Faculty Thunderbird Awards

Outstanding Educator Award

This award recognizes an individual, full-time faculty who demonstrates outstanding teaching effectiveness; scholarly activity; peer respect from fellow colleagues; sincere interest in students; and professional commitment and service to others and the University overall.

Please address the following valuation criteria in your nomination: how well the faculty member does the following:

uses experiential education,
fosters student success,
maintains positive relationships with students,
explores teaching methods and integrates those that work,
reflects on teaching practices, and
engages in professional development related to teaching.

Distinguished Educators

This award recognizes three (3) individual, full-time faculty for distinguished teaching effectiveness; professional commitment; demonstrated interest in students; and service to others and the University overall.

Please address the following valuation criteria in your nomination: how well the faculty member does the following:

uses experiential education,
fosters student success,
maintains positive relationships with students,
explores teaching methods and integrates those that work,
excels in a specific instructional focus, such as general, graduate, or online education
reflects on teaching practices, and/or
engages in professional development related to teaching.

Distinguished Scholarly/Creative Activity

Appropriate scholarly and creative work for submission includes (but is not limited to) textbooks, academic books, book chapters, journal articles, poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, juried dance pieces, juried art pieces, published music, set designs, curated online repositories and multimedia materials, and video productions. Those nominated or self-nominated for the Distinguished Scholarly/Creative Activity Awards are required to submit a cover letter that lists and briefly, summarizes pertinent, scholarly document(s) or project(s). The letter must provide evidence that the nominated work was produced or published within the last academic year and that it constitutes scholarly “juried” work evaluated by peers. In addition, it should include mention of other participants (if applicable) and state if the work has been nationally or internationally recognized through previous awards (with documentation of the award(s) or recognition). The cover letter should, if possible, also include the acceptance rates of papers to a journal or acceptance rates of a project to a showing or exhibition. Moreover, the submission should provide evidence of the impact of the work, e.g. an analysis of the bearing and scope of the paper or project within the field of study. The quantity of work published in prominent journals or the prestige of a venue (i.e. gallery, competition) will also be taken into consideration.

Distinguished Faculty Service

This award is to recognize an individual, full-time faculty for demonstration of distinguished service to the University and the greater community; a pattern of quality service; a variety of service efforts; efforts having increased the quality of some aspect of the University's mission; and a genuine interest in serving students, colleagues, and the University.

In recognition of the many contributions the faculty make to our campus and to the professional community they are involved with:

Any professional faculty under contract with the university.
Minimum of three years contracted employment at SUU.
Recipients of this award are not eligible to receive it again for three years.
Current members of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee are not eligible to receive the award during their term of service.
Has contributed significantly to their profession through scholarly activities or exceptional service to professional associations.
Has taken advantage of available educational or training opportunities.
Has given service to their profession and/or the university above and beyond the scope of their position.

University Department Award

The University Department Award is presented to one department, unit, or office on campus recognizing their outstanding contributions to the university and a commitment to the students of SUU.

Lifetime Achievement Award

The lifetime achievement award is given to a faculty or staff member who has excelled academically or professionally as well as demonstrated outstanding leadership ability and service to the institution during their career at SUU.

Board of Trustees Award of Excellence

This award is intended to formally recognize the outstanding achievements of faculty and staff at SUU with a particular emphasis in teaching, scholarship, administration, innovation, and public service. The recipient is honored by a Certificate of Excellence presented by the Board of Trustees at a designated event in late spring, along with a cash award.

The award criteria for faculty will be quality teaching and learning, student mentoring and engagement, innovative practices, and other service to the university or the community.

The President's office may follow up with the nominator and nominee to gather additional information in order to provide the Trustees with sufficient material to make their decision. The nominator and/or nominee may submit information beyond what is specifically requested, but it is not expected.

A $2,500 award will be provided to each of the winners in the faculty and staff categories. We hope you will consider nominating candidates who have excelled in serving our students and the university.

The award criteria for staff members will be quality service according to the staff member’s responsibilities, innovative practices, and other service to the university or the community.

