Faculty, staff and other guests dined on delicacies—roast beef roulade, pan‑seared Alaskan halibut, and bishop hat ravioli. Then one by one, honorees were recognized amid enthusiastic applause for their outstanding achievements and service to the University community.
That was the scene Friday at the Celebrating Excellence Banquet, an elegant affair in the vast Compton Union Building ballroom. The banquet marked the culmination of Showcase, the University’s weeklong celebration of academic excellence. Honorees included faculty and staff from across the institution.
Please join us in congratulating the following colleagues on their outstanding achievements:
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Distinguished Faculty Award
Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe
Department of Psychology
Dr. Schmitter-Edgecombe has made significant contributions to the field of clinical neuropsychology, and she continues to pursue cutting‑edge interdisciplinary work developing smart technologies for health care. Her research focuses on extending the quality of life and functional independence of the aging population and individuals with cognitive disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic brain injury.
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Sahlin Faculty Excellence Award – Leadership
Lori Wiest
School of Music
Dr. Wiest has served as a University leader at the unit, college, and university levels. Not only is she currently professor of music, she is also director of Choral Activities and conductor of the WSU Concert Choir and Madrigal Chamber Singers. She has previously served the University in numerous administrative roles.
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Sahlin Faculty Excellence Award – Instruction
Anita Vasavada
Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering and
Department of Integrative Physiology and NeuroscienceThroughout her 18 years of service at WSU, Dr. Vasavada has shown an unwavering commitment to student learning and engagement. She innovates in the classroom, not only by incorporating new technology, but also by providing individual attention to help each student succeed.
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Sahlin Faculty Excellence Award – Outreach & Engagement
Dale A. Moore
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Dr. Moore’s preventive medicine research for livestock populations has resulted in practical management approaches for cow and calf health and well‑being. Her research in extension and professional education methods has led to better understanding of agricultural animal health audiences and new methods of documenting how to evaluate change in program participants.
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Sahlin Faculty Excellence Award – Research, Scholarship & Arts
Susmita Bose
School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Dr. Bose has pioneered interdisciplinary approaches to delivering life‑changing bone replacement therapy. Her research on combining 3‑D printing technology with drug delivery has opened new doors in the treatment of bone disorders.
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Association for Faculty Women Samuel H. Smith Leadership Award
Ana María Rodríguez‑Vivaldi
Associate dean
Student Affairs and Global EducationAs a scholar, educator, mentor, and University leader, Dr. Rodriguez‑Vivaldi has displayed an unflagging commitment to women and the issues that affect their lives. She works tirelessly to elevate those around her.
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President’s Distinguished Teaching Award for Instructors and Clinical Faculty
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Clif Stratton
Department of History
Dr. Stratton’s lessons enable students to see how and why an understanding of the past is critical to our lives today. He possesses an extraordinary ability to generate excitement among students about course content.
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Renee Petersen
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Ms. Petersen teaches fundamentals that lay the foundation for the mechanical engineering, bioengineering, and civil/environmental engineering curriculums. Her innovative approach to teaching inspires students and motivates them to do their best.
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Faculty Diversity Award
Shira Broschat
School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Dr. Broschat has worked tirelessly to recruit and retain female students and those from underrepresented groups into the fields of computer science and engineering. Years after graduating, her students continue to express their gratitude to her for believing in them, inspiring them, and creating an inclusive environment where they can realize their potential.
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Sahlin Eminent Faculty Award
K. W. Hipps
Department of Chemistry and the
Materials Science and Engineering ProgramDr. Hipps’ research has advanced understanding of the fundamental chemistry and physics of interfaces and surfaces. He developed Orbital Mediated Tunneling Spectroscopy, a technique that enables the study of electron transfer in single molecules. His work has yielded new models for self‑assembly processes.
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Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award
Katrina L. Mealey
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Dr. Mealey discovered a mutation in the canine MDR1 gene that causes susceptibility to potentially fatal adverse drug reactions involving dozens of commonly used drugs. The simple cheek swab test she invented to detect the mutation has likely prevented life‑threatening drug reactions in hundreds of thousands of dogs worldwide.
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Emeritus Society Legacy of Excellence Award
Diane Gillespie
Department of English
Dr. Gillespie is an internationally recognized scholar and editor of late nineteenth and early twentieth‑century British literature, especially the modernist‑era writings of Virginia Woolf. Since her retirement in 2001, Dr. Gillespie has remained a major voice in Virginia Woolf studies.
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Promotions to the rank of Regents Professor
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Douglas R. Call
Professor
Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal HealthDr. Call stands among the world’s leading scholars working to combat antimicrobial resistance. His research on three continents seeks ways to thwart antibiotic-resistant bacteria in agriculture, hospitals, and communities. He advises policy makers and alliances worldwide on ways to mitigate emerging health threats.
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Jill McCluskey
Professor
School of Economic SciencesDr. McCluskey stands among the world’s most productive and widely cited scholars in the field of agricultural and applied economics. Many of her more than 100 refereed articles appear in the discipline’s most prestigious and impactful journals. Her work has deepened understanding of the economics of food quality and labeling, as well as of consumer preferences and industrial organization.
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Scot Hulbert
Professor
Department of Plant PathologyDr. Hulbert has achieved the highest level of distinction in the fields of plant pathology, plant genetics, and genomics. His discoveries have yielded new methods for incorporating disease resistance into crop plants. Top journals have published his more than 105 peer‑reviewed articles, cited over 4,700 times.
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President’s Employee Excellence Awards
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Chris Benson
Acquisitions coordinator, technical services
WSU LibrariesA more than 35‑year employee, Chris played a key role in WSU Libraries’ migration to a new cloud‑based library services platform. She is always willing to take on new initiatives.
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Deb Howe
Administrative manager
Honors CollegeDeb oversees the College’s office operations, as well as its financial and business activities. She fosters teamwork and makes an extra effort to provide personalized support to students.
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Kathie Jahn
Heavy equipment and grounds fiscal technician 3
Facilities Services Motor PoolKathie coordinates vehicle and scissor lift rentals, handles office operations, schedules car washers, manages rental billing, administers the setup of campus fuel cards, and much more. She is known for providing outstanding customer service.
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Beverly Makhani
Director of communications and marketing
Office of Undergraduate EducationBev is known for her highly collaborative work style. She seeks her colleagues’ diverse perspectives to ensure that she produces the best possible final product. She is the consummate communications professional and, to many students, a dedicated mentor.
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Terresa Watson
Director of budget and accounting
WSU VancouverTerresa has refined the process of forecasting and tracking budgets to ensure that the University meets spending targets. Her strong interpersonal skills make everyone eager to work with her. She has made the extraordinary choice to delay her retirement in order to help meet the needs of the Modernization Initiative.
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