FHSU University Relations
As part of last week’s annual convocation ceremony, several Fort Hays State University faculty members were honored.
Dr. Dosse Toulaboe, professor of economics, finance and accounting, was named this year’s President’s Distinguished Scholar. Toulaboe, who receives a medallion and a $1,500 cash award, was selected by President Hammond from recommendations forwarded to him by an evaluation committee of previous presidential scholars. The committee is chaired by Dr. Chris Crawford, interim provost.
Faculty Senate President Eric Deyo, assistant professor of physics, also spoke. Crawford, Phil Toepfer, university controller, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Joey Linn and the deans of the four academic colleges introduced new faculty and staff.
Other faculty award winners were also announced at the Convocation. Dr. Craig Smith, assistant professor of agriculture, was named Faculty Member of the Year for 2014. The honor carries a $1,000 cash award, provided by Deron O’Connor, president of Commerce Bank, and the membership of the Academic Council
Dr. Brian Maricle, associate professor of biological sciences, was named the Shearer Advisor of the Year, which also carried a $500 cash award, sponsored by Commerce Bank.
Maricle was also the recipient of a new award, the Heinrichs Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award, named in honor of the late Dr. John Heinrichs. The award recognizes a faculty member of their commitment of time and energy in encouraging and developing research by undergraduate students.
The $500 award that goes with the honor is in the form of extra operating expenses budget authority for the recipients home department, sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Undergraduate Research Experience, and the Office of Scholarships and Sponsored Projects.
Max Maximov, instructor of modern languages, is the second winner of the Internationalization of the Campus and Curriculum Award, first presented last year. He will receive a $500 award from the Office of the Provost.
The Faculty Member of the Year was chosen from among the previous academic year’s winners of Research, Service and Outstanding Teaching Awards. One faculty member each semester is presented with an award in each of those three categories. Smith was one of the two 2013-2014 winners of the Research and Scholarly Activities Award. The other was Dr. Justin Evans, instructor of management and marketing.
The two Service Award winners during 2012-2013 were Dr. Elmer Finck, professor of biological sciences, and Dr. Curt Brungardt, Omer G. Voss Distinguished Professor of Leadership Studies and director of the Center for Civic Leadership. The 2013-2014 Outstanding Teaching Award winners were Dr. Joyce Ellis, associate professor of health and human performance, and Kris Munsch, assistant professor of applied technology.
Each of those awards carries a $500 cash benefit.
The Shearer Award winner is selected from nominees of the university’s four colleges. Three colleges nominated faculty advisors this year. Maricle was nominated by the College of Health and Life Sciences. The other nominees were Karrie Simpson Voth, professor of art and design from the College of Arts and Sciences; Cole Engel, instructor of economics, finance and accounting, from the College of Business and Entrepreneurship; and Dr. Adam Holden, assistant professor and chair of the Department of Teacher Education, representing the College of Education and Technology.
The Shearer Award winner receives a stipend of $500, and the other three nominees receive $150. The cash award is sponsored by Commerce Bank. Maricle, as the Shearer Award winner, will also be nominated by the university for the National Academic Advising Association Award.
This year, for the first time, recognition was given to adjunct faculty for outstanding online education. One from each of the university’s academic colleges was recognized: Julie Zollinger, College of Arts and Sciences; Rachel Dolechek, College of Business and Entrepreneurship; Dr. Rita Hauck, College of Education and Technology; and Dr. Jim Krob, College of Health and Life Sciences.