YSU presents 2015 Distinguished Professor Awards

Phil Brady

G. Andy Chang

Twenty-four Youngstown State University faculty members receive the 2015 Distinguished Professor Award at a ceremony 4 p.m. Thursday, April 16, the first in a series of events this spring to recognize outstanding faculty, students and staff.

The Distinguished Professor Award event is in the DeBartolo Stadium Club at Stambaugh Stadium on the YSU campus. Recipients are:

Helen Han-Haas

Gabriel Palmer-Fernandez

For excellence in teaching: Philip Brady, English; G. Andy Chang, Mathematics and Statistics; Helen Han-Haas, Management; Gabriel Palmer-Fernandez, Philosophy and Religious Studies; Rachael Pohle-Krauza, Human Ecology; Molly Roche, Nursing; Jeremy Schwartz, Accounting and Finance; Stephanie Tingley, English; Alan Tomhave, Philosophy and Religious Studies.

For excellence in scholarship:

Rachael Pohle Krauza

Molly Roche

Diane Barnes, History; Scott R. Irelan, Theater and Dance; Don Martin, Counseling, Special Education, and School Psychology; Gang Peng, Management; Alicia Prieto Langarica, Mathematics and Statistics; Bruce Waller, Philosophy and Religious Studies; Jane L. Wetzel, Physical Therapy.

For excellence in service: Tiffany Anderson, English; James

Jeremy Schwartz

Andrews, Physics and Astronomy; Ramesh Dangol, Management; John Hazy, Criminal Justice and Forensic Science; Deborah Mower, Philosophy and Religious Studies; Joseph Palardy, Economics; Helene Sinnreich, History; William Vendemia, Management.

Watson Merit Award: Jake J. Protivnak, Counseling, Special Education, and School Psychology.

In previous years, the Distinguished Professor Awards were handed out at Honors Convocation, held annually in April to recognize distinguished faculty and students. This year, Honors Convocation will be changed to six separate ceremonies, one for each of the university’s six colleges, as well as the event for distinguished professors.

Stephanie Tingley

“It’s a big deal for students to be recognized at Honors Convocation, and it’s quite an honor for faculty to be held up as distinguished professors,” Interim Provost Martin Abraham said. “We believe this new schedule allows us to better celebrate these accomplishments.”

The new schedule for Honors Convocation is:

Monday, April 20, 6 p.m., College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Honors Convocation, DeBartolo Lecture Hall 132.

Tuesday, April 21, 6 p.m., Bitonte College of Health and Human Services Honors Convocation, DeBartolo Stadium Club.

Wednesday, April 22, 6 p.m., College of Creative Arts and

Alan Tomhave

Communication Honors Convocation, Bliss Hall lobby/Bliss Recital Hall.

Monday, April 27, 6:15 p.m., College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Honors Convocation, DeBartolo Stadium Club.

Wednesday, April 29, 6:30 p.m., Beeghly College of Education Honors Convocation, McKay Auditorium, Beeghly Hall.

The Williamson College of Business Administration will conduct an honors ceremony in the fall on a date yet to be determined.

In addition, the university’s annual Student Awards Banquet will be Thursday, April 30 in Kilcawley Center, and the annual Faculty and Staff Awards Dinner will be Friday, May 1, in Kilcawley Center.