Dear Colleagues:
This past Tuesday, the OSU community celebrated University Day, our annual academic year launch event. It was my pleasure to host a breakfast for new employees; participate in the University Day Lecture with President and CEO of the Aspen Institute Daniel Porterfield; and celebrate employee award recipients.
Included below is a list of the colleagues we celebrated on Tuesday. The list is also available on the University Day website. Please take a moment to look through the names and send congratulations to colleagues whom you know, to recognize their accomplishments and thank them for their excellent work.
I again offer my heartiest congratulations to each of the award recipients. Your hard work and dedication are deeply appreciated, and we celebrate you!
Please note that University Day 2026 will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
With appreciation,
Roy Haggerty
Provost and Executive Vice President
2025 University Day Award Recipients
Beaver Champion Award
Awarded by the Oregon State president to a person or team for outstanding effort and achievement of excellence, going beyond what is requested and performance of the highest quality that has yielded a university wide impact.
2025 Recipient: Scott Barnes, Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Under his leadership at Oregon State since December 2016, Barnes has spearheaded multi-million dollar facility renovations and has led significant strides academically and athletically for the university's student-athletes. Barnes has also been a key leader in the recharged Pac-12 Conference, which has included the addition of new programs that will transition to the league in time for the 2026-27 athletics year.
Student Learning and Success Teamwork Award
Recognizes departments or interdisciplinary groups that have demonstrated exceptional teamwork in creating and sustaining an exemplary teaching and learning environment that advances the university’s strategic goal of student success and excellence.
2025 Recipient: General Chemistry Team: Marita Barth, Michael Burand, Denis Drolet, Margaret Haak, Jun Li, Amila Liyanage, Shrikant Londhe, Richard Nafshun, Cassie Siler, Artiom Skripka, John Terhorst, Paula Weiss, Lou Wojcinski
Oregon State’s general chemistry sequence is often a student’s first experience with college-level science. Thousands of students pursuing science degrees, as well as students from every college and Ecampus, complete the sequence. The General Chemistry Teaching Team has collaborated extensively to improve instructional practices, revamping lectures, labs and exams. In-class peer learning assistants and teaching assistants help students feel like they belong. The team’s faculty nominator notes their efforts “not only help students succeed in these courses but also help students be successful in future science courses.” They have had “a strongly positive, measurable impact” on students, most of whom are in their first year at OSU. A student nominator says, “Chemistry is a subject that students such as myself are often terrified of.” But she felt “a deep sense of relief” on the first day of class when her professor acknowledged that while chemistry could be challenging, she would always be available for questions and assistance. And she was.
Exceptional Safety Team Award
Recognizes exceptional contributions by a team toward improving the safety culture at Oregon State University.
2025 Recipient: Forest Animal Ecology Lab: James Rivers, Lily Bright, Cecelia Frisinger, Lauren Gramberg, Mark Kerstens, Ashley Mertens, Megan Sampognaro, Ethan Woodis
The Forest Animal Ecology Lab has a longstanding safety culture that is embraced by all its members. For each project the FAEL takes on, principal investigator Jim Rivers and lab members develop comprehensive crew handbooks — both print and digital — that contain an overview of the study, field protocols, crew responsibilities, safety guidelines and other relevant information. When working in the field, project-specific first-aid kits are provided for each vehicle, supplementing the basic kits supplied by the motor pool. The lab ensures all crew members receive basic first aid and CPR training and has advocated for EpiPen training. Members have served on the College of Forestry Safety Committee, sharing their expertise to elevate safety standards across the college. Faculty nominators note that when the lab collaborated on a project with Weyerhaeuser, the company’s safety team reviewed FAEL’s safety processes and “determined that further safety training by the company was not needed — an exceptional outcome given Weyerhaeuser’s high standard for safety.”
Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring by a Graduate Student Award
Awarded to an OSU graduate student who has provided significant research-related mentoring to undergraduate students within the past three years.
2025 Recipient: Jessica Karr, Ph.D. candidate, Integrative Biology, College of Science
Jessie Karr is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate studying the effects of unpredictable weather and climate change on the metabolic strategies of birds. She has mentored six undergraduate students, helping them develop their proposals, hypotheses, study designs, and statistical approaches, and then generate final reports, theses and posters. Karr’s faculty mentors say she encourages students to do their own thinking and take ownership of their research projects. She challenges them and holds high expectations, but does so “with a positive, approachable and fun attitude. She makes science accessible and rewarding.” One mentee says Karr is “incredibly kind and encouraging, but also makes sure she pushes me,” which has been imperative to her growth as a scientist. Karr has helped her develop several projects and grants, gather data and ensure questions and predictions are thoughtful and backed by research. Another mentee says Karr constantly looked for opportunities for her to be involved in research projects, experiences that will better prepare her for veterinary school.
