Professor Laureate Award
The Professor Laureate Award is the college’s highest academic honor, bestowed upon dedicated faculty with outstanding contributions to the missions of research, teaching, mentoring and outreach. The designation is intended to honor recipients and to provide the college with exceptional role models. The title is held for three years and includes an honorarium and two years of research funding.
2020 Award Recipients
Jennifer L. Mueller, Mathematics
Charles S. Henry, Chemistry
2019 Award Recipients
Jennifer DeLuca, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Mingzhong Wu, Physics
2018 Award Recipients
Debbie Garrity, Biology
Ernie Chavez, Psychology
2017 Award Recipients
Dan Cooley, Statistics
Melissa Reynolds, Chemistry
2016 Award Recipient
Anthony Rappé, Chemistry
2015 Award Recipients
Jennifer A. Hoeting, Statistics
Debbie Crans, Chemistry
2014 Award Recipients
Robert B. France, Computer Science
Carl E. Patton, Physics
2013 Award Recipients
Patricia A. Bedinger, Biology
F. Jay Breidt, Statistics
2012 Award Recipient
Steven H. Strauss, Chemistry
2011 Award Recipients
Lorann Stallones, Psychology
Laurie Stargell, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
2010 Award Recipients
Adele Howe, Computer Science
N. LeRoy Poff, Biology
2009 Award Recipients
2008 Award Recipients
Ellen Fisher, Chemistry
Alan Knapp, Biology
2007 Award Recipients
Michael Elliott, Chemistry
Jennifer Nyborg, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
A.S.N. Reddy, Biology
2006 Award Recipients
Norman Curthoys, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Richard Davis, Statistics
Jerry Deffenbacher, Psychology
Teaching and Mentoring Awards
The Teaching and Mentoring Awards were established in 1995 to recognize faculty and graduate students that have set a standard of excellence in the teaching and mentoring of students. These awards are the highest honor the College bestows for student education. Recipients not only help students realize their full learning potential, but encourage them to set high standards for scholarship, integrity, and independence, and are receptive to their concerns. Award winners are recommended to the dean and reviewed by a committee that includes previous award winners drawn from both faculty members and graduate students and an undergraduate student council member.
2019-2020 Award Winners
Early Career Faculty Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring
Joseph Zadrozny, Department of Chemistry
Professor Zadrozny is committed to innovation in inorganic chemistry and to implementing evidence-based teaching methods. As two examples, he has introduced the “Molecule of the Day” concept to engage immediately students as they enter his classroom, and the “think-pair-share” model for enhancing active student participation. He has also successfully mentored postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students and two high school students in his laboratory, providing a range of opportunities and paying keen attention to their individual goals and trajectories.
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and Mentoring
Joseph Gersch, Department of Computer Science
Professor Joseph Gersch has developed critically important new courses on cyber security and blockchain courses with the goal of making these courses engaging and highly interactive. He has served as advisor for the Hashdump cyber-security club, coaching teams to success in international hackathons. Joseph provides strong support for diversity efforts within Computer Science, mentoring students through independent study, encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship and providing valuable individual advice gathered throughout his career at HP and in startup companies.
Jeffrey Hansen, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Professor Hansen has taught Comprehensive Biochemistry (BC 401) for over a decade to classes of 90-100 students. BC 401 is a foundational, yet pivotal course in biochemistry, building on multiple earlier classes with the goal of relating structure of macromolecules to their function. Since three-dimensional structure is crucial to function, Jeff has developed online tutorials using Jsmol, to interactively render the 3D structure of macromolecules, proteins and biological polymers, including DNA. Through mentoring undergraduate research in his laboratory, Jeff has provided not only a unique learning environment to multiple students, but the opportunity to contribute to the forefront of the field through co-authored journal articles.
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Education and Mentoring
Jana Anderson, Department of Statistics
Professor Anderson was instrumental in founding the Master of Applied Statistics (MAS) program ten years ago and has overseen its implementation and development over the past decade. The MAS program now receives ~100 applications and graduates 25 students per year. Professor Anderson has developed and taught multiple courses in the program, developed an internship program, and started separate certificate programs. Her work has had a significant impact on the lives of the more than 200 students who have graduated from the program.
