Faculty members recognized for contributions to research and teaching

LAWRENCE — The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Kansas awarded 11 faculty members for contributions in research, teaching and mentoring. The prizes acknowledge outstanding professors for commitment to advising and teaching undergraduate and graduate students, as well as community-engaged research.

Community Engaged Scholarship Award 
The Community Engaged Scholarship Award is awarded to a faculty member whose scholarship actively collaborates with a community partner through the creation and dissemination of knowledge. At the same time, such work contributes to the scholar’s discipline and strengthens the well-being of the community. The winner receives a $1,000 award.

• Angela Gist-Mackey, associate professor of communication studies

Steeples Service to Kansans Award
The Steeples Service to Kansans Award is given to faculty members who provide significant service to the people of Kansas as a purposeful extension of their teaching and research. The honor carries a $1,000 prize and an additional $1,000 base adjustment to the awardee’s salary.

• Deborah Dandridge, associate librarian, field archivist and curator of African American experience collections. Dandridge has devoted her professional career to ensuring that the stories of African Americans in the state of Kansas are preserved and available for research. Her work has been grounded in the belief that African American communities in Kansas and the region have important stories to tell the state and the world.
• Donna Ginther, Roy A. Roberts Distinguished Professor of Economics. Ginther has provided exceptional service to the state by organizing the annual Kansas Economic Policy Conference, conducting research that informs policy and serving on Gov. Laura Kelly’s Tax Reform Council. In addition, during the past year Ginther has been an invaluable resource informing the public and the governor’s office on the effects of the pandemic on Kansas economy as well as the mask mandate.
• Joe Heidrick, associate dean for experiential education and clinical assistant professor of pharmacy. Heidrick places all Pharm.D. students in clinical rotations in pharmacies, clinics, hospitals and other health care settings, resulting in more than 250,000 hours of uncompensated direct patient care by students across virtually every Kansas county. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Heidrick has embodied the School of Pharmacy’s core value of community service, volunteering at nearly 40 vaccination clinics in Douglas County.

Gene A. Budig Teaching Professorship Award
The Gene A. Budig Teaching Professorship Award recognizes faculty members in the social and behavioral sciences who demonstrate an outstanding contribution to the teaching of students and a commitment to excellence in teaching. This award includes a $4,000 prize.

• Ward Lyles, associate professor of urban planning.

Byron A. Alexander Graduate Mentor Award
The Byron A. Alexander Graduate Mentor Award has been given to faculty in the College since 1993. Winners have helped graduate students make the most of their experience and opportunities at KU and receive a $1,500 prize.

• Utako Minai, associate professor of linguistics.

John C. Wright Graduate Mentor Award
The John C. Wright Graduate Mentor Award has been given to faculty in the College since 2002. Winners have helped graduate students make the most of their experience and opportunities at KU and receive a $1,500 prize.

• Mary Jo Reiff, professor of rhetoric and composition.

Grant Goodman Undergraduate Mentor Award
The Grant Goodman Undergraduate Mentor Award recognizes faculty members who are selfless with their time and experience and continue to have lasting mentoring relationships with students long after they leave the classroom. Winners receive a $1,000 award.

• Erik Lundquist, professor of molecular biosciences.

J. Michael Young Academic Advisor Award 
The J. Michael Young Academic Advisor Award honors exceptional commitment to undergraduate advising. Students nominate professors for enhancing their experience at KU through the advising relationship. The honor comes with a $1,000 award.

• Alex Boynton, lecturer in the Environmental Studies Program
• Ian Lewis, assistant professor of physics & astronomy.

The funds are managed by KU Endowment, the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment was the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

The College is the heart of KU, educating the most students, producing the most research and collaborating with nearly every entity at KU. The College is home to more than 50 departments, programs and centers, as well as the School of the Arts and School of Public Affairs & Administration.