More than 140 faculty, staff and contract professionals got together at E.J. Thomas Hall for the 2023 Buchtel College Awards luncheon to recognize, honor and celebrate the accomplishments of the college community.
Dr. Mitchell S. McKinney, dean of the college, welcomed everyone and noted, “Our college takes pride in its exceptional community of learners, and we owe it all to our faculty and staff's unwavering commitment to our students' success. Today, we honor and express gratitude to our outstanding colleagues, whose remarkable contributions have truly made a difference.”
The Buchtel College Awards were presented by McKinney in seven categories to the following recipients, including a new annual award for Advancing Diversity, Engagement, Inclusion and Belonging:
- Outstanding Staff Member Achievement Award - Kim Haverkamp, marketing & events manager, Bliss Institute
- Outstanding Achievement in Early Research and Creative Activity Award - Dr. Henry Astley, assistant professor, Department of Biology
- Outstanding Achievement in Research & Creative Activity Award - Dr. Jim Diefendorff, professor, Department of Psychology
- Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award - Dr. Gary Holliday, professor of practice, School of Education
- Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Achievement Award - Juan Contreras, professor of practice, School of Communication
- Outstanding achievement in professional Service and Community Engagement Award - Dr. Joel Duff, professor, Department of Biology
- Outstanding Achievement in Adjunct Teaching Award - Kiirsi Maunula Johnson, senior lecturer, School of Music
The Dean’s Leadership Awards were also presented to Dr. Carolyn Behrman, professor, Department of Anthropology, for a career devoted to public and community engagement through students’ experiential learning and civic engagement; and Dr. Suzette Speight, professor, Department of Psychology, for a career devoted to understanding and improving issues involving diversity, equity and inclusion.
The John Buchtel Award statuette (a.k.a. “the Johnny”) was designed by Ashley Hetherington who is pursuing a Bachelor in Fine Arts with a focus in ceramics at the Myers School of Art.
Congratulations to all of the 2023 nominees:
Wondimu Ahmed, Henry Astley, Toni Bisconti, Nathan Blackerby, Christopher Blaha, Jennifer Bozeka, Angela Brodie, Julie Cajigas, Sarah Cooey, Juan Contreras, Jim Diefendorff, Mike Drozin, Joel Duff, Dimitria Gatzia, Evi Gorogianni, Steve Harp, Gary Holliday, Karl Kaltenthaler, Kim Haverkamp, Christine Howe, Matt Kolodziej, Kiirsi Maunula-Johnson, Jennifer Morgan, Stacey Nofziger, Melissa Olson, Insun Park, Karen Plaster, Theresa Procopio, Jordan Renna, Lara Roketenetz, Suzette Speight, Eric Sotnak, Meghan Thornton-Lugo, Scotland Uhl, and Stephanie Yuhas.