The Ohio State University recognized faculty members for their contributions to teaching, research, and service at the annual Faculty Awards Celebration held on May 6. The event took place at Vitria on the Square on Ohio State’s Columbus campus.
President Ravi V. Bellamkonda said that the work of educators is fundamental to the university’s land-grant mission. “The question is, what should we be doing together and what’s the goal for us as we move forward? I’d like to suggest that I would like for all of us to give ourselves the gift of reasonably high expectations of what we can achieve together, and you exemplify this,” Bellamkonda told the honorees. He continued, “I’m optimistic about our future because of what you do in the classroom and the scholarship and the mentoring and the teaching and the community that you have created.”
Interim Provost Trevor Brown highlighted faculty impact during his remarks. “I want to acknowledge how special all of our faculty are in the work that they do in generating knowledge and sharing that with students and the broader community,” he said. “That is important and essential work.”
This year, six professors received Ohio State’s highest faculty honor: Distinguished University Professor appointments were awarded to Gail E. Besner (College of Medicine), Shan-Lu Liu (College of Veterinary Medicine), Alan Luo (College of Engineering), Giorgio Rizzoni (College of Engineering), Brent Sohngen (College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences), and Claudia Turro (College of Arts and Sciences). Patrick Louchouarn, senior vice provost for leadership and external engagement, explained: “The title of distinguished university professor is a permanent honorific that includes automatic membership in the president’s and provost’s advisory committee.” Three professors—Caroline T. Clark (Education & Human Ecology), Susan E. Cole (Arts & Sciences), John E. Davidson (Arts & Sciences)—were recognized with President and Provost’s Award for Distinguished Faculty Service.
Other awards included Distinguished Scholar Awards presented to six faculty members from various colleges; recognition for recipients of both Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer—including Christiane Buuck, Alexia Leonard, David Matthews, Calvin Olsen, U.S. Navy Lt. Michael L. Terranova, Jennifer Walters—and Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching honorees such as Jasmine Abukar, Yigit Akin, Dawn Allain among others across several colleges.
Helen Malone, vice provost for faculty affairs said these teaching award honorees “are inducted into the Academy of Teaching and are honored with the academy’s medallion,” adding “Academy of Teaching members wear these distinctive medallions as part of their academic regalia.”
The university supports its academic mission through statewide outreach initiatives such as operating six campuses across Ohio along with 88 Extension offices serving every county; it also contributes through affordable education programs alongside innovative research efforts according to The Ohio State University’s official website. Notable facilities include Wexner Center for Arts supporting academics alongside recreation centers; athletic programs compete in 36 varsity sports having claimed numerous Big Ten championships according to The Ohio State University’s official website.
