Lehigh Announces University Faculty Awards

Two new awards were added this year in alignment with the university’s strategic initiatives.

The Inclusive Excellence Faculty Award, presented to Vassie Ware, professor of molecular biology, honors a faculty member for outstanding contributions to research, administration, practice, advocacy and policy in advancing diversity, equity and inclusive excellence.

Lehigh also presented its inaugural Educational Innovation Faculty Award to Joseph Amodei, assistant professor of media design. This award honors a faculty member for work that develops and uses innovative, student-centric educational approaches to improve learning and outcomes for undergraduate or graduate students. Starting next year, this award, which is the most generous of all Lehigh faculty awards, will be named for Lehigh alumni Faith Glazier ’87 and Rob Weisstuch ’85, whose generous gift supports this honor.

In addition to the award recipients, Lehigh recognized faculty who have been newly appointed to professorships and chairs, as well as those who have reached notable milestones in their service to the university. Michael Raposa, professor of American studies, was selected as the first annual faculty speaker for the event, and he underscored the crucial role of the university in these challenging times.

"Recognizing and celebrating our colleagues is more than just celebrating individual achievements; it's about honoring the dedication, innovation and passion that drive the heart of our university,” said Peter Zeitler, chair of the Faculty Senate. “Their contributions inspire our students, strengthen our community and shape the future of Lehigh.”

For a full list of award recipients, please see below:

Global Engagement and Internationalization Award: Fathima Wakeel, associate professor of community and population health. This award honors faculty who have made exemplary contributions to the internationalization of Lehigh University, while advancing the university’s mission of excellent teaching, research and service.

Hillman Faculty Award: Jennifer Swann, professor of biological sciences. This award recognizes a faculty member who has distinguished themselves through long-term service to the institution.

Carl & Ingeborg Beidleman Research Award in Business & Economics: Beibei Dong, professor of marketing. This award recognizes quality research and refereed scholarship in business and applied economic disciplines.

Christian & Mary Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching: Holona Ochs, associate professor of political science. This award recognizes a member of the teaching staff
for distinguished teaching performed during the academic year.

Lehigh Early Career Award for Distinguished Teaching: Whitney Blocher McTigue, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering. This award is given to a member of the teaching staff for distinguished teaching performed during the academic year.

Libsch Early Career Research Award: Jill McDermott, associate professor of Earth and environmental sciences. This award is presented to a faculty member who is early in their career who has demonstrated the potential for high-quality research and scholarship.

Libsch Research Award: Laura Olson, distinguished professor of political science. This award is given to recognize excellence in research, scholarship, and/or artistic achievement.

Stabler Award for Excellence in Teaching: Thomas Gartner III, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering. This award recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates an exceptional talent for encouraging students to understand alternatives and to make choices, and who knows how to extract from students the full measure of their potential to learn.

Hillman Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising: Greg Tonkay, assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering. This award recognizes exemplary student advising and assistance in the development and/or completion of research related to their degree program.

Hillman Award for Excellence in Graduate Advising: Ana Alexandrescu, professor of practice in industrial and systems engineering. This award recognizes exemplary student advising and assistance in the development and/or completion of research related to their degree program.

Provost’s Award for Undergraduate Academic Advising: Jenna Lay, associate professor of English & women, gender and sexuality studies. This award recognizes a Lehigh faculty member for demonstrated excellence in and extraordinary contributions to undergraduate academic advising.

Inclusive Excellence Faculty Award: Vassie Ware, professor of molecular biology. This award recognizes and honors a faculty member for outstanding contributions to research, administration, practice, advocacy, and/or policy, and whose work informs and advances the understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence at Lehigh University.

Educational Innovation Award: Joseph Amodei, assistant professor of media design. This award is presented to a faculty member for work that develops and/or uses innovative educational approaches to improve learning and outcomes for undergraduate or graduate students.

Provost’s Faculty Citizenship Award: Terry Napier, professor of mathematics. This award honors a faculty member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to the university community through outstanding service and leadership.

Story by Jessica Jackson