UCO Honors Faculty and Staff at 2024 Fall Convocation
Aug. 19, 2024
The University of Central Oklahoma recognized faculty and staff for their contributions to the Central community at its annual Faculty and Staff Convocation.
The event featured UCO President Todd G. Lamb, who kicked off the 2024-25 academic year with a motivating, positive address, thanking the university’s faculty and staff for their dedication and sharing his vision for the future of the university.
President Lamb and Charlotte K. Simmons, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, presented several awards to faculty and staff during the event.
Recipients of the Faculty Merit Credit Awards, presented in the categories of research, teaching and service are:
- Breana Downey, Ph.D., assistant professor of Department of Psychology, in the category of research
- Jerry Green, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Humanities and Philosophy, in the category of service
- Kelly Temple, associate professor of art in the College of Fine Arts and Design, in the category of teaching
The Making a Difference Award is given to a randomly selected faculty or staff member who has donated to the university within the past calendar year. The recipient gets to choose a reserved parking spot anywhere on campus. The 2024 recipient is Catherine Coelis, legal assistant in the Office of General Counsel.
The Vanderford Faculty Award is given to a faculty member in support of undergraduate research, creative and scholarly activity. The award is funded by the estate of Central alumni Austin and Cleo Patra Vanderford. The 2024 recipient is Brittany Bannish, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
The Vanderford Engagement Awards are given to faculty for demonstrating exceptional leadership. Recipients are chosen by the university president. The 2024 recipients are:
- Scott Singleton, Psy.D., professor in the Department of Psychology
- Susan Woods, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Human Environmental Sciences
The Neely Excellence in Teaching Award, funded by Central graduate J. Gail Neely, M.D., in honor of his parents, El Roy C. Neely and Lucile Hawker Neely, recognizes faculty for a hunger for knowledge and support of education. The 2024 Neely Award recipients are:
- Tara Dalinger, Ph.D., associate professor in the Donna Nigh Department of Advanced Professional and Special Services
- Ryan Meeks, instructor of music in the College of Fine Arts and Design
The Herbert S. Dordick Award for an Outstanding Mentor is given to a faculty or staff member for mentoring students in their freshman year. Established in 1998, the award honors Herbert S. Dordick, Ph.D., beloved mentor of Robert Epstein, Ph.D., UCO professor emeritus of management. The 2024 Dordick Award recipient is Sunshine Cowan, Ph.D., professor in the Dr. Virginia Peters Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies in the College of Education and Professional Studies.
The Morgan Stanley Modeling the Way Awards are given to three members of the UCO community who consistently lead by example and live the mission, values and goals of the university. The 2024 Modeling the Way recipients are:
- Marilyn Govich, D.M.A., professor of applied voice in the School of Music
- Melissa Powers, Ph.D., professor in the Dr. Virginia Peters Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies
- William Unsell, laboratories manager for the Department of Biology
The Vanderford President's Initiative Award recognizes faculty who demonstrate exceptional initiative in support of the values of character, civility and community – or the three "Cs" – along with leadership and creativity. This year's recipient is David Chapman, Ph.D., professor of finance in the College of Business.
The Citizens Bank of Edmond Leadership and Civic Engagement Award is given to a faculty or staff member that leads by example and is involved in the community. This year's recipient is Holly Osburn, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Management Department in the College of Business.
The Exceptional Performance Awards are given to staff members that reflect the innovative, passionate and student-centered focus that Central embraces. This year's recipients are:
- Michael Henricks, project director for TRIO in Student Support Services
- Beth Hawkins, office manager for LX Studios
- Julio Mata, manager of media services in the Office of Information Technology
The Exceptional Group Performance Award is an award given to a group or unit that passionately reflects the innovative and student-centered focus of Central. This year's award winner is the UCO Bronchos Athletics Division led by Vice President for Athletics Stan Wagnon.
The Masonic Endowment for Transformative Learning Awards, presented by the Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma, is given to organizations that exemplify the university's commitment to provide transformative learning experiences to its students.
This year's first-place winner is the Be Broncho Fit program, led by Larissa Boyd, Ph.D., program director and associate professor of kinesiology and health studies. Tied for second place were Cold Case Central and the Student Academy of Forensic Sciences.
The MidFirst Bank Presidential Award in Applied Leadership is given to an individual or individuals with outstanding contributions to the goals, objectives and high standards of professionalism at UCO. The 2024 recipients are Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Charlotte Simmons, Ph.D.; Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success Christopher Lynch; and, Vice President for Finance and Operations Kevin Freeman.
Also presented were the Vanderford Teaching Awards to faculty members during their academic college meetings. The 2024 recipients are:
- Barbara Carter, Ph.D., professor of curriculum and instruction in the College of Education and Professional Studies
- Evan Shough, Ph.D., professor of accounting in the College of Business
- Emily Hendryx Lyons, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Mathematics and Science
- Mark Scott, associate professor of mass communication in the College of Liberal Arts
- Ryan Meeks, instructor in of music in the College of Fine Arts and Design.
For more information about the University of Central Oklahoma, visit www.uco.edu.
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Devan Wielgos