University Awards of Excellence

The Teaching award acknowledges those that improve student learning and prepare students to compete in the global marketplace.

Beulah Narendrapurapu, Ph.D.

Lecturer, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Science and Mathematics

Teaching Award

“I see her sincerity, time dedication and immense passion for the tasks she undertakes…she genuinely cares about her students and wants them to earn knowledge and not just absorb the information…Beulah’s passion for teaching is dominantly visible. Pre-COVID, each semester, our department hosted a midterm ‘study mixer workshop.’ She co-led, coordinated and created worksheets for reviewing several topics during the study mixer. She seamlessly incorporates daily life examples (baking, cooking) to solve problems related to dimensional analysis and others. This aligns with her teaching philosophy that is: ‘to foster reasoning skills, I allow students to be in an environment of discovery.’”

– Debanjana Ghosh, Ph.D., M.Sc.

The Academic Excellence award recognizes those individuals who provide or promote educational opportunities or resources that stimulate students’ academic progression and graduation.

Heather Huling, M.Ed. (’08, ’12)

Instructor, Department of Elementary and Special Education, College of Education

Academic Excellence Award

“One of the most influential lessons I have ever been taught in life was during Mrs. Huling’s Curriculum and Methods course…Mrs. Huling modeled what it is like to be a flexible, understanding and kindhearted teacher. Now, being a first year teacher, Mrs. Huling continues to be an influential person in my life. She is someone I can always count on being there to listen and give me advice no matter if it is about the good, the bad or the ugly. Being a new teacher, I have been very thankful to have a support person cheering me on each step of the way. Heather Huling is the true definition of a good, dedicated, and impactful teacher and leader. She not only wants her students to succeed during the time in her class but in life.”

– Emily Bannister

The staff award for Research recognizes one staff member for outstanding support in the conduct of research or who have advanced processes, methods and systems through research.

The faculty award for Research recognizes a faculty member for excellence in research and/ or creative scholarly activity.

Tilicia Mayo-Gamble, Ph.D., MA, MPH, CHES

Assistant Professor, Department of Health Policy and Community Health, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health

Research Award

“Another noteworthy contribution of Dr. Mayo-Gamble’s work is reflected in the methodological approaches she undertakes in patient-centered, community-engaged research. She often utilizes both qualitative and quantitative methods, including using patient-driven and community research initiative processes, to gain greater insight on effective ways to enhance health and well-being of patients managing chronic disease. Further, she recognizes that health management does not occur in a vacuum, and as such her studies are designed to include not only the patient as research partners but also patients’ caregivers, medical health providers and community stakeholders to ensure that her work reflects the collaborative nature of health care management. Dr. Mayo-Gamble’s passion to develop innovative community-engaged and community-based strategies to increase access to quality healthcare services in medically underrepresented and medically underserved communities is evident of her commitment, resilience, and ‘can do’ attitude to engage in research that matters.”

– Velma McBride Murry, Ph.D.

The Discovery & Innovation award recognizes those individuals that promote creative scholarly activities, technologies and/ or environments that encourage innovative and problem-solving research collaboratives.

John Carroll, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Biology, College of Science and Mathematics

Discovery & Innovation Award

“…Dr. Carroll has combined thoughtful experimental design with an impressive command of the literature to isolate and probe key research questions across a range of topics, from plant-animal interactions to supply side, chemical and landscape ecology. Because his work remains grounded in theory and supported by careful manipulations, his results have advanced ecological thought and supported resource management decisions. For example, his groundbreaking work on macroalgae as alternative habitat for bay scallops remains the seminal treatment of the subject in New York and thus an important data point for the management of scallops there and elsewhere. The work also provides a rare quantitative example of how macroalgae functions in seagrass-dominated ecosystems – a topic of increasing relevance as drift algae come to replace seagrasses in many urbanized estuaries.”

– Bradley Furman, Ph.D.

Christy McNutt

Creative Services Manager, University Communications and Marketing

Discovery & Innovation Award

“Over the past two years, Christy has been a key individual for developing and perfecting the University’s refreshed visual identity that has helped achieve record freshman classes two years in a row…She dove into competitor research, studied branding case studies within higher education and beyond, and distilled the University’s mission and values. The outcome was a fresh new branding that’s allowed Georgia Southern to stand out from the crowd not only in Georgia, but also in new markets across the region.”

– Chris Camiscioli

The Operational Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Sustainability Award was designed to recognize those with a commitment increase operational efficiency and effectiveness while maximizing financial capital and human resources to ensure the University’s long-term sustainability–investing in our people and processes to grow others.

Lori Wiggins

Administrative Assistant II, Departments of Elementary and Special Education, and Middle Grades and Secondary Education, College of Education

Operational Efficiency, Effectiveness and Sustainability Award

“Lori embodies operational efficiency…and does it all with grace and a smile. Whether coordinating supplies for faculty, solving problems with the department’s copy machine or tracking down information for a student, Lori effectively and efficiently completes the task at hand. Innovative and creative in her problem-solving, she ensures faculty have the support and supplies needed to support student success. Whenever a colleague encounters a challenge, my advice is always to ‘ask Lori.’ She is unwavering in her willingness to ‘go the extra mile’ to help faculty and in the process contributes to the overall effectiveness of our college. Lori’s commitment to both effectiveness and efficiency of the college is also evident in her leadership role on the staff council. In this role, she facilitates communication among staff to ensure consistency of service across departments which directly impacts the quality of our students’ experiences and education.”

