MSU honors faculty, staff for excellence in teaching, advising

STARKVILLE, Miss.—As ��Ƶ soon marks the end of one of the most challenging and unusual academic years in history, the university is recognizing faculty and staff with annual awards for outstanding service and professionalism at the 143-year-old institution.

A Friday [April 23] ceremony honored those who have helped students through exceptional teaching, mentoring and advising.

“Exceptional teaching by world-class faculty is at the core of ��Ƶ’s mission. Our outstanding award winners this year exemplify excellence across a variety of disciplines, and they excel at everything from making our newest students feel welcome to helping our most advanced graduate students attain the highest levels of success,” said MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw. “In addition to excellence in teaching, the faculty and staff dedicated to advising and mentoring are essential in helping students achieve their goals.”

Honorees for 2021 include:

Alumni Association Graduate Teaching Excellence Award

—John Ball, associate professor and Robert Guyton Endowed Faculty Chair in Teaching Excellence with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Bagley College of Engineering.

—Cliff McKinney, associate professor in the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate Student Mentor

—Matthew Ross, College of Veterinary Medicine professor in the Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences.

Four men stand (three holding awards) in front of the MSU seal. — Receiving MSU Alumni Association awards for excellence in graduate teaching and mentoring are, from left, Cliff McKinney, associate professor in the Department of Psychology; Matthew Ross, professor in the Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences; and John Ball, associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Congratulating the honorees is Jeff Davis, MSU Alumni Association executive director. (Photo by Megan Bean)

Donald Zacharias Early Career Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award

—Chris Ayers, College of Forest Resources instructor in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture.

—Lauren Priddy, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, a department that is part of both the Bagley College of Engineering and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

—Amber Robinson, College of Arts and Sciences instructor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

—Brandi Sumrall, instructor in MSU-Meridian’s Division of Education and special education program coordinator.

Four faculty members holding awards stand with MSU Provost David Shaw in front of the MSU seal. — Recipients of the Donald Zacharias Early Career Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award this year are, from left, Chris Ayers, instructor in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture; Amber Robinson, instructor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics; Lauren Priddy, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; and Brandi Sumrall, instructor and special education program coordinator in MSU-Meridian’s Division of Education. Congratulating these faculty award winners is MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw. (Photo by Megan Bean)

Irvin Atly Jefcoat Excellence in Advising Award

—Isaac Howard, faculty recipient, professor in MSU’s Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering within the Bagley College of Engineering.

—Elizabeth Palmer, staff recipient, academic advisor for the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Education.

Wesley Ammon Outstanding New Staff Advisor Award

—Trina Pollan, academic coordinator in the Adkerson School of Accountancy within the College of Business.

Foil-Wyatt Outstanding New Faculty Advisor Award

—Jeff Leffler, assistant professor in MSU-Meridian’s Division of Education.

Four faculty and staff advising honorees holding awards stand with MSU Executive Vice Provost Peter Ryan in front of the MSU seal. — Faculty and staff receiving awards for excellence in student advising include, from left, Isaac Howard, professor in the Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Jeff Leffler, assistant professor in MSU-Meridian’s Division of Education; Elizabeth Palmer, academic advisor for the Department of Kinesiology; and Trina Pollan, academic coordinator in the Adkerson School of Accountancy. MSU Executive Vice Provost Peter Ryan presented the advising awards. (Photo by Megan Bean)

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at .

��Ƶ