Herbert F. Frolander Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
Recognizes a graduate student who has excelled in their capacity as a teaching assistant.
2025 Recipient: Freya Whittaker, Graduate teaching assistant, Psychological Science, College of Liberal Arts
Freya Whittaker has taken on a variety of assignments as a graduate teaching assistant. She has supported large introductory psychology sections, served as a grader for mid-sized lecture courses and led sections as an instructor of record. She has also served as an honors student thesis mentor and has mentored multiple students in the STEM Leaders program. One of Whittaker’s faculty nominators highlights her academic success and scholarly potential, along with an “unwavering dedication to social justice values in all she does.” Whittaker has evaluated teaching practices and research protocols to make them more equitable and inclusive. Another mentions how she devised a system for students to access free course materials without having to disclose financial need to their instructor. An undergraduate student says Whittaker “opened a door I didn’t know existed,” encouraging her to successfully pursue a URSA Engage scholarship. Whittaker not only taught psychology, “she modeled what it means to be a mentor, advocate and example of a successful woman in science.”
Excellence in Graduate Mentoring Award
Awarded to an OSU faculty member who best exemplifies the role of a mentor and who has provided exceptional mentoring to one or more graduate students during the previous year.
2025 Recipient: Christo Buizert, Associate professor, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences
Christo Buizert believes mentors play the single most important role in graduate student success. And luckily, he also finds it is one of the most satisfying parts of the job. So far, he has advised more than 10 graduate students in the college. One faculty nominator reports that those students “have unanimously found in him an excellent and inclusive mentor and a supportive and caring person. He encourages students to pursue their interests and seek their own path, while ensuring they continue to make forward progress toward their degree. A fifth-year Ph.D. candidate says Buizert listened to what she wanted out of graduate school and advised accordingly. “He has given me excellent advice, celebrated my successes, offered feedback in a constructive way and made me feel that I belonged in our lab.” A third-year student found working with him to be fun and engaging. “He always reminds me that my work in science is interesting and meaningful.”
Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring Award
Awarded to an OSU faculty member who best exemplifies the role of a mentor and who has provided exceptional mentoring to one or more postdoctoral scholars during the previous year.
2025 Recipient: Molly Burke, Associate professor, Integrative Biology, College of Science
Over the last eight years, Molly Burke has successfully recruited and mentored three postdoctoral scholars, two of whom have earned fellowships from the National Science Foundation. Her postdocs have played critical roles in advancing the understanding of fundamental evolutionary processes with ties to human health. One former postdoc, now a faculty colleague, describes her mentoring style as “based squarely on trust, open dialogue and mutual respect.” She always welcomed thoughtful discussion and when they disagreed on project design or data interpretation, “she listened carefully, challenged me when necessary and encouraged me to refine my thinking.” A current postdoctoral fellow who wants to pursue a career in industry says Burke has helped her build skills that are valuable both within and outside academia. Burke’s approach to mentorship goes beyond the lab, showing “a genuine investment and a sincere commitment to the growth of those she mentors. I already feel more confident as a scientist thanks to the opportunities she has provided me.”
Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring by a Postdoc Award
Awarded to an OSU postdoc who has provided significant research-related mentoring to undergraduate students within the past three years.
2025 Recipient: Lindsey Becker, Postdoctoral fellow, Botany and Plant Pathology, College of Agricultural Sciences
Lindsey Becker is a microbial ecologist whose doctoral research focused on the assembly of fungal communities in wheat seeds. As a USDA postdoctoral fellow, her current wheat research examines how plant genetic variation shapes root-associated microbes that confer drought resilience. Becker’s faculty nominator says she “generously shares her time, skills and knowledge” with students, discussing research ideas, reviewing code and demonstrating lab techniques. She encourages student to ask questions that build on her experiments and also gives them space to develop ideas and take ownership of their research. One student nominator says Becker creates a lab environment “where collaboration and curiosity thrive, while at the same time approaching work seriously and methodically.” Becker’s support “gave me the confidence to dive deeper, providing thoughtful guidance while still empowering me to make my own decisions.” Another praises Becker’s accessibility, feedback and insights, which “helped me determine that I want to continue a pathway in research and higher education.”
