Professor Theodora Dragostinova was presented with the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching at a recent ceremony. The following is the Ohio State News article by Chris Bournea about the event.

Ohio State faculty recognized for service to university, community

Faculty Awards Celebration honors academic excellence

Educators at The Ohio State University were recognized for their professional accomplishments during the 2022-23 academic year at the Faculty Awards Celebration. The event was held April 28 at the Ohio Union. 

“This is a special moment in our academic calendar that brings us together to highlight our amazing faculty members who have received the university’s highest honors as teachers, as 

Executive Vice President and Provost Melissa Gilliam

scholars and as service leaders,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Melissa Gilliam. “These colleagues represent the extraordinary quality that our faculty members bring to our students, to the university community and beyond.”  

The Distinguished University Professor award, Ohio State’s highest faculty honor, was presented to Stuart L. Cooper, Distinguished Professor of Engineering in the William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering; Elena G. Irwin, Distinguished Professor of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Economics and Sustainability, and faculty director of the Sustainability Institute; and Stanley Lemeshow, professor of biostatistics and the founding dean of the College of Public Health from 2003-2013.  

“This honor is presented annually to up to three tenure-track full professors who have truly exceptional records in teaching, research, scholarly or creative work and in service,” said Helen Malone, vice provost for academic policy and faculty resources. “They receive a $30,000 one-time grant and automatically become members of the President’s and Provost’s Advisory Committee.”  

Also presented during the ceremony was the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching. Honorees are inducted into the university’s Academy of Teaching, which provides leadership for the improvement of teaching at Ohio State. 

“As they pay forward each day by preparing the next generation of thought leaders, these distinguished teachers represent the true spirit of who we are as Buckeyes,” said Molly Ranz Calhoun, president and CEO of The Ohio State University Alumni Association. “They’re inspiring today’s students, who, in turn, will become tomorrow’s alumni.”  

The 2023 Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching honorees are: 

Sheikh Akbar, professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering. 

Steven Brown, associate professor of teaching, Department of Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences. 

Amy Brunell, professor, Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, Ohio State Mansfield. 

Christin Burd, associate professor, Department of Molecular Genetics, College of Arts and Sciences; and Department of Cancer and Biology and Genetics, College of Medicine. 

Lin Ding, professor, Department of Teaching and Learning, College of Education and Human Ecology. 

Theodora Dragostinova, professor, Department of History, College of Arts and Sciences. 

Ashley Hope Pérez, assistant professor, Department of Comparative Studies, College of Arts and Sciences. 

Stephen John Quaye, professor and chair, Higher Education and Student Affairs Program, Department of Educational Studies, College of Education and Human Ecology. 

Vincent Roscigno, College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor, Department of Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences. 

Abdollash Shafieezadeh, Lichtenstein Associate Professor, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering. 

Faculty who received the Distinguished Scholar Award have demonstrated scholarly activity, research or creative works that represent outstanding achievements in their fields, said Cynthia Carnes, senior associate vice president for research operations. 

“The Distinguished Scholar Award annually recognizes six researchers for their exceptional scholarly accomplishments,” she said. “The recipients of the Distinguished Scholar Award are awarded a $20,000 grant and a $3,000 honorarium.” 

The 2023 Distinguished Scholar Award honorees are:   

Adélékè Adéèkó, Distinguished Professor of Humanities, Department of English, and interim chair of the Department of African American and African Studies, College of Arts and Sciences.  

Jeffrey Chalmers, professor, Helen C. Kurtz Chair in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering. 

Korie Little Edwards, professor, Department of Sociology, and interim associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion, College of Arts and Sciences. 

Mohit Randeria, professor, Department of Physics, College of Arts and Sciences. 

Matthew Sullivan, professor, Department of Microbiology, College of Arts and Sciences; and Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, College of Engineering. 

Xiaodong Zhang, Robert M. Critchfield Professor in Engineering, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Engineering.   

Also during the ceremony, three professors were recognized with the President and Provost’s Award for Distinguished Faculty Service: Kay Bea Jones, a professor in the Knowlton School of Architecture, College of Engineering; Steven Lopez, associate professor, Department of Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences; and Piers Norris Turner, associate professor, Department of Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences, and director of the Center for Ethics and Human Values. 

“These awardees are tireless servants of the university whose work has had a demonstratable impact,” said Patrick Louchouarn, senior vice provost for faculty. “They will receive a $3,000 cash award and a $1,200 increase in their base salary, both from the Office of Academic Affairs.” 

Other honors presented during the Faculty Awards Celebration included the Community Engaged Scholar Award. Recipients included Scott Graves Jr., associate professor of educational studies, College of Education and Human Ecology; Nyama McCarthy-Brown, associate professor, Department of Dance, College of Arts and Sciences, and Ohio State’s inaugural Artist Laureate; Timothy McDermott, assistant professor and extension educator, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; and Susan Melsop, associate professor, Department of Design, College of Arts and Sciences.  

“This award recognizes faculty members whose engaged scholarship has impacted communities around the globe,” said Ryan Schmiesing, senior vice provost for external engagement. “By doing so, their work has contributed significantly to Ohio State’s culture of engagement and strengthens the university’s commitment to supporting communities.”  

For a complete list of Faculty Awards recipients, visit https://universityawards.osu.edu/awards.