2017-2018 University Teaching Awards Presented

April 8, 2018 Emily Packard 5-min. read

NC State recognized more than 30 faculty for their dedication to teaching, mentoring and innovation at the 2017-2018 University Teaching Awards Ceremony on April 4.

Melissa A. Pasquinelli received the University of North Carolina Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching, the most prestigious award given to faculty for teaching excellence. The award process is coordinated by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost and the Office of Faculty Development. In 1993, the UNC Board of Governors established the award to underscore the importance of teaching and to encourage, identify, recognize, reward and support good teaching within the UNC university system. Each college may nominate one candidate for this award, with one candidate selected as the overall winner.

Pasquinelli is a professor and associate head in the Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science (TECS) in the College of Textiles. She is also the director of graduate programs for TECS, the director of the Laboratory of Multiscale Modeling from the Nanoscale in the College of Textiles and the associate director of the Analytical Instrumentation Facility in the College of Engineering. She teaches a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses such as computer modeling and engineering thermodynamics, while continuously seeking new ways to challenge and engage her students.

Pasquinelli also mentors students ranging from high school to the postdoctoral level, often including these promising scientists and engineers on her research team. Since 2010, Pasquinelli has been a member of NC State’s Academy of Outstanding Teachers. In 2014, she was named a University Faculty Scholar and Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor. In 2016, she received the Peer Faculty Mentoring Award from the College of Engineering.

At NC State commencement on May 12, Pasquinelli will be presented with a medallion and a cash prize by a member of the Board of Governors. The Memorial Belltower will be lit red in her honor at a time of her choosing.

Also nominated for the award were:

Mark S. Beasley, Deloitte Professor of Enterprise Risk Management, Department of Accounting
Gary B. Blank, director of undergraduate programs, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
John W. Carroll, professor, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
John R. Godwin, professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Shannon E. Phillips, associate professor, Department of Animal Science
Carl A. Young, associate professor, Department of Teacher Education and Learning Sciences

The Gertrude Cox Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching and Learning with Technology was presented to two individual faculty and a team of faculty and staff members and postdoctoral scholars:

Helen Armstrong, associate professor, Department of Graphic Design and Industrial Design
Jason T. King, teaching assistant professor, Department of Computer Science
The Cosco Team:
- Nilda G. Cosco, research associate professor, director of programs for the Natural Learning Initiative, Department of Landscape Architecture
- Muntazar Monsur, postdoctoral research scholar, Department of Landscape Architecture
- Robin C. Moore, professor, director of Natural Learning Initiative, Department of Landscape Architecture
- Benjamin M. Huckaby, lead interaction designer/developer, academic technology innovation, Distance Education and Learning Technology Applications
- Jakia Salam, instructional designer, academic technology innovation, Distance Education and Learning Technology Applications

The award, first given in 2002, honors the creative pedagogy of NC State’s faculty and technical staff and their work in integrating new technologies into effective teaching strategies. Gertrude Cox, “The First Lady of Statistics” and the award’s namesake, came to NC State in 1940 to establish the university’s distinguished Department of Statistics.

The Outstanding Teacher Award was presented to the following faculty members:

William A. Boettcher III, associate professor, Department of Political Science
Matthew J. Bryant, assistant professor, director of Intelligent Structures and Systems research lab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Timothy W. Buie, associate professor, Department of Graphic Design and Industrial Design
Francis L. de los Reyes III, professor, Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
Joel Casey Dietrich, assistant professor, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
Lisa C. Duff, lecturer, Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences
April D. Fogleman, assistant professor, Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences
Maria T. Gallardo-Williams, teaching associate professor, director of undergraduate organic laboratories, Department of Chemistry
Shelley E. Garrigan, associate professor, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
Bonnie V. Hancock, lecturer, director, Enterprise Risk Management Initiative, Department of Accounting
Irvine Keith Heyward, teaching associate professor, demoroom manager, Department of Physics
Stephanie B. Jeffries, director, Environmental First Year Program, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
Tara Z. Mullins, director, NC State Dance Program
Travis D. Park, associate professor, Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences
Jeffrey M. Pollack, associate professor, Department of Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Catherine A. Warren, professor, Department of English
Angela M. Wiseman, associate professor, Department of Teacher Education and Learning Sciences

The award recognizes excellence in teaching at all levels. Faculty must receive the Outstanding Teacher Award in order to be eligible for the Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Award.

Recipients of the Outstanding Teacher Award become members of the Academy of Outstanding Teachers for as long as they remain NC State faculty. Recipients’ names are published in the commencement program.

The Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Award was presented to the following faculty members:

Kimberly A. Bush, teaching associate professor, director of undergraduate programs, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Jennifer L. Campbell, teaching associate professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Laura I. Clarke, professor, Department of Physics
Sarah S. Heckman, teaching associate professor, Department of Computer Science
Sara G. Queen, associate professor, director of First Year Experience, Department of Architecture
D. Scott Showalter, professor of practice, Department of Accounting

The award, coordinated by the Provost’s Office and the Office of Faculty Development and sponsored by the NC State Alumni Association, is one of the most prestigious undergraduate awards given on campus. Up to six recipients will receive this recognition each year and retain their title for the duration of their career as an NC State faculty member. A cash award will be presented to each recipient at the Alumni Faculty Awards Reception on April 23, and award recipients will be honored at commencement.