Postdoctoral Excellence Award
Recognizes exceptional postdoctoral scholars, fellows or research associates for their exceptional contributions to their research field, OSU and the greater postdoctoral community.
2025 Recipient: Clarissa Ribeiro Teixeira, Research associate, Marine Mammal Institute, College of Agricultural Sciences
Clarissa Ribeiro Teixeira has worked in three lab groups since coming to Oregon State in 2023. She specializes in trophic ecology and stable isotope analysis of marine vertebrates, which provides unbiased data critical to understanding their diets. Teixeira’s faculty nominators praise her “drive, critical thinking abilities, analytical skills, communication and mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students.” She is regularly sought out at the Hatfield Marine Science Center as a collaborator, colleague and mentor. She is an “extremely talented communicator and skilled scientific illustrator” who presents science in clear language and whose artistic skills have been used to develop graphical abstracts for researchers’ papers. Teixeira has mentored four undergraduate research assistants, mostly from underrepresented backgrounds. “She approaches these mentoring relationships with patience and dedication,” training them in laboratory methods, providing career advice and overseeing their internship projects. One student notes that Teixeira is “sensitive to all learning styles, encourages questions and is committed to supporting her students’ academic and professional aspirations.”
2025 Recipient: Megan Sandoval-Powers, Postdoctoral scholar, Integrative Biology, College of Science
Megan Sandoval-Powers’ dissertation research focused on microbial ecology and natural product biosynthesis, but at Oregon State, she has pivoted to evolutionary genomics. Having earned an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, she is investigating the genetics and evolutionary dynamics of adaptation to complex environmental stressors, with a focus on antifungal drug resistance. She is also a science communication fellow for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Sandoval-Powers’ faculty nominators highlight her “talent, work ethic and willingness to contribute.” In taking on a new discipline, “what would be a steep learning curve for most was one she navigated with intellectual agility, curiosity and speed.” Within weeks of joining the project, she began making contributions to data collection, analysis and interpretation. Sandoval-Powers is the backbone of the lab’s mentorship ecosystem, supporting nearly every aspect of lab operations and academic development for both undergraduates and graduate students. “She is generous with her time, very effective in her communication and deeply respected as a result.”
Promising Scholar Award
Awarded to a junior faculty member whose outstanding scholarship has been recognized by peers and who has demonstrated a high level of accomplishment over a relatively short time at OSU.
2025 Recipient: Salini Sasidharan, Assistant professor, Biological and Ecological Engineering, College of Agricultural Sciences
Salini Sasidharan specializes in managed aquifer recharge, soil hydrology, water quality and sustainability, focusing on contaminants such as viruses, bacteria and nanoparticles in groundwater. Her research, which has secured $2.2 million in funding in just three years, integrates complex modeling techniques with field applications, providing practical, cost-effective solutions for groundwater remediation, especially in regions where water is scarce. Sasidharan’s faculty nominators highlight her work addressing the “seemingly intractable” problem of nitrate contamination in the Lower Umatilla basin. Sasidharan volunteered to chair the Lower Umatilla basin Groundwater Management Area Committee, and her impact “was profoundly positive. Now for the first time in decades, the conversation has turned from the wringing of hands to implementation of a long-term solution.” As a mentor to six graduate students and one postdoctoral researcher, and in teaching classes in biosystems and modeling and groundwater hydraulics, Sasidharan “has an innate ability to connect with her students, encouraging them to push the boundaries of their knowledge and explore innovative approaches to water management.”
Impact Award for Outstanding Scholarship
Recognizes OSU faculty who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship in a specific project or activity resulting in substantial impact beyond the university setting.
2025 Recipient: Xavier Siemens, Professor, Physics, College of Science
Xavier Siemens is director of the NSF-funded North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves, an international collaboration of more than 200 astrophysicists at more than 90 institutions. In this 15-year study, the NANOGrav team presented evidence of a chorus of low-frequency gravitational waves, which is key to understanding how structures form in the universe. The NANOGrav discovery was featured in media outlets worldwide, including the New York Times, Nature, Reuters, AP News, The Guardian, The Washington Post, BBC and NPR. It was also named among the top 11 most astonishing scientific discoveries of 2023 by National Geographic. Siemens’ faculty nominators note he is the most cited faculty member at Oregon State with 110,563 citations. “His groundbreaking contributions have deepened our collective understanding of the universe, inspiring curiosity and wonder on a global scale.” Siemens also developed a popular Ecampus course introducing modern astronomy research, has taught upper-division and graduate courses and has mentored numerous students pursuing research in astrophysics.
