and staff members are nominated each year by their colleagues, industry peers and students for the most prestigious honors the college offers.

 

“These are well-deserved awards and recognize inspiring commitment and excellence,” Engineering Dean Leo Kempel said. “I look forward to celebrating with the 2024 honorees their accomplishments and the positive impact they’ve made for the college, university and our communities as a whole.” 

 

Honorees will be presented their awards during the 2024 Engineering Awards event to be held later this year.

 

Of the 19 award recipients,16 receive awards established through the Withrow Endowed Teacher/Scholar/Service Award Program. 

 

The Withrow Endowed Teacher/Scholar/Service Award Program was created with a gift from Jack Withrow (BS, MECH EGR, ’54; MBA ’71) and Dottie Withrow (BA, speech therapy and elementary education, ’55) to recognize members of the college who have demonstrated excellence in instructional and scholarly activities and rendered distinguished service to the university and student body.

 

A new award – the Engineering Excellence Teaching Fellow Award – was created this year to honor an individual or individuals who have initiated activities to promote a positive and inclusive learning environment for their students. 

 

The 2024 Engineering Awards recipients:

 

Gloria Stragier Award

 

This award is presented to a staff member recognized for exceptional and creative job performance and/or concerned and creative leadership. 

 

 

Spartans Will Award 

 

This award is presented to a staff member who has worked in the college for at least two years and is viewed as a role model who exceeds expectations. 

 

  • Brian Wright, Electrical and Computer Engineering research and instructional equipment technologist  

 

Engineering Excellence Teaching Fellow Award

 

This award honors an individual who initiates successful activities that promote a positive and inclusive learning environment for their students. 

 

 

Withrow Excellence in Diversity Awards

 

These awards recognize faculty and staff members who demonstrate outstanding achievement in advancing diversity through research, teaching, and outreach. 

 

  • Sustained Excellence Award 

  • Assaf Gilad, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science professor 

  • Emerging Accomplishments Award

  • Caroline Szczepanski, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science assistant professor 

 

Withrow Global Leadership Award 

 

This award recognizes faculty and staff members who demonstrate outstanding achievement in advancing global scholarship through research, teaching, and outreach. 

 

  • Yadu Pokhrel, Civil and Environmental Engineering associate professor 

 

Withrow Student Service Award 

 

This award is presented to an adviser, academic specialist, or non-tenure track instructor for outstanding service to students.

 

 

Withrow Teaching Excellence Awards

 

These awards, based primarily on student nominations, recognize faculty who have created effective, enthusiastic learning environments, are accessible and dedicated to advising and mentorship. 

 

  • Ilce Medina Meza, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering assistant professor 

  • Erin Purcell, Biomedical Engineering associate professor 

  • Robert Ferrier, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science assistant professor 

  • Mahmoodul Haq, Civil and Environmental Engineering associate professor 

  • Rachel Frisbie, Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering assistant professor 

  • Emily Dolson, Computer Science and Engineering assistant professor 

  • Shaunak Bopardikar, Electrical and Computer Engineering assistant professor

  • Patton Allison, Mechanical Engineering assistant professor 

 

Withrow Exceptional Service Awards 

 

These awards, based on nominations from department chairpersons, recognize faculty who demonstrate exceptional institutional, public and community service.

 

  • Timothy Gates, Civil and Environmental Engineering professor 

  • Robert Ofoli, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science associate professor 

 

Withrow Distinguished Scholar Awards

 

These awards recognize faculty members who demonstrate excellence in scholarship.

 

Withrow Distinguished Senior Scholar 

 

  • Richard Lunt, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Johansen-Crosby professor

 

Withrow Distinguished Junior Scholar Award 

 

  • Jeffrey Nanzer, Electrical and Computer Engineering associate professor 

 

 

Written by Eric Lacy, lacyeric@msu.edu. See more at the Engineering Media and Public Relations page.