24 Honored With Distinguished Achievement Awards

For more than 60 years, Texas A&M University and The Association of Former Students have recognized the most deserving faculty and staff members with one of the university’s highest professional honors—the University-Level Distinguished Achievement Awards.

This year’s recipients were chosen for their stellar performances in teaching, research, student relations, continuing education, staff service and graduate student mentoring. Since the award’s inception in 1955, it has been presented to 1,074 professionals (including this year’s recipients) who have exhibited the highest standards of excellence at Texas A&M.

The 2018 Distinguished Achievement Awards will be formally presented during ceremonies beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, April 27, in Rudder Theatre on the Texas A&M University campus. In recognition of their achievements, honorees will receive a cash gift, an engraved watch and a commemorative plaque.

Through the generous support of former students and friends of Texas A&M, The Association of Former Students is able to support A&M faculty and staff through programs like the Distinguished Achievement Awards. The Distinguished Achievement Award is an award of excellence, and each of the 24 recipients is more than worthy of the distinction. Please join us as we congratulate the recipients of the 2017 University-Level Distinguished Achievement Awards.

FOR TEACHING 

This award is presented to superior classroom teachers: individuals whose command of their respective discipline, teaching methodologies, pervasive caring, communication skills, and commitment to the learning process exemplify the meaning of “teacher” in its highest sense.

• Norma Arizpe, Department of Hispanic Studies, College of Liberal Arts.
• Glenda Byrns ’07, Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education and Human Development.
• Don T. Conlee ’94, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, College of Geosciences.
• Joanne Hardy, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
• Mark T. Holtzapple, Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering.
• Xenophon Koufteros, Department of Information and Operations Management, Mays Business School.
• Krishna R. Narayanan, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering.
• Michelle D. Pine ’02, Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
• Cynthia A. Riccio, Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education and Human Development.
• Gary Wingenbach, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

FOR RESEARCH 

This award recognizes and rewards those individuals whose research efforts have been particularly significant and whose outstanding work is recognized locally, nationally, and internationally.

• Nancy Amato, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Engineering.
• Perla B. Balbuena, Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering.
• Andrew Dessler, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, College of Geosciences.
• Catherine Eckel, Department of Economics, College of Liberal Arts.
• Mladen Kezunovic, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering.
• Daniel A. Singleton, Department of Chemistry, College of Science.

FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDENT RELATIONS 

This award recognizes, encourages, and rewards those employees whose professional relationships with students are particularly helpful and inspiring. 

• Angela Hairrell ’91, Office of Student Affairs, College of Medicine.
• Daniel A. McAdams, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering.

FOR ADMINISTRATION

This award recognizes, rewards, and encourages an administrator who has contributed to the welfare of Texas A&M University through outstanding administrative service beyond the expectation of the position.

• Nagamangala “N.K.” Anand, Executive Associate Dean, College of Engineering.

FOR EXTENSION, OUTREACH, CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

This award is presented to a staff member, faculty member or administrator who has brought credit to Texas A&M University through his or her dedication, enthusiasm, attitude, and effectiveness in the particular field of extension, continuing education or professional development in which he or she is engaged. 

• Ellen R. Jordan, Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

FOR STAFF

This award recognizes, rewards, and encourages a staff member who has contributed to the welfare of Texas A&M University through outstanding staff support beyond the expectations of the position.

• Samuell R. Hawes ’81, Office of the Commandant, Division of Student Affairs.
• David Wentling ’13, Office of Student Services, College of Architecture.

FOR GRADUATE MENTORING

This award recognizes, encourages, and rewards superior faculty mentors of graduate students—those faculty who go well beyond advising by bringing their skills and commitment to students’ learning and professional development as future teachers, practitioners, researchers, and scholars through mentoring.

• Noah D. Cohen, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
• J. Timothy Lightfoot, Department of Health and Kinesiology, College of Education and Human Development.