Faculty Honors: Past Recipients

Board of Trustees Award of Excellence

Dates	Staff	Faculty
2025	Matt Nickerson - Library	Ty Redd - Chemistry
2024	Shauna Mendini - Interim Provost	Brandon Wiggins - Physics
2023	Donna Law - Community & Government Relations	Matt Barton - Communications
2022	Stephen Lisonbee - Regional Services	Rheana Gardner-Reeves - Photography
2021	Heather Ogden - Dean of Students	William Heyborne - Biology
2020	Scotty Bauman - Women's Gymnastics	Tyler F. Stillman - Marketing
2019	Christine Proctor -Admissions Processing	Grant Corser - Hum & Soc Sciences
2018	Jayci Bash - Honors Program	Jacqualine Grant - Biology
2017	Reece Summers - SUMA	Matthew Nickerson - Library
2016	Eric Kirby - Student Services	Emily Dean - Anthropology
2015	Andrea Stiefvater - ESL	Todd Petersen - EDGE
2014	Paula Alger - Business	Xun Sun - Music
2013	Eric Houle - Track & Field	David Berri - Economics
2012		Peter Sham - Theatre Arts
2011		James Aton - English

Distinguished Educator Award

2024-25: Jamie Hamblin, Laureen Graves, Corey Twitchell
2023-24: Marcus Lawrence, Melinda Ford, Paige Gardiner
2022-23: Brock Landrum, Crystal Koenig, Nicole Dib
2021-22: Iliana Portaro, Bryan Koenig, and Jeb Branin
2020-21: Carrie Jo Bucklin, Stephen Engst, Adam E. Lambert
2019-20: Rachel T. Bolus, Laura J. Davis, Hala K. Swearingen
2018-19: Jason F. Kaiser, Kris G. Phillips, Lynn H. White
2017-18: Steve Evans, Dave Lunt, Dezhi Wu
2016-17: John Belk, Kevan Jacobson, Janice Scarinci
2015-16: Tyler Stillman, Jana Lunt, Nathan Werner
2014-15: Todd Mack, Andrew Marvick, Amanda Wilford
2013-14: Kay Andersen, Elise Leahy, Jean Lopour
2012-13: John T. Ault, John R. Taylor, Ellen Treanor
2011-12: Betsey Bancroft, Randle Hart, Lee Wood
2010-11: Desmond Penny, Rachel Smetanka, Virginia Stitt
2009-10: Kyle Bishop, Wynne Summers, Wayne Williams
2008-09: Richard Eissinger, Mark Miller, Mackay Steffensen
2007-08: Robin Calland, Laura Cotts, Kirk Fitzpatrick
2006-07: Kevin Stein, Todd Petersen, Les Jones
2005-06: Steve Barney, Rea Gubler, Larry Ping
2004-05: Carl Franklin, Deb Hill, Linda Marriott
2003-04: Jean Adams, Merlene Ellington, Brian Heuett
2002-03: Helen Chuang, Marty Larkin, Matthew Schmidt
2001-02: Arlene Braithwaite, Gregory Powell, Steve Barney
2000-01: Shauna Mendini, Richard Kimball, Brian Hoover
1999-00: Michael Donovan, Desmond Penny, Terry Schwaner
1998-99: Brent Sorensen, Jory Ty Redd, Gregory Powell
1997-98: Artis Grady, Stan Hatfield, James Vlasich

Distinguished Scholarly/Creative Activity

2024-25: Hayden Coombs, William Davis, Matt Barton
2023-24: Braden Bagley, Rheana Reeves, Rosalyn Eves
2022-23: Brianne Kramer, John Belk, Sijun Liu
2020-21: Mark D. Miller, Todd Robert Petersen, Elaine B. Vickers
2019-20: Andrew Misseldine, Kevin Stein, Corey L. Twitchell
2018-19: James M. Aton, Sangho Bok, Matthew Eddy
2017-18: Kyle Bishop, Bruce Haslem, Scott Lanning
2016-17: Mark DeBeliso, Ravi Roy, Dezhi Wu
2015-16: Danielle Dubrasky, Shobha Gurung, Jon Smith

Distinguished Service

2024-25: Shalini Kesar
2023-24: Jennifer McKenzie
2022-23: Jacqualine Grant
2020-21: Richard Cozzens
2019-20: Earl F. Mulderink, III
2018-19: Paula Mitchell
2017-18: Briget Eastep
2016-17: Johnny MacLean

Distinguished Faculty for Global Engagement Award

2024: Grant Corser
2023: Shalini Kesar

Commitment to Access & Belonging Award

2024-25: Matt Mckenzie
2023-24: Cynthia Hawk, Landry Igiraneza
2022-23: Julie McCown, Christin Stephens
2020-21: Kholoud Al-Quabbaj, Department of Theatre, Dance & Arts Administration
2019-20: Angela E. Pool-Funai, Junice Acosta
2018-19: Silvia Kozlovska, A.P.E.X. Events
2017-18: History, Sociology, & Anthropology Department, Steve Barney
2016-17: Michelle Orihel, Scott Knowles