Exceptional Leadership in Safety Award
Recognizes exceptional contributions toward improving the safety culture at Oregon State University.
2025 Recipient: Devin McGlamery, Postdoctoral scholar, Nuclear Science and Engineering, College of Engineering
Devin McGlamery works with radioactive and air-flammable material in an inert atmosphere glovebox. He has developed methods for handling air-free, flammable, volatile and corrosive samples in the laboratory, opening up several new areas of research while maintaining safety. McGlamery’s faculty nominator notes that he has developed protocols to safely handle flammable samples and has demonstrated through regular assessments that these protocols are valid. McGlamery “has immediately made a direct impact on the safe operations of the research group,” innovating new methods for ensuring safety and training others to do the same. McGlamery “has never proceeded with any experiment until a full and frank analysis of the hazards was completed. When he has a question, he asks it, and he does not move on until he has a good and clear answer.” McGlamery is proactive in assessing potential hazards and working to prevent them from becoming an issue. “He is a safety leader, and the other members of the research group look up to him.”
Exemplary Employee Award
Awarded to professional faculty and classified staff members for their outstanding performance.
2025 Professional Faculty Recipient: Jennifer Cohen, Office manager, Biological and Ecological Engineering, College of Agricultural Sciences
Jen Cohen manages her unit’s needs across multiple essential areas, including human resources, payroll and finance, and she supervises several classified staff members. She is the building safety manager for Gilmore Hall, a search advocate and has taught a professional development and communication course for BEE students. She leads BEE’s participation in the annual OSU Food Drive, and she also created and continues to stock a basic needs pantry in the student lounge. Cohen’s faculty and staff nominators say, “Our unit’s operations are smooth, timely and consistent thanks to Jen.” Her organizational and problem-solving skills ensure she “works efficiently and effortlessly through extensive to-do lists.” She is “our go-to person for solving complex challenges.” Cohen is described as a team-builder and mentor who has played a key role in shaping a welcoming and inclusive environment. BEE is now more than 50% women students, and nearly half are LGBTQ+. “This culture is a direct result of Jen’s consistent advocacy, thoughtfulness and follow-through.”
2025 Classified Staff Recipient: Rona Bryan, Experiential marketing and outreach coordinator, Marketing & Communications, College of Forestry
Rona Bryan manages a variety of events for the College of Forestry, blending creativity, logistics and customer service to create welcoming and memorable experiences for diverse audiences. Bryan’s faculty nominators call her “both efficient and resourceful.” She is an artist who “brings imaginative solutions to the table. Her proactive approach to identifying solutions and improving processes is a tremendous asset, particularly in the context of event planning, where adaptability and foresight are critical.” Bryan meticulously tracks data from every event to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Such attention to detail ensures each subsequent event builds upon previous successes and strengthens relationships with stakeholders. When organizing meetings and discussions, Bryan “models inclusive leadership focused on equity, innovation and careful attention to the voices and needs of others. Her genuine investment in team cohesion and inclusive practices makes her not only an outstanding professional but also an indispensable colleague. She is a joy to learn from and work beside.”
University Mentoring and Professional Development Award
Awarded for excellence in mentoring, supporting and encouraging OSU employees, especially women and those from underrepresented groups or nontraditional careers.
2025 Recipient: Mary Ellen Dello Stritto, Director, Ecampus Research Unit, Division of Educational Ventures
Mary Ellen Dello Stritto designs and conducts research studies on online teaching and learning, supports faculty research on online education and produces tools to promote research literacy. She established the Ecampus Undergraduate Research Assistant program and led the Division of Educational Ventures Inclusive Excellence committee. One of Dello Stritto’s faculty nominators says she has created “an environment where questions are encouraged, perspectives are valued, and growth is fostered.” Dello Stritto “instills confidence in those who might otherwise feel hesitant to speak up.” Another says, “She is someone who lives her values.” A former intern describes her internship as “the most valuable, enriching and empowering work experience I’ve ever had.” The intern, who is nonbinary/trans, excelled in the internship “because I felt safe, supported and valued.” A postdoc who experienced serious health issues praises Dello Stritto’s steadfast support and flexibility. “She created an equitable environment for me so I could continue my professional development at my own pace, whenever I was physically able to contribute.”
