Faculty Senate

Distinguished Faculty Awards

Distinguished Faculty Guidelines

In 1977, Central Washington University initiated a program to honor professors who excel in teaching, scholarship/artistic accomplishment and service. The honorees' names are placed on a continuing plaque and they receive a monetary bonus during the award year. The honorees to date are:

2023

• Megan Walsh, Geography; PhD, University of Oregon, Distinguished Teaching
• Lily Vuong, Philosophy and Religious Studies; PhD, McMaster University, Distinguished Research/Artistic Accomplishment
• Sharryn Walker, Education, Development, Teaching & Learning; PhD, University of Toledo, Distinguished Service
• Eric Graham, Biological Sciences; PhD, University of California Los Angeles, Distinguished Non-Tenure Track Teaching

2022

• Teresa Divine, Professor, Law and Justice; LLM, Suny University at Buffalo, Distinguished Service
• Blaise Dondji, Professor, Biological Sciences; PhD, University of Jos, Distinguished Teaching
• Lisa Ely, Professor, Geological Sciences; PhD, University of Arizona, Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment
• Jason Knirck, Professor, History; PhD, Washington State University, Board of Trustees Distinguished Faculty
• Karisa Terry, Senior Lecturer, Anthropology; PhD, Washington State University, Distinguished Non-Tenure Track Teaching 

2021

• Robert Claridge, Lecturer, Law and Justice; JD, University of Oregon, Distinguished Non-Tenure Track Teaching
• Robert Holtfreter, Professor, Accounting Department; PhD, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment 
• Susan Kaspari, Professor, Geological Sciences; PhD, University of Maine, Distinguished Service
• Christopher Schedler, Professor, English; PhD, University of California Santa Barbara, Distinguished Teaching 

2020

• Carey Gazis, Professor of Geological Sciences; PhD, California Institute of Tech, Distinguished Service
• Yingbin Ge, Professor of Chemistry; PhD, University of Hawaii, Distinguished Teaching
• Jennifer Green, Senior Lecturer of Communication; MA, San Francisco State University, Distinguished Non-Tenure Track Teaching
• Jeffrey Snedeker, Professor of Music, DMA, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Board of Trustees Distinguished Faculty
• Lixing Sun, Professor of Biological Sciences; PhD, State University of New York, Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment

2019

• Matthew Altman: Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies; PhD, University of Chicago, Distinguished Service
• Yukari Amos Professor, Ed Development Teach & Learn; PHD, University of Washington, Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment
• Nathalie Kasselis: Professor, World Languages; PHD, Michigan State University, Distinguished Teaching

2018

• Laurie Moshier: Senior Lecturer, World Languages and Cultures; PHA, University of Washington, Distinguished Non-Tenure Track Teaching
• Ian Quitadamo: Professor, Biological Sciences; PhD, Washington State University, Distinguished Teaching
• Charles Reasons: Professor, Law and Justice; PhD, Washington State University, Distinguished Service
• Lori Sheeran: Professor, Anthropology; PhD, Ohio State University Columbus, Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment

2017

• Patrick Lubinski, Professor, Anthropology; PhD, University of Wisconsin, Distinguished Teaching
• Jason Knirck,Professor, History; PhD, Washington State University,Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment
• Elaine Glenn, Senior Lecturer, Geography; MS, Brigham Young University,Distinguished Faculty Non-Tenure Track Teaching

2016

• Katharine Whitcomb, Associate Professor/Professor, English; MFA, Norwich University, Distinguished Teaching
• James Avey, Associate Professor, Management; PhD, University of Nebraska, Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment

2015

• Phil Backlund, Professor, Communication; PhD, University of Denver, Distinguished Teaching
• Wendy Bohrson, Geological Sciences; PhD, University of California, Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment
• Cynthia Coe, Philosophy and Religious Studies; PhD, University of Oregon, Distinguished Service
• Maria Roditeleva-Wibe, Senior Lecturer, Music; PhD, Russian Institute of Art History, Distinguished Faculty Non-Tenure Track Teaching

2014

• Shari Stoddard, Associate Professor, Art; PhD, Indiana University, Distinguished Teaching
• Matthew Altman, Associate Professor, William O. Douglas Honors College; PhD, University of Chicago, Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment
• Lila Harper, Senior Lecturer, Provost/VP for Academic & Student Life; PhD, University of Oregon,Distinguished Faculty Non-Tenure Track Teaching

2013

• Karl Lillquist, Professor of Geography, PhD, University of Utah, Distinguished Teaching
• Daniel Herman , Professor of History, PhD,University of California, Berkeley, DistinguishedResearch and Artistic Accomplishment
• Joan Cawley Crane , Senior Lecturerof Art, MA, Central Washington University, Distinguished Faculty Non-Tenure Track Teaching

2012

• Anthony Gabriel: Professor of Geography, PhD. University of Guelph, Canada, Distinguished Research
• Jeffrey Snedeker : Professor of Music, DMA, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Distinguished Service

