Three members of the Arkansas Tech University faculty have been recognized for their contributions to the campus community with a 2023 ATU Faculty Award of Excellence.
Dr. Douglas Barron, associate professor of biology, is the 2023 ATU Faculty Award of Excellence winner in the teaching category.
Dr. Masanori Kuroki, associate professor of economics, received the 2023 ATU Faculty Award of Excellence in the scholarly and creative activities category.
Dr. Sean Reed, associate professor of music, won the 2023 ATU Faculty Award of Excellence in the service category.
Barron joined the Arkansas Tech faculty in 2016. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Illinois. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Washington State University.
Kuroki has served on the Arkansas Tech faculty since 2013. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from California State University and his Master of Science degree from California State Polytechnic University. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University of California.
Reed became an Arkansas Tech faculty member in 2012. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Texas, a Master of Music degree from Rice University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Rochester.
The ATU Faculty Awards of Excellence were founded in 1996. To be eligible, a faculty member must be tenured and hold the current rank of associate professor or professor.
The 2023 winners were announced during a faculty awards event at the Hull Building Student Union on Thursday, May 4.
In addition to the 2023 ATU Faculty Awards of Excellence, ATU faculty members were also recognized for reaching milestones in their service to the institution, for retirement, for earning promotion and tenure and for receiving emeritus status during the 2022-23 academic year.
Additional faculty recognitions during the May 4 event included:
20 Years of Service
Alice Batch, assistant professor of business
Lyn Brands, associate professor of art
Dr. Loretta Cochran, associate professor of management
Becky Cunningham, assistant professor of computer and information science
Dr. John Jackson, head, Department of Biological Sciences and professor of fisheries science
Dr. Thomas Limperis, associate professor of mathematics
Dr. Terri McKown, professor of nursing
Dr. Susan Underwood, professor of student affairs administration
Dr. Thomas Vaughn, professor of communication
25 Years of Service
Dr. Tim Carter, associate dean, College of Education and Health and professor of curriculum and instruction
Dr. Robert Fithen, associate professor of mechanical engineering
Dr. Mary B. Gunter, chief of staff and distinguished professor of educational leadership
Dr. Timothy Smith, professor of music
Dr. Tsunemi Yamashita, professor of biology
30 Years of Service
Dr. Jennifer Helms, professor of nursing
35 Years of Service
Dr. David Bell, head/director of educator licensure and support services and professor of curriculum and instruction
Dr. Kevin Mason, professor of marketing
Dr. Dana Ward, professor of Spanish
40 Years of Service
Dr. Ursula Chandler, professor of German
College of Arts and Humanities Retirees
Dr. H. Micheal Tarver, professor of history – 21 years
Elaine Tise, instructor of English – 10 Years
Dr. Deborah Wilson, professor of English – 31 years
College of Business and Economic Development Retirees
Alice Batch, assistant professor of business – 20 years
Dr. Linda Bean, dean, College of Education and Health, and professor of business – 23 years
Dr. William Hoefler, professor of agriculture – 19 years
Dr. Melinda Wilkins, professor of health informatics and director of health information management – 34 years
College of Education and Health Retirees
Dr. Rebecca Callaway, professor of curriculum and instruction – 17 years
Dr. Mary B. Gunter, chief of staff and distinguished professor of educational leadership – 25 years
Dr. Randy Kirkpatrick, assistant professor of health and physical education – 34 years
Dr. Sandra Smith, head, Department of Emergency Management, Professional Studies and Student Affairs Administration and professor of emergency management – 12 years
Teresa Toland, associate professor of curriculum and instruction – 9 years
Dr. Susan Underwood, professor of student affairs administration – 20 years
College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Retiree
Donna Sherrill, assistant professor of mathematics – 31 years
Promotion to Professor
Dr. Jeff Aulgur, Department of Emergency Management, Professional Studies and Student Affairs Administration
Dr. Barbara Clements, Department of Music
Dr. Nicolas del Grazia, Department of Music
Dr. Lisa Harless, Department of Nursing
Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, Department of Teaching and Educational Leadership
Dr. Efosa Idemudia, School of Business
Dr. Jerry Wood, Department of Engineering and Computing Sciences
Promotion to Associate Professor
William Reeder, Department of Communication and Media Studies
Megan Toland, Department of Communication and Media Studies
Promotion to Associate Professor and Tenure
Dr. Lisa Dubose, Department of Nursing
Dr. Christopher Harris, Department of Music
Dr. Seyed Hosseini, Department of Engineering and Computing Sciences
Dr. Mehmet Kelestemur, Department of Engineering and Computing Sciences
Dr. Gregory Michna, Department of History and Political Science
Dr. Jay Post, Department of Agriculture and Tourism
Dr. Bryan Rank, Department of Agriculture and Tourism
Dr. Rodney Roosevelt, Department of Behavioral Sciences
Dr. Robert Stevens, Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science
Dr. Wan Wei, School of Business
Dr. Matthew Wilson, Department of Agriculture and Tourism
Tenure
Dr. Michael Bradley, Department of Agriculture and Tourism
Dr. Theresa Cullen, Department of Teaching and Educational Leadership
Dr. Sarah Gordon, Department of Teaching and Educational Leadership
Promotion to Senior Instructor
Kasey Ballard, Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Gabriele Haulmark, Department of English and World Languages
Emeritus
Dr. Nina Goza, professor emeritus of accounting
Dr. Shelia Jackson, professor emeritus of kinesiology and rehabilitation science