Professional Faculty Excellence Award
Recognizes exceptional service of a faculty member in a role other than the traditional areas of teaching, research or Extension.
2025 Recipient: Clare Creighton, Senior director, Academic Success Center, Division of Student Affairs
Over the past 13 years, Clare Creighton has led a broad expansion of academic support programs, ensuring that the Division of Student Affairs meets students’ evolving needs while enhancing the quality of student life and academic achievement. She holds multiple leadership positions in campuswide strategic initiatives, including the Every Student Graduates task force, which supports Oregon State’s strategic plan, Prosperity Widely Shared. She also represents OSU as one of two liaisons to the University Innovation Alliance. Creighton’s faculty nominators describe her impact as “consistent and immeasurable,” with nearly every student benefiting from her work. She has built “a cohesive and effective team that collaborates seamlessly with partners in colleges and academic affairs.” Creighton is “innovative and creative in her work,” known for her ability to bring together disparate people to work toward a common goal. “Clare believes the best of people. She values each person and their perspectives, strengths, experiences, skills and potential. She approaches her work from a point of creativity, curiosity and care.”
Inclusive Excellence Advocate Award
Recognizes members of the university community who contribute to and enhance the environment of OSU through consistent and sustained efforts to improve opportunities for diverse communities.
2025 Recipient: Victor Villegas, Broadband and Digital Technologies adoption coordinator, Extension Computing Technology Unit, Division of Extension & Engagement
More than one million Oregonians lack the necessary tools to fully engage in the digital economy and society. Through the Oregon Broadband Equity Coalition, Victor Villegas is working to provide broadband access to people of color, people with disabilities, low-income households, seniors and veterans, particularly in rural communities and Tribal nations. In addition to OBEC, Villegas has collaborated with T-Mobile to distribute Chromebooks to high school seniors in the Juntos program in Southern Oregon. For years, he has participated in the 4-H Mariachi STEAM Camp, contributing to bilingual programming. And as part of his outreach to Tribal nations, he partners with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians to introduce AI in a culturally relevant way and promote inclusive STEAM education. Villegas’ faculty nominator notes that he has “significantly contributed to sustained efforts that engage and support Oregon’s communities.” His work not only enriches people’s lives, “he has had a direct and substantial impact on promoting equity, inclusivity and accessibility within the university and beyond.”
International Service Award
Honors exemplary, ongoing contributions of OSU faculty and staff to the internationalization of the university by enhancing student, faculty and staff awareness and participation in international education, research and related activities.
2025 Recipient: Adria Buncal, International scholar advisor, Office of International Services
Adria Buncal supports all Oregon State units that sponsor visiting international exchange scholars. She is the behind-the-scenes coordinator ensuring the compliance and issuance of immigration documents needed for them to come to the U.S. Buncal’s faculty nominator notes that over the past 12 years, she has helped OSU host more than 1,800 visiting researchers, student interns and short-term researchers from around the world. Buncal creates “a welcoming community of international intercultural exchange,” providing the tools and resources they need to acclimate to OSU and have a successful experience. A student nominator says Buncal’s efforts “have significantly enhanced OSU’s reputation as an inclusive, globally connected institution,” helping OSU students develop greater cultural awareness and appreciation. As the staff coordinator for the International Friendship Program, Buncal has built meaningful connections for international students on campus and in Corvallis, expanding outreach, branding and partnerships to grow the IFP by 25% annually. Beyond program coordination, “she actively uplifts others, amplifying the voices and achievements of those around her.”
Extension and Engagement Award
Recognizes significant and meritorious work that enhances reciprocal learning with students, partners and stakeholders through OSU outreach and engagement activities.
2025 Recipient: Nordica MacCarty, Associate professor, School of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, College of Engineering
Nordica MacCarty has contributed new tools and methods to improve the design and adoption rates of sustainable energy technologies for the 40% of the world’s population who rely on biomass combustion as their primary source of household energy for cooking and heating. MacCarty’s faculty nominator notes how she has “integrated the topic of biomass combustion throughout her research, teaching and service portfolio through collaborations with local and global community organizations.” She has led teams to develop cooking stoves that reduce smoke emissions by more than 90%, save fuel and promote better well-being. MacCarty and her students also work with rural and Tribal communities in Oregon to reduce the impact of wood smoke from heating and wildfires. MacCarty leads OSU’s Humanitarian Engineering program, served on the core leadership team developing the transdisciplinary Design for Social Impact program and has been the faculty co-adviser for OSU’s Engineers Without Borders student chapter since 2020.
