Celebration of Faculty Excellence

2026 Celebration of Faculty Excellence

Once a year, the faculty of South Dakota State University come together to celebrate and recognize successes through the Celebration of Faculty Excellence event.

Event Program

This year's event will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

2 p.m. David Fee Memorial Lecture
Hobo Day Gallery/Campanile Room 169

3 p.m. Sewrey Colloquium
Hobo Day Gallery/Campanile Room 169

3 p.m. Creative and Fine Arts - Instructor of Music Anna DeGraff, Instructor Bradley Snyder, and Assistant Professor Mark Stevens, School of Performing Arts

3:15 p.m. Research and Scholarship - Associate Professor Nicholas Butzin, Biology and Microbiology

3:30 p.m. Teaching and Learning - Assistant Professor Hayden Barber, Communication and Journalism

3:45 p.m. Service - Assistant Professor Shola Aromona, Communication and Journalism

2-5:30 p.m. Faculty Showcase
Volstorff Ballroom Lounge
Faculty posters should be posted and ready for viewing by 2 p.m. The faculty member or team member should be present at the poster from 4-5:30 p.m.

Faculty Showcase Information

4:30 p.m. Reception and Small Plates Meal
Volstorff Ballroom
Enjoy meal stations offering a variety of unique menu offerings and beverages. Come early, connect with colleagues and enjoy the evening.

6 p.m. Awards Program
Volstorff Ballroom

The annual awards program will celebrate the great achievements of SDSU faculty.

*Parking is available in the East and West Union lots after 4 p.m. and in the Union Pay lot prior.

Awards

2025 Awards

College Outstanding Researchers

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Outstanding Researcher
- Sunish Sehgal, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Agronomy, Horticultural and Plant Science
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Outstanding Researcher
- Leda Cempellin, Ph.D., professor, School of Design
College of Education and Human Sciences Outstanding Researcher
- Allison Barry, Ph.D., assistant professor, School of Health and Human Sciences
Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering Outstanding Researcher
- Semhar Michael, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics
College of Natural Sciences Outstanding Researcher
- Nicholas Butzin, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Biology and Microbiology
College of Nursing Outstanding Researcher
- Theresa Garren-Grubbs, DNP, clinical assistant professor, College of Nursing
College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions Outstanding Researcher
- Jordan Baye, Pharm.D., associate professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice

Faculty Award for International Research

Luz Kirschner, Ph.D., associate professor, School of American and Global Studies
Sunish Sehgal, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Agronomy, Horticultural and Plant Science

Dr. Sherwood and Elizabeth Berg Research Young Faculty Award

Sherwood Berg was president of SDSU from 1975-84 and was the first SDSU graduate to serve in this role. He served in World War II and was a U.S. agricultural attaché. Elizabeth Berg, first lady emeritus, was awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Public Service for her volunteer leadership and service.

Aritra Banerjee, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

F.O. Butler Award for Excellence in Research

Adam Hoppe, Ph.D., professor, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics

Extension

Award for Excellence in Outreach and Engagement

Jamie Folsom, Ph.D., assistant professor, School of American and Global Studies

David Fee Memorial Lecture

David Fee was a professor of philosophy and religion at SDSU from 1964-87. He was known to live “the life of the mind” and was an advocate for cross-disciplinary learning, inquiry and collegiality.

Kristi Cammack, Ph.D., assistant dean of West River operations, director of SDSU West River Research and Extension, professor in College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

F.O. Butler Award for Excellence in Community/Professional Service

Amber Jensen, MFA, senior lecturer, School of English and Interdisciplinary Studies

F.O. Butler Award for Excellence in Extension/Outreach

Julie Walker, Ph.D., professor and SDSU Extension beef specialist, Department of Animal Science, SDSU Extension

Teaching

Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring Award

Maneesha Mohan, Ph.D., associate professor and Alfred Chair in Dairy Manufacturing, Department of Dairy and Food Science

Excellence in Online Teaching Award

Kristin Lenertz-Kersey, M.S., lecturer, Department of Biology and Microbiology

Timothy J. Nicholas Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Student Advising

Donna Flint, Ph.D., assistant department head/professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Edward Patrick Hogan Awards for Teaching Excellence

Edward Hogan served many different roles during his 36-year career at SDSU, including professor and head of the Department of Geography, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, assistant vice president for academic affairs and chief information technology officer.

Judy Vondruska, Ph.D., senior lecturer, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics
Ekaterina Koromyslova, Ph.D., associate professor/M.S. operations management program coordinator, Ness School of Management and Operations

Dr. Harold and Barbara Bailey Award for Excellence in Academic Department Leadership

Harold Bailey served SDSU as vice president for academic affairs for 24 years. From 1979-1985, he also directed programs to develop departmental leadership for the South Dakota and North Dakota Boards of Regents and the American Council on Education.

Robert Watrel, Ph.D., department head and associate professor of geography, College of Natural Sciences

F.O. Butler Award for Excellence in Teaching

Sanjeev Anand, Ph.D., professor, Department of Dairy and Food Science

Distinguished Professor

Jihong Cole-Dai, Ph.D., professor, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics

2026 Awards