Garret Miyake, Department of Chemistry
Professor Miyake runs an outstandingly productive research laboratory, as measured not only by degree completion, but through refereed journal articles with student authors, and by his students receiving external awards and winning competitive funding that catapults them towards successful careers. I was eager to learn Professor Miyake’s secret sauce from the nomination letters provided by his students. Ingredients appear to be consistent individual attention, an emphasis on a sound technical foundation and individual problem solving, and a strong focus on communication.
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring
Alex Fout, Department of Statistics
Alex Fout’s achievements go well beyond his excellent teaching in the classroom and in the Statistics Success Center, and volunteering to teach an extra course to help a colleague with health difficulties. Alex was a key member of a group funded by the Provosts Digital Learning Initiative to redevelop STAT 158 (Introduction to R) and include instructional videos, online homework and assessments. Alex is also the founding advisor for the university data science club (The 4th Paradigm), mentored undergraduate research and served for several years as an instructor for Coding and Cookies. He has assisted CSU recruitment efforts through presentations to High School career counselors.
Ashlie Johnson, Department of Psychology
Since completing the course “Integrating Writing in the Academic Core” (E-608), Ashlie Johnson has diligently built on this experience and is now seen as a leader and expert on topics related to supporting student writing. She has supervised and managed teams of Graduate Teaching Assistants and Writing-GTAs for PSY 100. Ashlie has helped to redesign PSY 317 and created a new course, the Psychology of Eating. Perhaps nowhere has her expertise been so evident as in her highly successful and smooth transition to the online environment with her class of around 150 students.
Julie Prosser, Department of Psychology
Julie Prosser is an outstandingly popular teacher for the students in her two sections of PSY 100, no minor feat considering the 175 students in each section! Julie has also taken the graduate course “Integrating Writing in the Academic Core” (E-608) and now co-leads the gtPathways training for new GTAs and W-GTAs assigned to PSY100. She has participated in two TILT grants, including the Adaptive Courseware Grant (2018-19) and the Canvas Outcomes Grant (summer-fall of 2019) and given presentations to TILT’s Faculty Collaboration Group and the Professional Development Institute on teaching-related topics, such as Strategies of Create Classroom Climate, and Student Engagement.
Dean’s Recognition Award
Alicia Armentrout, Department of Physics
Alicia grew up in Omaha, NE and attended college at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA. She started at CSU in August 2017 after years of experience in non-profits and education. When not working, you will find her cooking, enjoying the outdoors, reading, and looking forward to the time we can travel again.
Korina Burn, Dean’s Office
Korina Burn is the executive assistant to Dean Jan Nerger. In her role she provides administrative and program support to the Dean and college, coordinating all faculty related processes including promotion and tenure, reappointment, and annual performance. She also oversees the administrative support staff and operations for the Dean’s Office. Prior to joining the College in 2017, she was assistant to the chair in Chemistry for 8 years, and with Central Receiving for 21 years, with her last role as manager of the Mail Production and Mail Distribution units. During her free time, Korina enjoys spending time with her family, playing games and enjoying the outdoors.
Anne Manning, Strategic Communication and Public Relations
Anne Manning is a science writer and senior public relations specialist with CSU’s News and Information team, part of the Division of University Communications. She is a close collaborator with the College of Natural Sciences’ communications team. She joined the CSU staff in 2015 following a career in newspaper journalism and university science communication. At CSU, she is responsible for helping to elevate the brand and public presence of the university’s research enterprise, writing about and promoting scientific news and discovery from the College of Natural Sciences, the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering, and the College of Agricultural Sciences.