Dar Reese Excellence in Advising Award
Awarded for outstanding advising of undergraduate students by a member of the OSU faculty, as well as for demonstrated success in teaching, research and service.
2025 Recipient: Stefan Seiter, Senior instructor II, Crop and Soil Science, College of Agricultural Sciences
As an advisor, Stefan Seiter is responsible for recruitment and retention, course registration and scheduling, curriculum development and oversight, and career counseling and placement for all students in Crop and Soil Science. He also teaches on-campus and Ecampus courses covering nutrient cycling, floriculture, greenhouse management, organic farming methods and cropping systems, and his techniques have been nationally recognized. A faculty nominator notes that since Seiter joined CSS in 2019, the department has experienced a 177% increase in undergraduate enrollment, and the percentage of women has grown from 35% to 53%. Seiter’s efforts “have played a major role in these successes in both recruitment and retention.” A recent graduate says Seiter “has always led by example and virtue,” crediting him with helping quadruple the number of students in the Crop and Social Sciences Club. A current transfer student highlights his advocacy in getting her prerequisites recognized and credits transferred. “Stefan has had my back from day one.”
Academic Advising Award
Awarded for outstanding undergraduate academic advising by professional faculty rank, as well as fixed-term academic rank faculty whose primary role is advising.
2025 Recipient: Thomas Shelly, Academic advisor, Advising and Student Success, College of Education
Thomas Shelly joined the College of Education in 2023 and has trained more than 20 mentors and college ambassadors through its college peer mentorship program, Ment2Teach. As the college redesigned its curriculum this year, Shelly offered guidance to help students balance student teaching with their course load. One faculty nominator highlights his “care and empathy for students,” seeking innovative approaches to provide a more equitable experience for students from all backgrounds. Other faculty note his strong and effective advocacy for increasing OSU’s six-year graduation rate to 80%, along with “impressive data tracking” for recruitment and retention. Shelly’s student nominator says, “Thomas has always made me feel incredibly welcomed and listened to.” This out-of-state student needed to complete a full year of student teaching, but the scholarship that allowed him to attend OSU was only valid for four years. Shelly wrote an appeal to the Scholarship Office, “and we celebrated together when it was accepted.”
Outstanding Faculty Research Assistant Award
Recognizes scholarly achievement and a level of innovation and effort that far exceeds expectations.
2025 Recipient: Bill Gerth, Senior faculty research assistant I, Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences and Botany & Plant Pathology, College of Agricultural Sciences
Bill Gerth has spent more than 30 years in entomological sciences and ecology, and his expertise in aquatic insect taxonomy has benefited students and collaborators across OSU, state and federal agencies and the public. Gerth’s faculty nominators cite his “work ethic, unparalleled expertise, dedication and leadership” in identifying insects and other invertebrates. He developed a more efficient and now widely adopted laboratory protocol for handling aquatic macroinvertebrate samples. He has trained dozens of undergraduate and graduate students in invertebrate collection, taxonomy and analysis. His commitment to science communication is evident in multiple presentations to K-12 students, watershed councils and the public. One former student, now a colleague at a government agency, cites Gerth’s “meticulous attention to detail and vast knowledge in aquatic entomology,” which he has generously and enthusiastically shared, making him a key contributor in evaluating river ecosystems and informing conservation efforts. “He remains a favorite collaborator and has played an invaluable role in my career trajectory and the success of our projects.”
Faculty Affordability Award
Recognizes a demonstrated commitment to providing affordable course learning materials to students, using no-cost or low-cost course materials in their classes.
2025 Recipient: Lauren Dalton, Senior instructor, Biochemistry and Biophysics, College of Science
Lauren Dalton coauthored an open-access textbook, “Fundamentals of Cell Biology,” for a class required in many science majors that enrolls more than 900 students each year in Corvallis, OSU-Cascades and Ecampus. Replacing a commercial textbook costing around $75 per copy has saved OSU students more than $60,000 to date. Five other universities have adopted the textbook so far, with more under consideration. Dalton’s faculty nominator says she has “demonstrated exceptional commitment to reducing the cost of course materials while maintaining high educational standards.” She also notes that Dalton’s involvement in fundraising campaigns, such as Dam Proud Day, has raised significant funds for scholarships, as well as for paid research and conference attendance. Beyond the open-source textbook, two of Dalton’s students appreciate other free resources, including YouTube videos and other links that students can access outside class. This approach “enhances the visualization of complex processes, making abstract concepts more tangible.” Students can “explore topics in greater depth without the barrier of paywalls.”