Outstanding Educator Award

2024-25: Matthew Newsom
2023-24: Robin Boneck
2022-23: Gretchen Ellefson
2021-22: Peggy Wittwer
2020-21: Lisa Maxwell Arter
2019-20: Scott Munro
2018-19: Jeffrey Orton
2017-18: Nathan Werner
2016-17: Brandon Wiggins
2015-16: Joshua Price
2014-15: Brian Swanson
2013-14: Betsy A. Bancroft
2012-13: Mary Pearson
2011-12: Joe Baker
2010-11: Emily Dean
2009-10: Earl Mulderink
2008-09: Lisa Assante
2007-08: Greg Powell
2006-07: Matthew Schmidt
2005-06: Eric Brown
2004-05: Matthew Barton
2003-04: David Rees
2002-03: Derek Snow
2001-02: Richard Tebbs
2000-01: Joe Baker
1999-00: Susan Harris
1998-99: Gary Giles
1997-98: Robert Behunin
1996-97: John Ault
1995-96: Robert Eves
1994-95: Stephen Adams
1993-94: Joann Bowns
1992-93: James Bowns
1991-92: Michael Donovan
1990-91: Leslie Jones
1989-90: David Lee
1988-89: James Harrison
1987-88: Brent Sorenson

Outstanding Scholar

2014-15: Mark DeBeliso
2013-14: Dezhi Wu
2012-13: Peter Sham
2011-12: David Berry
2010-11: Shalini Kesar
2009-10: Jim Aton
2008-09: Gerald Calvasina
2007-08: Todd Petersen
2006-07: Larry Ping
2005-06: James Vlasich
2004-05: S. S. Moorty
2003-04: Gerald Calvasina
2002-03: David Christensen
2001-02: Jon Smith, Helen Chuang
2000-01: Jim Bowns

Professor of the Year

2020:Brandon Wiggins
2019: Peggy Wittwer
2018: Jacqualine Grant
2017: Deborah Snider
2016: Steve Barney
2015: John Maclean
2014: William H. Heyborne
2013: Jon Smith
2012: Peter Sham
2011: Genell Harris
2010: John R. Taylor
2009: Shobha Gurung
2008: Lisa Marie Assante
2007: Rick Lambson
2006: Steve Barney
2005: Seth Armstrong
2004: Stephen Roberds
2003: Helen Boswell
2002: Hussein Samha
2001: Kay Anderson & Robert Behunin
2000: William D. Lee & E. Lyman Munford
1998: Robert Behunin & Richard Dotson
1997: Tina Fredrick
1996: Kay Cook
1995: David Lee
1994: Michael P. Donovan
1993: Richard Dotson
1992: John Ault
1991: Nancy Glomb
1990: James Harrison
1987: L. Kim Jones
1986: James Vlasich
1985: Hal Campbell
1982: Dale Sampson

SUUSA's Presidents Award

2020: Douglas Bennett
2019: Stephen Allen & Jamie Orton
2018: Hayden Coombs
2017: Parker Grimes & Ethan Kleinman
2016: Jason Ramirez
2015: Scott L. Wyatt
2014: Richard E. Kendell
2013: Steven D. Harrop
2012: Jared Wilcken
2011: Stuart Jones
2010: David Tanner
2009: Neuman Duncan
2008: Dean O'Driscoll
2007: Annette Murray
2006: Mindy Benson
2005: Dr. Neal Cox
2004: Rick Brown
2003: Dr. Abe Harraf
2002: Sterling R. Church
2001: Tom Douple
2000: Dr. Gregory L. Stauffer
1999: Michael D. Richards
1998: Craig Foreman
1997: Harold Hiskey
1996: Neuman Duncan
1995: Doris Williamson
1994: Stuart Jones
1993: Charlie Cooley
1992: Betty Kingsford
1991: Sterling R. Church
1990: Rep. Haze Hunter & Sen. Dixie Leavitt
1989: Douglas Baker & Michael Donovan
1988: D. Mark Barton
1987: William B. Bennett
1986: Ron Aden
1985: Larry Baker
1984: Dale Hatch
1983: Richard Dotson & Al Tait
1982: Dave Taylor