2018-19 Award Recipients
Outstanding Career Contributions in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Brian Jones, Department of Physics
Early Career Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Erin Nishimura, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Kate Ross, Department of Physics
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Tom Santangelo, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Rachel Mueller, Department of Biology
Graduate Student Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring
Ryan Rahm-Knigge, Department of Psychology
Dean’s Recognition Award
Karen Kahler, Department of Chemistry
Ross Madden, College of Natural Sciences
2017-18 Award Recipients
Dean’s Recognition Award
Meagan Taverner, Biology
Jannine Mohr, Office of General Council
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Ben Prytherch, Ph.D., Statistics
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Delphine Farmer, Ph.D., Chemistry
Early Career (Pre-Tenure) Faculty Excellence in Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Jessica Hagman, Ph.D. , Mathematics
Graduate Student Teaching & Mentoring Award
Pam Lundeberg, Psychology
Annalise Maughan, Chemistry
Charles Vollmer, Statistics
2016-17 Award Recipients
Dean’s Recognition Award
Margi Cech, College of Natural Sciences
Betty Wilmoth, Chemistry
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Joseph Diverdi, Ph.D., Chemistry
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Colleen Webb, Ph.D., Biology
Early Career (Pre-Tenure) Faculty Excellence in Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Jamie Neilson, Ph.D. , Chemistry
Dan Sloan, Ph.D., Biology
Graduate Student Teaching & Mentoring Award
Lauren Bates, Psychology
2015-2016 Award Recipients
Dean’s Recognition Award
Lisa Anaya Esquibel, Sponsored Programs
Heather L. Michalak, Little Shop of Physics
Robert Adame, Physics Machine Shop
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Eric D. Ross, Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Mary C. Meyer Ph.D., Statistics
Early Career (Pre-Tenure) Faculty Excellence in Teaching and/or Mentoring Award
Amber T. Krummel Ph.D., Chemistry
Jaime G. Ruiz, Ph.D., Computer Science
Graduate Student Teaching & Mentoring Award
Samuel T. Dunn, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology
Hillary Wehe, Psychology
Zachary D. Weller, Statistics
2014-2015 Award Recipients
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Christopher G. Wilcox, Ph.D., Computer Science
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Shane Kanatous, Ph.D., Biology
Melissa Reynolds, Ph.D., Chemistry
Early Career Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching or Mentoring
Brian McNaughton, Ph.D., Chemistry
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching
Elizabeth Harp, Biology
Graduate Student Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Sarah Morrison-Smith, Computer Science
2013-2014 Award Recipients
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Shrideep Pallickara, Ph.D., Computer Science
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Matthew P. Shores, Ph.D., Chemistry
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Education & Mentoring
Asa Ben-Hur, Ph.D., Computer Science
Early Career Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching & Mentoring
Santiago Di Pietro, Ph.D., Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Graduate Student Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Sarah Warner Fitzpatrick, Biology
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching
Francis C. Motta, Mathematics
Crystal M. Vander Zanden, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
2012-2013 Award Recipients
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Edward L. DeLosh, Ph.D., Psychology
Patrick D. Shipman, Ph.D., Mathematics
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Lisa Angeloni, Ph. D., Biology
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Education & Mentoring
Donald L. Mykles, Ph.D., Biology
Post-Doctoral Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
E. Dale Broder, Biology
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching
Janet M. Peters, Psychology
2011-2012 Award Recipients
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Jennifer Jill Harman, Ph.D., Psychology
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Charles S. Henry, Ph.D., Chemistry
Early Career Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching or Mentoring
Lisa Angeloni, Ph.D., Biology
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Education and Mentoring
Eugene Y. Chen, Ph.D., Chemistry
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching
Leif Anderson, Physics
Erin M. Schliep, Statistics
2010-2011 Award Recipients
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Education and Mentoring Award
Kurt Kraiger, Ph.D., Psychology
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching Award
Charles F. Stone, Biology
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award
Aaron J. Sholders, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award
Simon J. Tavener, Ph.D., Mathematics
Early Career (pre-tenure) Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching or Mentoring Award
Mingzhong Wu, Physics
2009-2010 Award Recipients
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching
Amanda E. Sensenig, Psychology
Cassandra L. Williams, Mathematics
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Patricia A. Bedinger, Ph.D., Biology
Ross M. McConnell, Ph.D., Computer Science
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Lisa Dysleski, Ph.D., Chemistry
2008-2009 Award Recipients
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Education and Mentoring
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching
Tenaya L. Newkirk, Ph.D., Chemistry
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Gregory L. Florant, Ph.D., Biology
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Norman P. Curthoys, Ph.D., Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adele E. Howe, Ph.D., Computer Science
2007-2008 Award Recipients
Faculty Excellence in Graduate Education and Mentoring
Laurie A. Stargell, Ph.D., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching
Jacob A. Benfield, Ph.D., Psychology
Adam N. Pearlstein, Ph.D., Physics
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring
Benjamin A. Clegg, Ph.D., Psychology
Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
R. Steve Robinson, Ph.D., Physics
Faculty Excellence in Teaching & Mentoring – Early Career Award
Cameron K. Ghalambor, Ph.D., Biology
Faculty Excellence in Teaching Innovation
Karla J. Gingerich, Ph.D., Psychology
