For the first time, the College of Engineering combined its Awards for Excellence ceremony with its faculty awards, which were previously given at the annual faculty meeting.
This year, the college recognized:
- 18 staff members who were nominated for an Awards for Excellence, and four staff members who won the award
- 18 faculty members who have won awards at the college, university or national level
- 12 staff members who have been named Pride of the Wolfpack winners in the last year
Awards for Excellence
The college’s Awards for Excellence are part of the broader university and State of North Carolina Awards for Excellence. The award is the most prestigious honor bestowed upon non-faculty employees and recognizes recipients in the following categories: Customer Service, Efficiency and Innovation, Safety and Heroism, Human Relations, Outstanding State Government Service, Public Service, and Spirit of North Carolina.
From left: Rachael Ayres, Fiona Baxter, Paula Hubbell, MaryClare Robbins, Sean West
EPS winners:
- Paula Hubbell, Senior Business Manager, College of Engineering
Hubbell won in the Customer Service category for her leadership in strategic improvements to the college’s finance operations and for her mentorship of new accounting technicians and support of units throughout the college.
- Sean West, IT Operations Analyst and Research Lab Safety Officer, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
West won in the Safety and Heroism Category for his exceptional work ethic, technical expertise and commitment to safety and crisis management, which have made him indispensable to the department.
EPS nominees:
- Rachael Ayres, Academic Advisor, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
- Fiona Baxter, Associate Executive Director, Industry Expansion Solutions and Assistant Director, North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership
- Mario Milev, Assistant Director of Graduate Programs, Department of Nuclear Engineering
- MaryClare Robbins, Coordinator of Advising, COE Office of Academic Affairs
SHRA winners:
From left: Christiana Boyle, Danielle Herman, Merronda Harvell, Rob Lasson, Kara Mack, Kathleen Clardy, Donna Richards, Jessica Sudduth, Tina Sattler, Meghan Metcalfe
- Kathleen Clardy, Public Communications Specialist, Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
Clardy won in the category of Customer Service. She works hard to represent all of the department’s cohorts — faculty, staff, postdocs, graduate students, undergraduate students, department friends, and alumni — in her efforts to elevate the department’s reputation and stature.
- Jessica Sudduth, Executive Assistant, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Sudduth also won for Customer Service, as she goes above and beyond to manage many critical roles in the department, including logistics for events, seminars, faculty hiring, and space utilization.
SHRA nominees:
- Christiana Boyle, Business Manager, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Jodie Gregoritsch, Graduate Services Coordinator, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
- Merronda Harvell, Accountant, Dean’s Office
- Danielle Herman, Associate Director of Communication, Engineering Communications
- Robert Lasson, Director of Creative Services, Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Kara Mack, Sponsored Research Administrator, Department of Computer Science
- Meghan Metcalfe, Manager for HR Programs and Training, Dean’s Office
- Donna Richards, Assistant Director of Research Administration, Department of Computer Science
- Danielle Riegel, Manager of Enrichment, Professional Development and Partnerships, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Tina Sattler, Accountant, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
George H. Blessis Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award
This award recognizes faculty members who consistently and willingly give their time and effort to advising, counseling and mentoring students and assisting student groups. It is a continuing memorial to George H. Blessis, a faculty member whose interest in undergraduate education and advising serves as an example today.
Giorgio Proestos, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
Proestos is known throughout the department for his genuine care for his students and the dedication he has for his teaching and research. His overarching philosophy when advising, teaching and supporting undergraduates is to empower them to make real and significant contributions in research, industry and the activities they participate in during their time at NC State.
Alcoa Foundation Distinguished Engineering Research Award
This award recognizes a senior faculty member for research achievements made over a period of at least five years at NC State.
Yong Zhu, Associate Department Head for Research and Faculty Advancement and Andrew A. Adams Distinguished Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Zhu has made seminal contributions to the fundamental understanding of nanomaterials, particularly in the mechanics of nanowires and graphene. His pioneering research on stretchable and wearable electronics has earned widespread recognition. He stands out for his ability to blend fundamental discoveries with applications of societal impact.
Alcoa Foundation Research Achievement Award
This award recognizes young faculty members for significant research contributions during the preceding three years at NC State.
Albert Keung, Associate Professor, University Faculty Scholar and Goodnight Distinguished Scholar, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.
Keung’s research applies the general principle of engineering molecular and cellular systems to understand and harness biology. In the past three years, his lab has contributed significant insights to three fields: DNA-based information systems, epigenome engineering and human neurological disorders.
Goodnight Early Career Innovators Award
- Katherine Anarde, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
- Nathan Crook, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Jordan Kern, Assistant Professor, Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Sara Shashaani, Assistant Professor, Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers
Jie Yin, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Yin is the second faculty member in the department and the seventh at NC State to win this award, which recognizes his innovative research on fundamental mechanics and functionality of novel materials and structures at all scales. Read more.
University Faculty Scholars
- Matthew Fisher, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Lilian Hsiao, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Arun Kota, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Marie Muller, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Cheryl Xu, Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Award
Supported by the NC State Alumni Association, this is one of the most prestigious awards given on campus to recognize excellence in undergraduate education.
Casey Dietrich, Professor, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
Dietrich’s teaching philosophy is based on learning by doing, and he encourages active, team-based learning in his classrooms. Since starting at NC State in 2013, he has created curriculum and hired two faculty members to create the coastal engineering program. He works hard to create collaborative teaching and research environments, and he always prioritizes the interests and wellbeing of his students.
Outstanding Teacher Award
Given by the College of Engineering, this award recognizes excellence in teaching at all levels and is a prerequisite for being considered for the Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Alumni Distinguished Professor Award. Recipients are members of the Academy of Outstanding Teachers for as long as they are NC State faculty members.
- Douglas Call, Associate Professor, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
Call’s philosophy is that teaching is a two-way street. He encourages active dialogue in his classroom and engages with students throughout lectures, as well as incorporates relevant events and news into practice problems and assessments.
- Jason King, Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Computer Science
King’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the use of technology; holding students to high standards while being sensitive to different learning needs; and dedicated time to reflect on his own improvements as a teacher. Read more.
- Steven Welton, Teaching Professor, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
Through his professional experience and time teaching, Welton has found that an approach that balances theory and problem-solving, individual work and group work, and more, is the most effective way to teach and engage students.
College of Engineering Faculty Distinguished Service Award
Given by the dean, this award recognizes a faculty member who has made a significant impact on the College of Engineering.
John Gilligan, Distinguished Professor of Nuclear Engineering and former executive associate dean of the College of Engineering
Gilligan received the award for his remarkable leadership, distinguished service, and support of countless Wolfpack engineering students, staff and faculty.
Pride of the Wolfpack winners:
- Christiana Boyle, Business Manager, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Leigh Ann Brain, Human Resources Specialist, Dean’s Office
- Jodie Gregoritsch, Graduate Services Coordinator, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
- Judith Kays, Research Technician, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
- Robert Lasson, Director of Creative Services, Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Meghan Metcalfe, Manager for HR Programs and Training, Dean’s Office
- Christopher Rock, Associate Research Faculty, Center for Additive Manufacturing and Logistics
- Ayana Ruffin, Contracts and Grants Manager, Department of Nuclear Engineering
- Linda Smith, Graduate Services Coordinator, Operations Research
- Lauren Williamson, Accounting Technician, Department of Computer Science
- Bianca Woodard, Accountant, Department of Computer Science
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