Faculty Innovator Award
Recognizes a faculty member whose extraordinarily high-impact research innovations are translated into transformative results that help promote economic development and social progress, specifically through commercialization.
2025 Recipient: Rich Carter, Professor, Chemistry, College of Science
Rich Carter has a record of innovation both in commercializing research and helping to reshape how higher education values faculty innovation and entrepreneurship. Carter co-founded Valliscor in 2012, which specializes in manufacturing high-value compounds containing the element fluorine for the pharmaceutical and semiconductor industries. Valliscor has one manufacturing facility in Corvallis and recently received nearly $3 million in funding to build a 16,000-square-foot factory in Albany. Carter was among the first class to graduate from the OSU Advantage Accelerator, the university’s business incubator, in 2013. Carter also leads Promotion and Tenure – Innovation and Entrepreneurship, an NSF-supported initiative to recognize the societal impact of innovation and entrepreneurship in the promotion and tenure process. Launched at Oregon State, PTIE now has more than 70 member universities nationwide. Carter is working with 18 universities on a separate NSF grant to accelerate the translation of university intellectual property into economic development and public benefit.
Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring by a Faculty Member Award
Awarded to an OSU faculty member who has provided significant research-related mentoring to undergraduate students within the past three years.
2025 Recipient: Kenton Hokanson, Senior Instructor I, microbiology, Assistant Professor, biochemistry and biophysics, College of Science
Kenton Hokanson uses electrophysiology to investigate the creation and maintenance of functional neural circuits. Over the past seven years, he has mentored 18 undergraduates, including a current team of six. A faculty nominator says Hokanson “is excited to take on first-year undergraduates with no formal experience in research. He then invests his all in guiding them to become independent, confident research scientists.” Hokanson builds a welcoming and respectful environment, encourages students to design and execute their own experiments and finds “genuine joy in the role of mentor.” One former student says the Hokanson laboratory “was the first place where I truly felt my opinions were heard and valued, an experience that has had a remarkable influence on my confidence and identity as a scientist.” Another found a strong sense of community in the lab, which “became my anchor at OSU.” Hokanson’s patience, clarity and “understanding that failure is an unavoidable component of eventual success inspire perseverance.”
Faculty Excellence in Online Teaching Award
Recognizes faculty who devote a significant amount of time to online teaching and development of online for-credit courses.
2025 Recipient: Andrea Allan, Senior instructor, Geography and Climate Science, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences
Andrea Allan teaches eight to 11 courses a year, with more than 50% of those courses offered online. She developed OSU’s first lab-based online course focusing on climate science, one of the first in the nation, an online course focusing on climate change impacts in the Pacific Northwest and an online undergraduate certificate program in climate solutions. She works closely with Ecampus to make regular course updates, including revisions for Core Education. Allan’s faculty nominator says she incorporates a variety of learning materials into her courses, including textbook readings, articles, videos, and other multimedia sources, to accommodate different learning styles. She has taken a leadership role mentoring other CEOAS faculty in effective online teaching. Her student evaluations “are consistently high,” above university and department medians. A former student says Allan’s classes “were exceptionally well-organized” and “communications with the class were timely and thorough.” He credits her for “inspiring me to do my best because I always knew that she was returning hers.”
Faculty Teaching Excellence Award
Honors unusually significant and meritorious achievement in teaching and scholarship that enhances effective instruction.
2025 Recipient: Adam Chouinard, Associate professor, Integrative Biology, College of Science
Adam Chouinard teaches several large-enrollment biology classes and central majors courses for the zoology degree. He also teaches a capstone seminar for the Graduate Certificate for College and University Teaching program and a professional development class for all graduate teaching assistants in integrative biology. One faculty nominator describes Chouinard as “an engaging, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable instructor” who combines mini-lectures, group discussions and problem-solving to highlight the scientific process rather than direct right and wrong answers. Another notes that Chouinard continually improves his courses based on current research and literature, “showing students that our discipline is vibrant and ever advancing.” Chouinard’s student evaluation of teaching scores are consistently high. A former student acknowledges that Chouinard’s class was not easy, “but the environment that Adam cultivated was welcoming and engaging, which made me excited to be there every day.” Chouinard’s lectures, a mix of storytelling, questions and discussion, and relevant examples, work together to help students make sense of complex processes and mechanisms.