– Michelle Reidel, Ph.D.

The Sustainability Award was designed to recognize those with a commitment to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness while maximizing financial capital and human resources to ensure the University’s long-term sustainability–investing in our people and processes to grow others.

David Owens, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Department of Middle Grades and Secondary Education, College of Education

Sustainability Award

“…sustainability is a commitment that both grounds him and drives him. As a science educator, he is deeply engaged in sustainability-related issues and the complex ethical challenges they present… As he addresses sustainability-related issues in his classroom, he does so in a way that will sustain the impact of his instruction into future generations of science students…His excellence in teaching, research, and service are possible in part because of how his activities in all three areas cohere around science education and sustainability, the latter as an ethical commitment as much as an academic interest. As a humanist, Dr. Owens’ work acknowledges that human flourishing is only possible to the extent that our planet is inhabitable. Raising awareness of threats to that, in other words championing sustainability, is his moral starting point.”

– Amee Adkins, Ph.D.

The Community Engagement award was designed to give recognition to those who display outstanding community engagement in support of the University.

Mary Thaler

Administrative Assistant I, The STEM Center for Education, College of Education

Community Engagement Award

“I’ve seen Mary engage kids and parents on a personal level. Mary is also great at bringing volunteers together to accomplish the task at hand. She can make a successful community engagement happen on a large or small scale through event planning and coordinating effort…Mary will be the first to jump in to do whatever may need to be done, by offering services and providing opportunities for people like me to join her in engaging the community with excellence…Anytime something extra is needed, Mary is the first one to help. If you need a project accomplished just put Mary on it…Mary is a person that I would always want to have on my side. She is a great worker, volunteer, but most of all she is a great person and friend. I have known Mary for years and I am still amazed at the things she can accomplish.”

– Roberta Graham

Gloria Stuart, CPA, MAcc (’99)

Senior Lecturer, School of Accountancy, Parker College of Business

Community Engagement Award

It is a great privilege to to attest to the impact Gloria Stuart and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has made in the community…The program gives the accounting students an opportunity to put what they have learned in the classroom into practice…On the other hand, the community benefits by getting their taxes professionally prepared at no cost to them…She taught me to go the extra mile for people that you do not even know…As a college student, it is hard to be able to give money to help people that are in need. The VITA program gives us an avenue to contribute to society and to be able to help people save money and live more comfortably. This made me feel like I was able to make a small difference in the community…Along those served by the VITA program, I have truly benefited from Professor Stuart’s leadership, compassion and concern for her students and her community.”

– Katie Mancil

The Collaboration Award recognizes and promotes those who are dedicated to service to their departments, students, faculty, other departments on campus, and/ or the surrounding community through communication, innovation, integrity and inclusion.

Andrew Hansen, DrPH (’93, ’95, ’12)

Associate Professor, Department of Health Policy and Community Health, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health

Collaboration Award

“He holds a strong belief that all voices must be heard and is intentional in providing that channel for section leadership team members and member stakeholders (of the American Public Health Association) at large. The sense of group collective and teamwork is absolutely core to his values…Andrew once shared a story from his coaching days at Georgia Southern University and Statesboro High School of how he involved all players in devising a team expectations contract and the positive, motivational impact it had as players felt ownership and choice in how the team was managed. He inspired and encouraged many…that their voice and opinion matters – and continued to display this value…while being faithful to always asking and identifying opportunities for how we can include others in the decision-making process.”

– M. Margaret Barth, Ph.D

McKenzie Peterman, M.Ed. (’04, ’17)

Academic Advising Coordinator, Armstrong Advisement Center

Leadership Award

“McKenzie has dedicated her talents to multiple university departments throughout her career at Georgia Southern University. From serving as the Assistant Director in the Office of Multicultural Affairs to her numerous roles in the Office of Admissions and Office of Academic Advising, McKenzie has demonstrated her commitment to both the university and student success. Through her professional roles, McKenzie has invested her time and energy to the intentional development of both her students and professional staff. She is committed to developing their abilities to problem solve, think creatively, and recognize the importance of their support networks. She is an excellent resource and role model for everyone around her as she represents her authentic self on a daily basis and leads with her values.”

– Jodi Kennedy

Amy Luna, Ph.D.

Director, Psychology Clinic, Department of Psychology, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Leadership Award

“…she led the clinic’s transition to telehealth in response to the pandemic. The abrupt transition could have resulted in a loss of services to people needing therapy, but throughout this process no clinic clients went without service because of Dr. Luna’s heroic efforts…This required intensive planning of technical issues, addressing professional ethical considerations, and training the student therapists in these issues so they could work within appropriate standards. This occurred in a short time frame initially but involves ongoing work to adapt as policies in the profession are updated. As a result…(s)he has extended the reach of the clinic to Millen, Savannah, and throughout the state.”

– Michael Nielsen, Ph.D.

“In its inaugural year, The Eagle Experience was a university-wide initiative to create a comprehensive philosophy of programming and engagement that encompassed all new student elements from admission through the first year of enrollment resulting in desired first year outcomes. This reimagined and innovative programming focused on all aspects of new student transition to create a welcoming and engaging experience designed to provide students and supporters with the resources for academic and co-curricular success.”

– Brenda Richardson

“This team improved services to students at the critical period during students’ transition to the university…The Eagle Experience will forever transform students’ transition to Georgia Southern.”

– Shay Davis Little, Ph.D.