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NC State Holds 2019-20 University Teaching Awards Virtual Ceremony

Copper wolves on central campus.

NC State honored winners of the 2019-20 University Teaching Awards in a virtual ceremony on Nov. 10. The event was part of Red and White Week, the university’s annual homecoming celebration.

More than 30 faculty were recognized for their commitment to educational excellence, with awards including: the Outstanding Teacher Award, Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Award, Gertrude Cox Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching and Learning with Technology, and the UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching.

“I firmly believe we have some of the most outstanding faculty members in the UNC System,” said Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Warwick Arden. “Their continued dedication to excellence in teaching, even in the face of a global pandemic, is what makes NC State a great university.”

The Outstanding Teacher 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.

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

  • Kimberly Ange-van Heugten, teaching associate professor, Department of Animal Science
  • Katherine Annett-Hitchcock, associate professor, Department of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management
  • K.C. Busch, assistant professor, Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education
  • Jonathan Casper, associate professor, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
  • Heather Dretsch, assistant professor, Department of Business Management
  • Marc Dudley, professor, Department of English
  • Carla Fröhlich, professor, Department of Physics
  • Hsiao-Ying Shadow Huang, associate professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Naji Husseini, teaching assistant professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
  • John Meitzen, associate professor, Department of Biological Sciences
  • John Millhauser, associate professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology
  • Jennifer Neel, professor, Department of Population Health and Pathobiology
  • Wes Parker, teaching professor, Department of Music
  • Stephen Puryear, associate professor, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
  • Roby Sawyers, professor, Department of Accounting
  • Kristen Schaffer, associate professor, School of Architecture
  • Steven Shannon, professor, Department of Nuclear Engineering
  • Julianne Treme, teaching associate professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

The Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Award 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.

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

  • Gary Comstock, professor, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
  • Miles Engell, teaching associate professor, Department of Biological Sciences
  • Douglas Irving, professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
  • David McConnell, professor, Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
  • Gary Roberson, professor and extension specialist, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
  • John Russ, senior lecturer, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

The Gertrude Cox Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching and Learning with Technology first given in 2002, honors the creative pedagogy of NC State’s faculty 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 award was presented to:

  • Deborah Littlejohn, associate professor, Department of Graphic Design and Industrial Design

Hollylynne Lee received the University of North Carolina Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching, the most prestigious award given to faculty for teaching excellence. 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.

Also nominated for the award were:

  • Russell Gorga, professor, Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science
  • Hasan Jameel, Jordan Family Distinguished Professor of Natural Resource Innovation, Department of Forest Biomaterials
  • Bong-Il Jin, associate professor, Department of Graphic Design and Industrial Design
  • Russell King, Henry A. Foscue Distinguished Professor, Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
  • Paul Mulvey, associate professor, Department of Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • Shevaun Neupert, professor, Department of Psychology
  • Jacqueline Hughes-Oliver, professor, Department of Statistics
  • Shannon Phillips, professor, Department of Animal Science
  • Lysa Posner, professor, Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences

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