WMU awards highest faculty honors to philosophy and research methods professors

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Two Western Michigan University professors are being recognized for their research careers and broad impact outside the classroom. Dr. Fritz Allhoff and Dr. Brooks Applegate have received Distinguished Faculty Scholar Awards, the University’s highest honor for research.

“Dr. Fritz Allhoff and Dr. Edward Brooks Applegate have built influential bodies of scholarship that have earned national and international recognition,” says Dr. Chris Cheatham, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “Dr. Allhoff’s work in applied ethics is advancing important conversations about technology, medicine, law and conflict. Dr. Applegate’s expertise in research design, measurement and advanced statistical methods is strengthening scholarship across a wide range of disciplines. Their intellectual leadership and collaborative spirit bring distinction to Western and expand the reach of our research.”

Both professors will be formally recognized at the Fall Awards Celebration alongside recipients of the Distinguished Service, Distinguished Teaching, Emerging Scholar and annual Make a Difference awards. The event on Friday, Oct. 2, begins at 11 a.m. in the Fetzer Center’s Kirsch Auditorium.

Dr. Fritz Allhoff: Shaping global debates in applied ethics and philosophy of law

Allhoff, professor of philosophy, has received the 2026 Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award for his research in applied ethics, ethical theory and the philosophy of law. His work focuses on the social impact of emerging technologies—ranging from biotechnology to artificial intelligence—and has helped shape international policy discussions on the rules of cyber warfare and international humanitarian law.

“The Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award recognizes faculty whose work constitutes a significant body of achievement with wide recognition beyond Western Michigan University. Dr. Allhoff meets this standard unambiguously,” wrote David J. Paul, department chair and nominator.

Since arriving at WMU in 2005, Allhoff has authored foundational books with elite academic publishers, including “Terrorism, Ticking Time-Bombs, and Torture” (The University of Chicago Press) and his new volume, “Bioethics: New Directions” (Oxford University Press). Other researchers have referenced his work more than 3,200 times, making him one of the most frequently quoted applied ethicists in the country.

Allhoff has won more than $1 million in research grants, including multiple awards from the National Science Foundation. His expertise has earned him fellowships at Stanford Law School, the University of Oxford and the Australian National University. His work is also frequently featured in major news outlets such as The New York Times and The Atlantic.

“Through his peer-reviewed articles on the ethics of war and self-defense and his monograph ‘Terrorism, Ticking Time-Bombs, and Torture,’ he not only contributed to, but helped shape and inspire, a robust and enduring discussion concerning lesser-evil justifications for the use of force,” says colleague and former student Jonathan Milgrim. “His work has become foundational: Nearly all serious lesser-evil discussions within just war theory either engage his arguments directly or build upon scholarship that does.”

Outside the classroom, Allhoff connects students with unique community service opportunities. Since 2015, he has directed a program that takes university accounting students to rural Alaska to assist Indigenous communities. Under his leadership, the initiative helps complete roughly 10,000 tax returns annually. He also founded and continues to run the WMU Medical Humanities Conference, which brings international presenters to campus each year. He has also co-directed WMU’s study abroad program to Iceland—focusing on environmental philosophy—where he has been a Fulbright Scholar.

Dr. Brooks Applegate: Advancing statistical methodology and research design

Applegate, professor of evaluation, measurement and research, is being recognized for his decades of work advancing the University’s research profile and improving how scientists structure complex data studies.

“In every respect—sustained scholarly excellence, extraordinary impact, national and international recognition, continuous external funding, cross-disciplinary influence, institutional leadership, and mentorship—Dr. Applegate exemplifies the ideals of the Faculty Scholar Award,” wrote Dr. Jianping Shen, nominator and John E. Sandberg Professor of Education.

Since joining WMU in 1999, Applegate has authored or co-authored more than 130 refereed journal articles, nearly 60 scholarly abstracts and proceedings, multiple book chapters, and numerous technical and evaluation reports. He has also given more than 130 presentations at peer-reviewed international and national meetings. As of January 2026, Applegate’s work had accumulated more than 13,000 citations in Google Scholar, placing him among the most highly cited faculty members at Western.

For 26 consecutive years, he has received external support for his research. He has secured competitive funding from leading agencies, including the U.S. Department of Education, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Institute of Education Sciences, Department of Defense, and Veterans Affairs. During his time at WMU, Applegate has received or supported more than $112 million in externally funded research, including many of the largest grants ever awarded to the University.

“Dr. Applegate’s career exemplifies the impact of sustained scholarly excellence,” says Dr. Laura Dinehart, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. “For more than two decades, he has consistently secured competitive external funding from some of the nation’s most respected agencies, advancing research that has strengthened our college, elevated Western Michigan University’s research profile, and created opportunities for students and faculty alike.”

Since 2002, Applegate has served as program coordinator for evaluation, measurement and research (EMR), guiding the program’s growth while maintaining an exceptional record of scholarly productivity. Under his leadership, EMR has expanded from a small graduate program into offering doctoral and master’s degrees and graduate certificates in evaluation, mixed methods research and qualitative research.

“His career since joining WMU represents a rare and exceptional combination of intellectual rigor, scholarly productivity, and lasting influence,” says Shen. “Recognizing Dr. Applegate with this award not only honors his remarkable accomplishments but affirms the College’s and University’s commitment to the highest standards of scholarly distinction.”

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