Faculty & Staff Awards Celebration 2015
Annual event honors excellence
The theme for the 2014 Andrews University Faculty and Staff Awards celebration was “An Evening of Fun and Recognition.” On Sunday, March 1, hundreds of faculty and staff gathered in the Howard Performing Arts Center for this annual event recognizing their coworkers and colleagues.
The evening’s entertainment was a mockup of the popular TV game show “Family Feud” called “Family Fusion,” featuring seven teams of four individuals from the honored years-of-service groups plus a team of retirees called “Once Upon a Time.” Participants were required to guess the top three answers from a survey of 16 questions that was sent to all faculty and staff three weeks in advance. David Nowack, professor of biochemistry, did a masterful job as host for the evening.
A surprise tribute was given to Niels-Erik Andreasen, celebrating 20 years as president of Andrews University, and Demetra, who has served graciously at his side.
Just after accepting the presidency of Andrews in 1994, Andreasen was quoted in a FOCUS editorial. “The whole nation talks about failing public education and the risks that presents to our future. We must not allow Christian education to fail. That cannot be. With God’s help, it must succeed, and if it is to remain Christian education it must be good education. A bad Christian education is a contradiction in terms. If we dare call it Christian it must be good in every respect. To seek this goal in every plan and decision made in Andrews University is the chief assignment of the university president and everyone who works here.”
The Andreasens were thanked for setting Andrews on a true-north direction and leading the way together.
“Dr. and Mrs. Andreasen, we’re so glad you said yes to Andrews 20 years ago,” stated Stephen Payne, vice president for Integrated Marketing & Communication, who presented the award. “We believe the future of Adventist education and Andrews University is stronger because of your God-honoring leadership.”
Additionally, recognition from the Faculty Senate was given to Teresa Reeves, associate professor of New Testament contexts and associate dean, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and Marcella Myers, associate professor of physical science and chair, Department of History & Political Science. Both of these women were instrumental in reshaping the structure and role of the current Faculty Senate.
Each year at this event faculty and staff are given recognition through the Years of Service Awards, Excellence in Service Awards, Faith Development Leadership Award, Daniel A. Augsburger Excellence in Teaching Awards, and Siegfried H. Horn Excellence in Research & Creative Scholarship Awards.
Click on each name to hear an audio recording of the tributes given to that recipient at the event.
Siegfried H. Horn Excellence in Research and Creative Scholarship Award
This award was established in 2011 to honor Siegfried Horn’s legacy of scholarship and contribution to the field of biblical archaeology at Andrews University, and his impact upon the world church and the wider community of scholars. It recognizes the lifetime scholarship achievement of Andrews University faculty members in four separate categories. Award recipients, who must be associate or full professors and full-time employees for a minimum of five years, are selected by the membership of the Scholarly Research Council.
This year’s recipients are:
Arts, Humanities and Education: Carla Trynchuk, professor of music and string area coordinator, Department of Music, College of Arts & Sciences
Professional Programs: Andrew von Maur, professor of architecture, School of Architecture, Art & Design
Pure & Applied Sciences: James Hayward, research professor of biology, Department of Biology, College of Arts & Sciences
Religion & Theology: Wagner Kuhn, professor of world mission, Department of World Mission, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Staff Excellence in Service Award
The recipients of this award are hourly or salaried full- or part-time staff who have served for at least three consecutive years, and have not previously received the award. The award is given in recognition of outstanding service to the University, the church and the community, and for demonstrating, by precept and example, a Christ-centered life.
This year’s recipients are Beverly Peck, administrative assistant, Department of Behavioral Sciences; Fares Magesa, financial advisor and Veterans Affairs student advisor, Office of Student Financial Services; and Erno Gyresi (posthumously), associate director, Andrews University Press
Daniel A. Augsburger Excellence in Teaching Award
This award recognizes faculty whose teaching reflects the high standards of excellence modeled by Daniel A. Augsburger in his 60 years of teaching at Andrews University. Augsburger’s leadership, academic rigor, breadth of knowledge, teacher-scholar role, along with care and concern for students, exemplify the best of faculty endeavors. Faculty from each school nominates and chooses their individual candidates.
This year’s recipients are:
Harvey Burnett, assistant professor of psychology, Department of Behavioral Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences
Henrietta Hanna, assistant professor of nursing, Department of Nursing, School of Health Professions
Ryan Hayes, associate professor of chemistry, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, College of Arts & Sciences
Douglas Jones, professor of English, Department of English, College of Arts & Sciences
Paul Kim, associate professor of documentary film, Department of Visual Art & Design, School of Architecture, Art & Design
Janet Ledesma, associate professor of leadership, Department of Leadership, School of Education
Stanley Patterson, professor and chair, Department of Christian Ministry, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Faith Development Leadership Award
This honor is awarded to any employee who has made a significant contribution to the spiritual life of campus.
This year’s honoree is David Iwasa, director/dean, University Towers
40 Years of Service Awards
Bonnie Beres, administrative assistant, Department of Christian Ministry, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Ronald Neumann, operations manager, Office of Telecommunications, Information Technology Services
35 Years of Service Awards
Richard Davidson, J.N. Andrews professor of Old Testament interpretation, Department of Old Testament, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Norma Greenidge, assistant professor of library science, head of bibliographic services, James White Library
Margarita Mattingly, professor and chair, Department of Physics, College of Arts & Sciences
Donald May, assistant provost and associate dean, College of Arts & Sciences
Rebecca May, community relations and events, Integrated Marketing & Communication
Dianne Wilson, assistant to general manager for finance and resource management, Office of Dining Services (Bon Appétit)
30 Years of Service Awards
Lorena Bidwell, chief information officer, Information Technology Services
Jacques Doukhan, professor of Hebrew and Old Testament exegesis and director of the Institute of Jewish-Christian Studies, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Lois Grimm, administrative assistant, Office of Transportation
James Massena, director of institutional research, Information Technology Services
Keith Mattingly, professor of Old Testament, dean, College of Arts & Sciences
Rhonda Root, professor of art and architectural history, School of Architecture, Art & Design
Peter Swanson, associate professor of pastoral care, Department of Christian Ministry, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Janice Wrenn, professor of social work, Department of Social Work, College of Arts & Sciences
25 Years of Service Awards
Lori Colwell, dispatcher, Office of Campus Safety
Mickey Kutzner, research professor of physics, Department of Physics, College of Arts & Sciences
Arlen Springer, power plant operator, Office of Plant Services
Curtis VanderWaal, research professor of social work and chair, Department of Social Work, College of Arts & Sciences
William Wolfer, assistant professor of computer science, Department of Engineering & Computer Science, College of Arts & Sciences
Additionally, the evening recognized employees with 20, 15, 10, and 5 years of service to Andrews University.
