LAS faculty and staff honored with university awards

Iowa State University campanile with trees in front

Congratulations to faculty and staff in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who were selected for Iowa State University faculty and staff awards and distinction!

Two faculty members were named Distinguished Professor: Matt DeLisi, professor of sociology and Pamela Riney-Kehrberg, professor of history. The title of Distinguished Professor, first awarded in 1956, is the highest academic honor the university bestows. It recognizes a faculty member whose accomplishments in research or creative activities have had a significant impact on his or her discipline, and who has demonstrated outstanding performance in at least one other area of faculty responsibility. Nominees must hold the rank of professor and have served for at least five years prior to the current year on the Iowa State faculty. The awardee retains the title for the remainder of his or her career at the university.

Two faculty members were named University Professor. Lisa Larson, professor of psychology and Javier Vela-Becerra, professor of chemistry. The title of University Professor is awarded to a faculty member who has acted as a change agent by having made significant contributions to improve the university, and who has demonstrated outstanding performance in at least one other area of faculty responsibility. Nominees must hold the rank of professor and have served for at least 10 years prior to the current year on the Iowa State faculty. The awardee retains the title for the remainder of his or her career at the university.

Two faculty members were named Morrill Professor. Mark Hargrove, professor of biochemistry and Loreto Prieto, professor of psychology. The title of Morrill Professor recognizes faculty members whose professional work has demonstrated outstanding success in teaching and learning in undergraduate, graduate and/or Extension/outreach programs which is reflected by a national or international reputation in the nominee’s discipline. Nominees must hold the rank of professor and have served for at least five years prior to the current year on the Iowa State University faculty. The awardee retains the title for the remainder of his or her career at the university.

Eleven individuals from LAS were selected for university awards:

ISU Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching
Beth Martin, Associate Teaching Professor, Department of World Languages and Cultures
Aili Mu, Associate Professor, Department of World Languages and Cultures

ISU Award for Early Achievement in Academic Advising
Flor Romero de Slowing, Academic Advisor, Department of World Languages and Cultures

ISU Award for Achievement in Intellectual Property
Arthur Winter, Professor, Department of Chemistry

ISU Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Introductory Teaching
Stephen Biggs, Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies

ISU Award for Mid-Career Achievement in Research
Jigang Wang, Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy

ISU Award for Inclusive Excellence
Monic Behnken, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology

ISU P&S Research Award
Tracie Ann Hennen-Bierwagen, Associate Scientist, Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

ISU Professional & Scientific Excellence Award
Teresa Fernando, Teaching Laboratory Coordinator Senior, Department of Chemistry
Jacob Larsen, Director, Language Study Resource Center, Department of World Languages and Cultures

ISU Professional & Scientific Outstanding New Professional Award
Christopher Myers, Teaching Lab Coordinator, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology

Recipients will be recognized during Iowa State University’s annual awards ceremony in the fall.