Richard M. Bressler Senior Faculty Teaching Award
Recognizes an exemplary commitment to undergraduate instruction by an OSU faculty member.
2025 Recipient: Mike Bailey, Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering
Over more than 20 years at Oregon State, Mike Bailey has taught more than 150 undergraduate course sections to nearly 14,000 students. He has created or modernized more than a dozen courses, advised more than 70 graduate students, advised 12 undergraduate honors theses and mentored undergraduates across disciplines and departments. He also served a term as Faculty Senate president and on the OSU Board of Trustees. Bailey’s faculty nominators describe his teaching record as “unmatched: sustained, rigorous, inclusive and innovative. He has transformed how, what and who we teach — while never losing sight of individual student success.” Bailey’s research in visualization and GPU computing directly fuels his courses, “ensuring students gain not only theoretical knowledge but also highly marketable, practical skills.” A recent graduate says that through classroom teaching, capstone projects and individual mentoring, Bailey has “repeatedly demonstrated his care and dedication to the success of his students.” She notes the high enrollment in Bailey’s classes each term “is a testament to his word-of-mouth reputation.”
D. Curtis Mumford Faculty Service Award
Recognizes exceptional, ongoing, dedicated and unselfish concern for and service to OSU faculty.
2025 Recipient: Selina Heppell, Department head and professor, Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, College of Agricultural Sciences
Selena Heppell has served as department head during a period of historical growth in the program, including a substantial expansion of Ecampus courses and programs, with online students now representing three-quarters of enrollment. She served three terms in the Faculty Senate and as president in 2021. One faculty nominator notes that Heppell leads “with grace, humility and care for our students, faculty and stakeholders.” Over the past 10 years, she has undertaken more than 40 service activities across OSU and beyond, including the development of Core Education and serving on review panels for the U.S. Geological Survey and NOAA. Equating service with leadership, he says Heppell does it so well she is “sought out when service is needed.” A former Ph.D. student, now a colleague, thinks Heppell’s mentorship “profoundly shaped my academic career” and continues to influence her work. When she learned she was expecting, Heppell “was not only supportive but also proactive” in helping her and other graduate students balance parenthood with their graduate studies.
Elizabeth P. Ritchie Distinguished Professor Award
Recognizes an OSU faculty member for outstanding undergraduate teaching and research focused on the improvement of instruction and professional leadership.
2025 Recipient: Mary Beisiegel, Professor, Mathematics, College of Science
Mary Beisiegel has consistently earned excellent teaching evaluations — especially for the instructor’s contribution — from students across a range of courses. A leader in mathematics education at Oregon State and nationally, Beisiegel has worked on collaborative projects to redesign undergraduate math courses and has published 40 refereed articles in journals and conference proceedings. One faculty nominator calls Beisiegel “a masterful, passionate teacher” who sets high expectations for her students while supporting and connecting with them on a human level. Another highlights her expertise in professional development, particularly in transforming the fall TA workshop into a practical, research-based introduction to teaching for new graduate teaching assistants. An undergraduate who has taken four classes with Beisiegel notes how she helps students develop “an individualized, deep understanding” of course material and make connections to real-world applications. She creates “a brave and safe learning environment for all” and enables students to showcase their knowledge in ways other than written exams, in his case with an oral presentation.
Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award
Awarded to a faculty member who demonstrates outstanding professional achievement through teaching and scholarship, service to the university and the community, and professional leadership, nationally and internationally.
2025 Recipient: Hong Liu Professor, Biological and Ecological Engineering, College of Agricultural Sciences
Hong Lui’s research addresses some of the most pressing challenges in energy, water and environmental sustainability. Since joining OSU in 2005, she has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, which have been cited more than 20,000 times. She has filed four patents and founded two small businesses that focus on wastewater treatment and reuse. A third is in development with the OSU Advantage. In addition to her “creative and novel” research and commercialization, one faculty nominator notes that Lui is “universally regarded for her mentorship,” which continues to benefit her students’ careers. She has mentored more than 50 graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and undergraduates. Lui’s work “bridges high-impact science, student training and practical application.” A former student, now a business partner, says Lui’s “true distinction lies in her extraordinary ability to nurture talent and potential in her students.” She provided the perfect balance of structure and freedom, scientific rigor and genuine human connection “that allowed my scientific vision to develop and flourish.”