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Teachers, researchers, mentors and students honored

The Campus Center is pictured from the sky.
The Campus Center is pictured from the sky.

IUPUI teachers, researchers, mentors and students were recognized at the annual Chancellor’s Academic Honors Convocation, held in person for the first time in two years.

The Chancellor’s Academic Honors Convocation is a celebration of outstanding achievements by IUPUI faculty, staff and students across all areas of IUPUI’s mission: excellence in teaching and learning; excellence in research, scholarship and creative activity; excellence in civic engagement; and excellence in diversity, collaboration and best practices.

In his remarks, Interim IUPUI Chancellor Andrew Klein congratulated all honorees, speaking of the courage and resiliency the IUPUI community has displayed over the past year.

“This convocation is much more than a celebration; it is a powerful message about who we are as a campus: dynamic, collaborative, engaged, innovative, service-minded and community-focused,” Klein said. “It is also a way for us to recognize that we are in this together. We are a family at IUPUI, and when one of us succeeds, all of us do.”

Paul Mullins and Stuart Warden. Paul Mullins and Stuart Warden.

Paul Mullins, a professor in the School of Liberal Arts, and Stuart Warden, a professor in the School of Health & Human Sciences, were named Chancellor’s Professors, the most distinguished appointment a faculty member can receive at IUPUI.

Contributions by campus mentors to strengthen IUPUI’s academic reputation were also recognized:

  • Alvin S. Bynum Award for Excellence in Academic Mentoring for faculty: Nancy Robertson, associate professor, School of Liberal Arts.
  • Alvin S. Bynum Award for Excellence in Academic Mentoring for staff: Eric Williams, senior director of educational equity programs, University College.

Other awards focused on teaching and research:

  • Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching: Crystal Walcott, professor, IUPUC Division of Education.
  • Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Multicultural Teaching: Lasana Kazembe, assistant professor, School of Education.

  • Chancellor’s Diversity Scholar Award: Jennifer Thorington Springer, professor, School of Liberal Arts.
  • Glenn W. Irwin Jr., M.D., Research Scholar Award: Melissa Cyders, professor, School of Science.

Awards presented to recognize contributions in civic engagement were:

  • Chancellor’s Faculty Award for Excellence in Civic Engagement: Carrie Foote, associate professor, School of Liberal Arts.
  • Chancellor’s Community Award for Excellence in Civic Engagement: Dr. Virginia Caine, director, Marion County Public Health Department.

  • Glenn W. Irwin Jr., M.D., Experience Excellence Award: Leslie Ashburn-Nardo, professor, School of Science, and Heather Kelker, clinical assistant professor, School of Medicine.

These award categories honor students:

  • Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research: Alexa Soto, School of Science.
  • Sherry Queener Graduate Student Excellence Award: Ellie Lawson, School of Liberal Arts, and Vik Meadows, School of Medicine.

  • Chancellor’s Scholars.

Information on award nominations for next year’s convocation can be found on the Honors and Awards webpage.