The Wrap-Up: May
Tammy Kernodle, University Distinguished Professor of Music, has recently been honored with two awards in the field of musicology. She received the Distinguished Service Citation from the Society for American Music, recognizing 30 years of service to the organization and her contributions to the discipline of musicology and American Music.Kernodle is a past president of the society. She also received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Music at Ohio State University, where she received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Music History. Learn more on the College of Creative Arts news page.
Anne Farrell, chair and PricewaterhouseCoopers Professor of Accountancy, received the American Accounting Association (AAA) 2025 Outstanding Service Award. The Outstanding Service Award recognizes outstanding services to the American Accounting Association other than educational and research contributions. The prestigious award is intended only for rare events or milestones achieved. Farrell previously won the award in 2019. She is only the second person to ever receive the award twice since it was first awarded in 1991.
Jeff Kruth, assistant professor of Architecture and Interior Design, is one of 12 architecture faculty nationwide in the 2025 cohort for the Academy for Public Scholarship on the Built Environment: HOUSING EQUITY. This cohort brings together twelve architecture faculty whose scholarship addresses housing equity and seeks to influence the policies and narratives shaping the built environment.
The Miami University Symphony Orchestra, directed by Ricardo Averbach, professor of Music and director of Orchestral Studies, is a national finalist for The American Prize for Orchestral Performance (College/University Division), honored for their compelling artistry and ensemble excellence, and for Orchestral Composition (Professional Division), honored for “Defiance” by Martin Hebel, commissioned by Averbach in celebration of MUSO’s 120th anniversary.
Averbach was previously named one of 11 finalists for The American Prize in Conducting (College/University Orchestra Division) for the 2025 award season.
Becky Sander, web marketing support specialist for University Communications and Marketing, was named the 2024-2025 Honors College Campus Partner of the Year in recognition of her exceptional partnership and collaboration around the continued development of the Honors College's web presence and the high quality of the Honors College website.
Rebecca Young, director of the Office of Student Wellness, received the Rachel Hutzel Prevention Partner Award from PreventionFIRST! for her work in prevention-focused wellness. She also received a special commendation from the Ohio Senate for her efforts to create a culture of wellness that truly supports student success
The Miller Center for Student Disability Services presented three awards for contributions and achievements that make Miami University a more inclusive place.
- The Campus Services Center received the Outstanding Partners in Access Award;
- Jill Russell, associate teaching professor of Biology, received the Outstanding Disability Advocate Award for Faculty;
- ElizaMarie Quinn-Alger, accessible technology coordinator in the AccessMU Center, received the Outstanding Disability Advocate Award for Staff.
Miami University Regionals faculty award recipients were honored at a reception in May:
- Nehad Omara, (former instructor of Mathematical and Physical Science) and Amie Earls, assistant lecturer of Education and Society, received Excellence in Teaching Awards;
- Matthew Saxton, associate professor of Biological Sciences, and Tory Pearman , professor of Languages, Literature, and Writing, received Faculty Achievement in Scholarship and Creative Activity Awards;
- Leah M. Henson, senior lecturer of Spanish in the Department of Languages, Literature, and Writing.
Mark Krekeler, associate professor of Geology and of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, received $136,847 from Maune, Raichle, Hartley, French & Mudd LLC for a project entitled "Student Research in Mineralogy and Geochemical Sciences."
Kevin Ballard, associate professor, Paul Reidy, assistant professor, and Kyle Timmerman, associate professor, in the Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health, received $422,894 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for the project entitled "Interactive Roles of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Adiposity on Recovery of Impaired Glucose and Vascular Control After Reduced Physical Activity."
Suzanne Kunkel, senior research scholar in the Scripps Gerontology Center, received $135,428 pass through funds from the John A. Hartford Foundation, for a project entitled "Fostering Social Connection for Older Adults and Caregivers."
D.J. Ferguson, associate professor of Biological Sciences, and Nisreen Nusair, assistant professor of Mathematical and Physical Science, received $50,000 from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, pass through funds from Ascendium Education Group, for a project entitled "Miami University Regionals Ohio Strong Start in Science Sub-grant."
Dee Kinney, assistant professor of Education and Society, received $15,000 from PreventionFIRST!, with pass-through funds from Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the American Rescue Plan Act, for a project entitled "Ohio College Initiative for Student Wellness Rise and Thrive Campus-Community Partnerships Grant SFY24."
Heather Menne, fellow in the Scripps Gerontology Center, received $6,520 from Jewish Family Services for a project entitled "Longitudinal Data Tracking of Adult Day Services Participants and Family Caregivers."
