24 Honored With 2020 Distinguished Achievement Awards

For 65 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 1,122 professionals (including this year’s recipients) who have exhibited the highest standards of excellence at Texas A&M.

In recognition of their achievements, honorees will receive a cash gift, an engraved watch and a commemorative plaque. The 2020 Distinguished Achievement Awards ceremony planned for Rudder Theatre on the Texas A&M University campus was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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 2020 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.

• Dr. Chavela Carr, Senior Lecturer in Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
• Dr. Sharon D. Matthews, Clinical Assistant Professor of Teaching, Learning and Culture, College of Education and Human Development
• Dr. Marian Eide, Associate Professor in Department of English, College of Liberal Arts
• Dr. Dwight A. Roblyer ’84, Lecturer in Department of Political Science, College of Liberal Arts
• Dr. Sean T. McGuire ’00, Associate Professor in Department of Accounting, Mays Business School
• Dr. Charles "Cody" M. Folden III, Associate Professor in Department of Chemistry, College of Science
• Dr. George R. Welch ’79, Professor in Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science
• Dr. Kristin P. Chaney, Clinical Assistant Professor in Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
• Dr. Brian F. Porter ’92, Clinical Professor in Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
• Dr. Diane E. Chico, Instructional Professor of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine

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.

• Dr. Raghavan Srinivasan, Professor of Ecology and Conservation Biology, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
• Dr. Yu Ding, Professor in Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering
• Dr. Helen L. Reed, Regents Professor in Department of Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering
• Dr. D. Samba Reddy, Professor in Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine
• Dr. Alexei V. Sokolov, Professor in Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science
• Dr. Gregory A. Johnson, Professor in Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDENT RELATIONS 

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

• Deryle Richmond, Associate Director, Memorial Student Center Student Programs, Division of Student Affairs
• Dr. Krystal T. Simmons, Clinical Associate Professor in Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education and Human Development

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.

• Dr. Timothy Rhea, Director of Bands and Music Activities, Department of Music Activities, Division of Student Affairs

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. 

• Dr. Joerg M. Steiner ’00, University Distinguished Professor, Department of Veterinary Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science

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.

• James D. Titus ’89, Supervisor, Architecture Shop, College of Architecture
• Kelly Cox, Assistant Director, Department of Student Life Studies, Division of Student Affairs

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.

• Dr. Michael Beyerlein, Professor in Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development, College of Education and Human Development
• Dr. Stephen H. Safe, Distinguished Professor in Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

The Association of Former Students has a bold vision to engage 100,000 donors annually for Texas A&M by the end of 2020. To learn more, visit tx.ag/100Kby2020. To help us help more Aggies and offer more support for Texas A&M faculty and staff, make a gift at tx.ag/Give.