2011

• Laila Abdalla: Professor of English; Ph.D., McGill University, Canada, Distinguished Teaching
• Vijay Singh: Professor of Music; MS, Portland State University, Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment
• Bobby Cummings: Professor of English, Ph.D., University of Michigan, Distinguished Service
• Sharon Rosell: Professor of Physics, MS, University of Washington, Distinguished Non-Tenure Track Teaching

2010

• Susan Lonborg: Professor of Psychology; Ph.D., Ohio State University, Distinguished Teaching
• Not Awarded: Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment
• Peter Gries: Professor of Music, DM, University of Oregon, Distinguished Service
• Ruthi Erdman: Senior Lecturer, English, MA, Central Washington University, Distinguished Non-Tenure Track Teaching

2009

• Roxanne Easley: Professor of History; Ph.D., University of Oregon, Distinguished Teaching
• Joseph Powell: Professor of English; MFA., Florida International University, Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment
• Robert Holtfreter: Professor of Accounting, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, Distinguished Service
• Matthew Altman: Director of the William O' Douglas Honors College and Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Ph.D., University of Chicago, Distinguished Non-Tenure Track Teaching

2008

• Scott Lewis: Professor of Mathematics; Ph.D., Oregon State State University, Distinguished Teaching
• Chenyang Li: Professor of Philosophy; Ph.D., University of Connecticut, Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment
• Martha Kurtz: Professor of Chemistry, Ph.D., Arizona State University, Distinguished Service

2007

• Gerald Stacy: Professor of English; Ph.D., Bowling Green State University, Distinguished Teaching
• Peter Saunders: Professor of Economics; Ph.D., University of Colorado, Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment
• Jeffrey Dippmann: Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Ph.D., Northwestern University, Distinguished Service

2006

• Vince Nethery: Professor Health, Human Performance, and Recreation; PhD., University of Oregon, Distinguished Teaching
• Keith Lewis: Professor of Art; M.F.A., Kent State University, Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment
• Jan Bowers: Professor of Family and Consumer Sciences, Ph.D., Kansas State University, Distinguished Public Service

2005

• Natalie Lefkowitz: Professor Spanish and French; PhD., University of Washington, Distinguished Teaching
• John Pickett: Professor of Music; D.M., Indiana University, Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment

2004

• Bruce Palmquist: Associate Professor of Physics and Science Education, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, Distinguished Public Service
• Lisa Weyandt: Professor of Psychology, Ph.D., University of Rhode Island, Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment

2003

• David W. Carns: Professor of Industrial and Engineering Technology, M.S., Oregon State University, Distinguished Teaching
• James G. Pappas: Professor of Teacher Education, Ed.D., Nova Southeastern University, Distinguished Public Service
• Raza Alla Ditta Choudary: Professor of Mathematics, Ph.D., University of Bucharest, Romania, Distinguished Research and Artistic Accomplishment

2002

• David M. Darda: Professor of Biological Sciences, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, Distinguished Teaching
• Mark W. Halprin: Professor of English, M.F.A., State University of Iowa, Distinguished Research/ArtisticAccomplishment & Invention
• Corwin P. King: Professor of Communication, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, Distinguished Public Service

2001

• Larry D. Gookin: Professor of Music, M.M., University of Oregon, Distinguished Teaching
• Ethan Bergman: Professor of Food Science and Nutrition, Ph.D., Washington State University, Distinguished Public Service
• Robert J. Carbaugh: Professor of Economics, Ph.D., Colorado State University, Distinguished Research/Artistic Accomplishment & Invention

2000

• Terry L. Martin: Professor of English, Ph.D., University of Oregon, Distinguished Teaching
• Patricia A. Callaghan: Professor of English, D.A., University of Oregon, Distinguished Public Service

1999

• David L. Gee: Professor of Foods and Nutrition, Ph.D., University of California at Davis, Distinguished Teaching
• Karen J. Blair: Professor of History, Ph.D., State University of NY, Distinguished Research/Artistic Accomplishment and Invention
• Stephen C. Jefferies: Professor of Physical Education, Ph.D., University of Oregon, Distinguished Public Service

1998

• Morris L. Uebelacker: Associate Professor of Geography, Ph.D., University of Oregon, Distinguished Teaching
• Hal J. Ott: Professor of Music, D.M., Florida State University, Distinguished Research/Artistic Accomplishment and Invention
• Norman J. Gierlasinski: Professor of Accounting, D.B.Admin., Nova University, Distinguished Public Service

1997

• James L. Nimnicht: Professor of Business Administration, Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Distinguished Teaching
• Rogert H. Yu: Professor of Physics, Ph.D., Montana State University, Distinguished Research

1996

• A. James Hawkins: Professor of Theatre Arts, M.A., Sacramento State College, Distinguished Public Service
• John Q. Ressler: Professor of Geography, Ph.D., University of Oregon, Distinguished Teaching
• Carolyn C. Schactler: Professor of Clothing and Textiles, M.A., Central Washington University, Distinguished Research/Artistic Accomplishment and Invention

