Distinguished scholars. Enthusiastic teachers. Selfless leaders. 

The spotlight shone on several members of the Miami University community during Wednesday’s University Awards Ceremony. 

Friends, family, and colleagues gathered at Marcum Conference Center to celebrate faculty and staff during the annual event. Miami President Gregory Crawford lauded the recipients for engaging the mission of the university and empowering its students to pursue their dreams. 

“They are all in on student success and a student-ready campus,” President Crawford said. 

“They’ve inspired us, and we aspire to be like them. They motivate us.” 

More than 20 Miamians and three departments earned honors, given by President Crawford, provost Elizabeth Mullenix, and Rick Page, associate vice president for research and innovation, who delivered remarks for the inaugural Excellence in Research and Innovation awards. 

“You are providing an incredibly rich experience for our beloved students,” Mullenix said of the honorees. “Thank you so much for all that you do.” 

The 2024 honorees include: 

Benjamin Harrison Medallion

• Helaine Alessio, professor and chair of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health
• Christopher Makaroff, professor and dean of the College of Arts and Science

Distinguished Service Award

• Lana Kay Rosenberg, associate professor of Sport Leadership and Management
• Brent Shock, former vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Success, special assistant to the president for strategic planning

E. Phillips Knox Distinguished Teaching Award

• Mary Ben Bonham, professor and coordinator of the Interior Design program

Roger and Joyce Howe Award for Excellence in Disciplinary Writing Instruction

• Anne Whitesell, assistant professor of Political Science and associate director of the Menard Family Center for Democracy

University Faculty Scholar Award

• John Bowblis, professor of Economics and research fellow of the Scripps Gerontology Center
• Katie Johnson, professor of English and affiliate of Global and Intercultural Studies
• Michele Navakas, professor of English and co-director of the Literature program

University Junior Faculty Scholar Award

• Shijie Zhou, assistant professor of Chemical, Paper, and Biomedical Engineering
• Yingbin Hu, assistant professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
• Peter Nencka, assistant professor of Economics

Excellence in Research and Innovation

• Angela Curl, associate professor of Family Science and Social Work – Transdisciplinary Research
• Michelle Cosmah, clinical professor of Teaching, Curriculum, and Educational Inquiry – Pedagogy
• Katy Abbott, executive director of the Scripps Gerontology Center – Social Sciences
• Cricket Meehan, director of the Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs – Outreach
• Andrea Kravats, associate professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry – Natural Sciences
• Scott Kenworthy, associate professor of Comparative Religion – Humanities
• Kate Kuvalanka, professor Family Science and Social Work – Education
• Randi Thomas, vice president of ASPIRE – Economic Development
• Justin Saul, professor of Chemical, Paper, and Biomedical Engineering – Engineering
• Xiao-Wen Cheng, associate professor of Microbiology – Commercialization

MAC Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Success

• Mark Krekeler, associate professor of Geology and Mathematical and Physical Sciences

University Assessment Award

• Department of English
• Department of Media, Journalism, and Film
• Department of Educational Psychology

Prior to the ceremony, a slideshow displaying the honorees’ achievements played for the Marcum attendees.

“Your efforts and your extraordinary accomplishments set the bar high for all of us,” President Crawford said. “It impacts the institution, it impacts the individuals here at Miami University, and it makes a big ripple effect in society.”

Look for more stories on several of the award winners during the coming weeks posted on the Miami University news site.