Distinguished Achievement Awards Ceremony Is April 24

For more than 60 years, Texas A&M University and The Association of Former Students have recognized the most deserving faculty and staff members with one of the university’s highest professional honors—the University-Level Distinguished Achievement Awards.

This year’s recipients were chosen for their stellar performances in teaching, research, student relations, continuing education, staff service and graduate student mentoring. Since the award’s inception in 1955, it has been presented to 1,050 professionals (including this year’s recipients) who have exhibited the highest standards of excellence at Texas A&M.

The 2017 Distinguished Achievement Awards will be formally presented during ceremonies beginning at 1:30 p.m. April 24 in Rudder Theatre on the Texas A&M University campus. In recognition of their achievements, honorees will receive a cash gift, an engraved watch and a commemorative plaque.

Through the generous support of former students and friends of Texas A&M, The Association of Former Students is able to support A&M faculty and staff through programs like the Distinguished Achievement Awards. The Distinguished Achievement Award is an award of excellence, and each of the 24 recipients is more than worthy of the distinction. Please join us as we congratulate the recipients of the 2017 University-Level Distinguished Achievement Awards.

FOR TEACHING

This award is presented to superior classroom teachers: individuals whose command of their respective discipline, teaching methodologies, pervasive caring, communication skills, and commitment to the learning process exemplify the meaning of “teacher” in its highest sense.

• Professor James D. Batteas, Department of Chemistry.
• Assistant Professor Ben F. Bigelow '05, Department of Construction Science.
• Professor Christian Brannstrom, Department of Geography.
• Associate Professor Audrey K. Cook, Department of Veterinary Small Animal Clinical Sciences.
• Associate Professor Alan Dabney, Department of Statistics.
• Associate Professor Amy E. Earhart '99, Department of English.
• Professor Larry Johnson, Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences.
• Associate Professor Mary P. McDougall '97, Department of Biomedical Engineering.
• Professor Mary Margaret “Meg” Penrose, School of Law.
• Professor Connie D. Weaver, Department of Accounting.

FOR RESEARCH

This award recognizes and rewards those individuals whose research efforts have been particularly significant and whose outstanding work is recognized locally, nationally, and internationally.

• Professor Wendy R. Boswell, Department of Management.
• Professor Timothy R. Elliott, Department of Educational Psychology.
• University Distinguished Professor Paul E. Hardin, Department of Biology.
• Professor Casey J. Papovich, Department of Physics and Astronomy.
• Professor Ping Yang, Department of Atmospheric Sciences.
• Professor Hong-Cai “Joe” Zhou '00, Department of Chemistry.

FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDENT RELATIONS 

This award recognizes, encourages, and rewards those employees whose professional relationships with students are particularly helpful and inspiring. 

• Assistant Dean Elizabeth Crouch '91, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
• Assistant Director Henry Musoma '00, Center for International Business Studies.

FOR ADMINISTRATION

This award recognizes, rewards, and encourages an administrator who has contributed to the welfare of Texas A&M University through outstanding administrative service beyond the expectation of the position.

• Vice Chancellor and Dean Mark A. Hussey '79, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

FOR EXTENSION, OUTREACH, CONTINUING EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

This award is presented to a staff member, faculty member or administrator who has brought credit to Texas A&M University through his or her dedication, enthusiasm, attitude, and effectiveness in the particular field of extension, continuing education or professional development in which he or she is engaged. 

• Associate Professor John T. Cooper, Jr. '92, Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning.

FOR STAFF

This award recognizes, rewards, and encourages a staff member who has contributed to the welfare of Texas A&M University through outstanding staff support beyond the expectations of the position.

• Business Administrator II Kevin Gustavus '08, College of Architecture Business Office.
• Director of Student Services Veronica (Sprayberry) Stilley '90, Department of Information and Operations Management.

FOR GRADUATE MENTORING

This award recognizes, encourages, and rewards superior faculty mentors of graduate students—those faculty who go well beyond advising by bringing their skills and commitment to students’ learning and professional development as future teachers, practitioners, researchers, and scholars through mentoring.

• University Distinguished Professor Robert S. Chapkin, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences.
• Professor Yalchin Efendiev, Department of Mathematics.