Kettering University Celebrates Excellence at Annual Awards Ceremony

On December 12, Kettering University celebrated the outstanding achievements of its faculty and staff at the 2024 Celebration of Excellence. The event recognized individuals who exemplify the University’s core values of respect, integrity, creativity, collaboration, and excellence.

“Living our values isn’t evident in just one person or one department — it is in all of us,” said Dr. Robert K. McMahan, President of Kettering University. “Today, we celebrate and honor the collective contributions of our faculty and staff who work tirelessly — and without fanfare.” 

Charles F. Kettering III Bulldog Award

Named in honor of Charles F. Kettering III, grandson of the University’s founder, the Bulldog Award recognizes employees who go above and beyond in their roles. Recipients demonstrate tenacity, resilience, and a commitment to the University’s mission, embodying the determined spirit of Kettering’s bulldog mascot.

• Myra Lumpkin, Director of Student Life Student Affairs — Honored for her student-first approach and unwavering dedication to student well-being, fostering an environment where students feel supported and valued.
• Cheri Taylor, Welcome Center Associate Director — Celebrated for her meticulous attention to detail and passion for ensuring the success of recruitment and campus events, along with her steadfast support of University initiatives.
• Jeremy Sanders, University Events Planner — Recognized for his exceptional creativity and collaborative spirit, consistently exceeding expectations in his execution of events and enhancing the overall campus experience.

Research Awards

These awards honor groundbreaking research and innovation that enhance Kettering’s reputation as a leader in engineering, science, and applied research.

• Faculty Fellowships: Awarded to faculty members conducting innovative projects across diverse fields, including advanced manufacturing, AI, sustainable materials, and biomedical engineering. Recipients include Drs. Yufi Li, Javad Baqersad, Osama Aljarrah, Changxi Bai, Demet Usanmaz, and a collaborative team led by Drs. Asanga Manamperi and Sihe Zhang.
• Outstanding New Researcher Award: Dr. Seyed Jamaleddin Mostafavi Yazdi was honored for his pioneering work in mechanics of materials and scientific machine learning.
• Outstanding Researcher Award: Dr. Diane Peters was recognized for her sustained excellence in modeling and controls, reflecting years of dedicated inquiry and application.
• Outstanding Applied Researcher Award: Dr. Jungme Park was celebrated for impactful work in AI, autonomous driving, and intelligent systems, with results that directly benefit industry and society.
• Distinguished Researcher Award: Dr. Theresa Atkinson was commended for over a decade of contributions to biomedical engineering and injury prevention, advancing healthcare and safety.
• Rodes Professorship: Awarded to Dr. Michael Callahan for his profound research on chemical weapons and international policy, reflecting scholarly achievement and leadership.

True Kettering Staff Awards

The True Kettering Staff Awards honor individuals who live the University’s core values of respect, integrity, creativity, collaboration, and excellence. These employees consistently exceed expectations and inspire others.

• Michele Williams, Admissions Communication Plan Specialist — Recognized for her collaborative efforts and dedication to driving innovative projects, often overcoming challenges to achieve exceptional results.
• Heidi Arvin, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory Technician — Celebrated for her inclusive leadership, commitment to fostering a welcoming environment, and significant contributions to cross-disciplinary initiatives.
• Drew Kirtek, Natural Sciences Laboratory Manager — Honored for his reliability, creativity, and ability to inspire through research collaborations, educational outreach, and tireless support for University programs.

Kettering University Online Instructor of the Year

The Kettering University Online Instructor of the Year Award celebrates educators who demonstrate excellence in virtual learning environments, going beyond to inspire and guide their students.

• Dr. Joy Gianakura-Allen was recognized for her impactful teaching and leadership, fostering personal connections with students, and offering valuable insights that shape future leaders.

Teaching Awards

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) acknowledges faculty members who excel in pedagogy, student engagement, and educational innovation:

• CETL Distinguished Faculty Service Award: Dr. Diane Peters, for her leadership in student success initiatives and active engagement with professional organizations.
• Outstanding Teaching Awards:
  • Mr. Alan Maestri — Commended for his enthusiasm, adaptability, and ability to inspire a love for mathematics among students.
  • Dr. Corneliu Rablau — Celebrated for his engaging teaching methods and innovative use of technology in physics education.
  • Dr. Mehrdad Zadeh — Honored for fostering intellectual curiosity and critical thinking in computer engineering.
• Terrell Teaching Innovation Grant: Dr. Torsten Maier, for exploring the use of AI to create dynamic and personalized learning experiences.

High Five Awards

Newly added in 2024, the High Five Awards recognize employees who exemplify exceptional teamwork, positive energy, and a commitment to fostering a collaborative campus culture. This year’s recipients, chosen for their outstanding contributions to the University’s recognition program, are:

• Joe Bellor, Senior Shipping/Receiving Clerk
• Leighton Chappell, University Events & Ceremonies Coordinator
• Dotti Gouine, Digital Marketing Manager
• Chris Nelson, Computer Science Administrative Specialist
• Jeremy Sanders, University Events & Ceremonies Planner 

Staff Recognition Awards

Kettering University recognized the dedication of employees who have reached significant career milestones. Starting with the longest-serving members, honorees included:

• 40 years: Dr. Joe Salacuse.
• 35 years: Scott Cohoon and Irene Putnam.
• 30 years: Patricia Brown, Brady Fair, Dr. Leszek Gawarecki, Michelle Gebhardt, Dr. Jeffrey Hargrove, Kelly Holmquist, Gerald Kozlowski, and Dr. Lihua Wang.
• 25 years: Dr. Ezekiel Gebissa, Dr. Craig Hoff, Susan Lafeldt, and Dr. Arnaldo Mazzei Jr.
• 20 years: Erin Bolton, Kevin Isom, and Dr. Nozar Tabrizi.
• 15 years: Bonnie Switzer and Dr. Mehrdad Zadeh.
• 10 years: Pam Batra, Douglas Bourassa, Dr. Farnaz Ghazi Nezami, Dr. Ronald Tackett, and Dr. James Zhang.
• 5 years: Lauren Arant, Anjali Barnick, Lindsey Baxter, Melanie Bazil, Professor Kristy Brinker Brouwer, Courtney Cooney, Sharrie Creasey Thorpe, Harold Dumanois, Dr. Babak Elahi, Dr. David Foster, Scott Gray, Professor John Grether, Dr. Janie Jacobs, Scott Laforest, Matthew Mead, Craig Niswonger, S.E. Pavlica, Shaeanne Riedel, Laurie Schaibly, Kimberly Shumaker, and Eric Szczepanski.

Additionally, the University welcomed 31 new employees who began their careers at Kettering in the past year.

In closing, Dr. McMahan reiterated the importance of the work being done at the University: “Your collective work, your belief in our Kettering educational process, and your commitment to our students, alumni, and our community truly make a difference.”