1995

• Carlos E. Martin: Professor of Spanish, Ph.D., Northwestern University, Distinguished Teaching
• Kent D. Richards: Professor of History, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Distinguished Research

1994

• William V. Dunning: Professor of Art, M.F.A., University of Illinois, Distinguished ArtisticAccomplishment
• Gary W. Heesaker: Professor of Accounting, M.B.A., University of Washington, C.P.A., Distinguished Public Service
• David G. Lygre: Professor of Chemistry, Ph.D., University of North Dakota, Distinguished Teaching

1993

• Robert J. Carbaugh: Professor of Economics, Ph.D., Colorado State University, Distinguished Teaching
• Glenn A. Madsen: Professor of Education, Ed.D., University of Oregon, Distinguished Public Service

1992

• Elbert E. Bilyeu: Professor of Spanish, Ph.D., University of Colorado, Distinguished Teaching
• Donald J. Cocheba: Professor of Economics, Ph.D., Washington State University, Distinguished Research

1991

• Makiko Doi: Associate Professor of Library Science, University of Washington, Distinguished Public Service
• Thomas J. Kerr: Professor of Political Science, Ph.D., Syracuse University, Distinguished Teaching
• Christian I. Schneider: Professor of German, Ph.D., University of California at Santa Barbara, Distinguished Research

1990

• Peter M Burkholder: Professor of Philosophy, Ph.D., Tulane University, Distinguished Teaching
• Edward P. Klucking: Professor of Biology, Ph.D., University of California at Berkeley, Distinguished Research

1989

• Laura L. Appleton: Professor of Sociology, Ph.D., University of California at Santa Barbara, Distinguished Teaching
• James E. Brooks: Professor of Geography and Land Studies, Ph.D., University of Washington, Distinguished Public Service
• Roger S. Fouts: Professor of Psychology, Ph.D., University of Nevada-Reno, Distinguished Research

1988

• Richard S. Mack: Professor of Economics, Ph.D., Colorado State University, Distinguished Research

1987

• Anthony Canedo: Professor of English, Ph.D., University of Washington, Distinguished Teaching
• Wolfgang W. Franz: Professor of Economics, Ph.D., Washington State University, Distinguished Public Service
• Cynthia S. Krieble: Professor of Art, M.F.A., Stanford University, Distinguished Artistic Accomplishment

1986

• Kenneth A. Briggs: Professor of Health Education, Ed.D., University of Northern Colorado, Distinguished Public Service
• William B Owen: Professor of Mathematics, Ph.D., Colorado State University, Distinguished Teaching

1985

• Ronald J. Boles: Professor of Science Education and Biology, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Distinguished Teaching
• Robert E. Pacha: Professor of Biology, Ph.D., University of Washington, Distinguished Research
• Allen C Vautier: Associate Professor of Accounting, J.D., University of Washington, Distinguished Public Service

1984

• Donald W. Cummings: Professor of English, Ph.D., University of Washington, Distinguished Teaching
• Leonard C. Duncan: Professor of Chemistry, Ph.D., University of Washington, Distinguished Research
• John F Moawad: Associate Professor of Music., M.Ed., Central Washington University, Distinguished Public Service

1983

• Terry L. DeVietti: Professor of Psychology, Ph.D., University of Utah, Distinguished Research
• Leo D Nicolson: Professor of Physical Education, M.Ed., Central Washington University, Distinguished Teaching
• Dorothy M. Purser: Associate Professor of Physical Education, M.Ed., University of Idaho, Distinguished Public Service

1982

• Barbara M. Brummett: Associate Professor of Music, M.M., Wichita State University, Distinguished Public Service
• Patrick R. O'Shaughnessy: Professor of Accounting, M.B.A., Washington State University, Distinguished Teaching
• Robert M. Panerio: Professor of Music, M.Ed., Central Washington University, Distinguished Research

1981

• Robert D. Bentley: Professor of Geology, Ph.D., Columbia University, Distinguished Research
• Marco G. Bicchieri: Professor of Anthropology, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, Distinguished Teaching

1980

• Dee R. Eberhart: Professor of Geography, Ph.D., Northwestern University, Distinguished Public Service
• Kenneth A. Hammond: Professor of Geography, Ph.D., University of Michigan, Distinguished Teaching
• Stamford D. Smith: Professor of Biology, Ph.D., University of Idaho, Distinguished Teaching

1979

• William F. Cutlip: Professor of Mathematics, Ph.D., Michigan Statue University, Distinguished Teaching
• Martin R. Kaatz: Professor of Geography, Ph.D., University of Michigan, Distinguished Public Service
• George Macinko: Professor of Geography, Ph.D., University of Michigan, Distinguished Research

1978

• Curt A. Wiberg: Professor of Biology, M.S., University of Oregon, Distinguished Teaching

1977

• Chester Z. Keller: Professor of Philosophy, Ph.D., University of Southern California, Distinguished Teaching