Hailey
Missouri S&T Faculty: Missouri University of Science and Technology recently celebrated a major achievement when it honored 26 faculty members for their dedication to teaching, research and service. The awards were presented during a special luncheon on December 3 at the Havener Center.
This yearly event shines a light on the people who make the university a strong and respected STEM institution. The recognition shows how important great educators and researchers are in shaping student success and supporting the university’s mission.
Faculty Achievement Award
Missouri S&T Faculty: The Faculty Achievement Award is given to non-tenure-track faculty members who show strong performance in at least two areas: teaching, research and service. These educators play a big role in supporting students and improving the academic environment.
Recipients:
• Dr. Ryan Hutcheson – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Dr. Rachel Schneider – English and Technical Communication
• Dr. Katie Shannon – Biological Sciences
Faculty Excellence Award
Missouri S&T Faculty: This award recognizes tenured or tenure-track professors who have consistently excelled in teaching, research and service. These faculty members have built a strong record of achievement over time and continue to make meaningful contributions to their fields.
Recipients:
• Dr. Casey Canfield – Engineering Management and Systems Engineering
• Dr. Serhat Hosder – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Dr. Jonathan Obrist-Farner – Earth Sciences and Engineering
Faculty Research Award
Missouri S&T Faculty: The Faculty Research Award honors professors who have made significant progress in research and scholarly work over the past two years. Their research helps advance the university’s reputation and contributes to new discoveries in engineering, science and technology.
Recipients:
• Dr. Marco Cavaglia – Physics
• Dr. Jie Huang – Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Dr. Ulrich Jentschura – Physics
• Dr. Monday Okoronkwo – Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
• Dr. Shun Saito – Physics
Faculty Service Award
This award recognizes faculty members who have shown outstanding service to the university and their profession. Their dedication goes beyond the classroom as they support programs, committees and community needs.
Recipients:
• Dr. Petra DeWitt – History
• Dr. Amber Henslee – Psychological Science
• Dr. Nishant Kumar – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Dr. Jenny Liu – Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
• Dr. Matt Thimgan – Biological Sciences
• Dr. Agnes Vojta – Physics
Faculty Teaching Award
The Faculty Teaching Award focuses on excellence in teaching and classroom innovation. These educators create engaging learning experiences and inspire students through creative methods and strong subject knowledge.
Recipients:
• Julia Alexander – Education
• Mathew Goldberg – English and Technical Communication
• Dr. Katherine Grote – Earth Sciences and Engineering
• Dr. Warner Meeks – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Dr. Kathryn Northcut – English and Technical Communication
• Dr. Michael Peterson – Arts, Languages and Philosophy
• Dr. Joshua Schlegel – Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science
• Dr. Katherine Sharp – Education
Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
One of the highest honors presented was the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award goes to a faculty member who stands out for exceptional teaching, creative course design, strong advising and dedication to student success.
The 2025 recipient was Dr. Andrew Behrendt from the Department of History and Political Science.
Summary of Awards
| Category | Purpose | Number of Recipients |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty Achievement Award | Excellence in teaching, research or service | 3 |
| Faculty Excellence Award | Strong performance in all major academic areas | 3 |
| Faculty Research Award | Major research achievements | 5 |
| Faculty Service Award | Outstanding service to university and profession | 6 |
| Faculty Teaching Award | Excellence in teaching | 8 |
| Governor’s Award | Top statewide teaching honor | 1 |
Missouri S&T’s celebration of 26 faculty members shows how much the university values dedication, innovation and academic growth. These awards highlight the hard work of professors who support students, push research forward and strengthen the university community.
Their achievements reflect the university’s commitment to high-quality education and its role as a leading STEM institution.