Celebrate faculty, staff achievement at Fall Convocation 2022
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University’s Fall Convocation celebration on Friday, Sept. 16, will recognize 15 of the University’s finest, including awards for those who’ve championed diversity and global engagement that will be newly recognized at the annual celebration.
President Edward Montgomery and Dr. Christopher Cheatham, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, will lead the celebration, which recognizes faculty and staff for excellence in teaching, research and service. The campuswide celebration at the Bernhard Center begins at 11:30 a.m. in the North Ballroom with recognizing recipients of special honors presented by a variety of divisional leaders: the Excellence in Diversity, Global Engagement, Distinguished Service, Distinguished Teaching, Distinguished Faculty Scholar, Emerging Scholar and Make a Difference awards. A luncheon, scheduled to begin at 12:15 p.m., will follow in the South Ballroom.
This is Western’s first in-person convocation award ceremony since 2019, making it a great opportunity for faculty and staff to recognize their colleagues for their exceptional work. The following is a list of recipients in the order they will be recognized.
Award recipients
Make a Difference Awards
Tanya Bakija, coordinator of exhibitions for the Frostic School of Art
Anetra Grice, STEM Talent Expansion Program (STEP) manager for the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Thomas Howe, senior specialist and co-director of the Hydrogeology Field Course in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences
Dawn Maynard, utility person with Valley Dining Services
Global Engagement Award
Dr. Gregory Veeck, professor emeritus of geography, environment and tourism
Excellence in Diversity Award
Dr. Staci Perryman-Clark, director of the Institute for Intercultural and Anthropological Studies
WMU Athletics Task Force
WMU Professional Development Institute
Emerging Scholar Awards
Dr. Wendy Beane, associate professor of biological sciences
Dr. Nicholas Hanson, associate professor of exercise science
Dr. Charlie Kurth, professor of philosophy
Distinguished Teaching Award
Dr. Ann Veeck, professor of marketing
Distinguished Service Awards
Dr. Sarah Summy, professor and program coordinator for special education and literacy studies
Kerrie Harvey, academic advising senior in Lee Honors College
Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award
Dr. Massood Atashbar, professor of electrical and computer engineering
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.