The Awards of Distinction recognize the exceptional achievements, dedicated service, and transformative leadership of our faculty, staff, and students. This archive serves as a testament to the enduring impact of those who have gone above and beyond to enrich our campus community and advance the university’s mission.
UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award Past Recipients
YearRecipientDepartment / Affiliation2025Dr. Charlie ChenDepartment of Computer Information Systems2024Dr. Brooke ChristianDepartment of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences2023Dr. Maryam AhmedDepartment of Biology
Appalachian State University Excellence in Teaching Award Past Recipients
YearRecipientDepartment / Affiliation2025Dr. Shannon ClineDepartment of Recreation Management and Physical Education2024Dr. Ellen LamontDepartment of Sociology2023Emily DaughtridgeDepartment of Theatre and Dance
Appalachian State University School/College Award Past Recipients
YearRecipientDepartment / Affiliation2025Alana BairdDepartment of Mathematical Sciences2025Dr. Clare Scott ChialvoDepartment of Biology2025Dr. Brandy HadleyDepartment of Finance, Banking and Insurance2025Dr. Jamie LevineDepartment of Geological and Environmental Sciences2025Dr. Katie MawhinneyDepartment of Mathematical Sciences2024Benjamin GoodDepartment of English2024Dr. Jordan HazelwoodDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences2024Dr. Ellen KeyDepartment of Government and Justice Studies2024Dr. Lisa CurtinDepartment of Psychology2024Dr. Leah ShermanDepartment of Physics and Astronomy
W. H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion Past Recipients
YearRecipientDepartment / Affiliation2025Amarah DinPolitical Science–Pre-Professional Legal Studies2025Dr. Rita JoynerDepartment of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment2025Kathryn LongCommunication Sciences and Disorders2025Dr. Heather Jo MashburnOffice of Community-Engaged Leadership2025Misty MayfieldDepartment of Geography and Planning2025Juan Pablo “J.P.” NeriHistory2025Savannah RaleyPolitical Science–American Politics2024Scott HaynesSchaefer Center for the Performing Arts2024Caitlin LangleySustainable Development–Environmental Studies2024Kaitlyn MillsExercise Science2024Dr. Baker PerryDepartment of Geography and Planning2024Abby SilversEnglish–Professional Writing2024Eddie SimmonsDepartment of Recreation Management and Physical Education / University Recreation2023Beth HolcombCampus Activities2023Christian MartinMiddle Grades Education2023Rylan O’ConnorElectronic Media/Broadcasting2022Dr. Alex F. Howard 2022Laura Buck 2022Annabelle “Annie” Manges 2021Jason Marshburn 2021Dr. Thomas Mueller 2021Aiyana Willoughby 2020Rachael Beller 2020Randy Edwards 2020Grayson Farmer 2020Sadie Maddock 2019Roy Dale Cox 2019Nikki Crees 2019Harry Davis 2019Jon Garst 2019Evan Atkinson 2019Traci D. Royster 2018Elaine “Lainey” Everly 2018Nicole Flournory 2018Keith Martin 2018Patrick Setzer 2017Dr. Mike Mayfield 2017Ms. Martha Marking 2017Mr. Jonathan Mauldin 2017Mr. John Martin “Jamal” Peters 2016Ms. Emily Haas 2016Mr. Greg Lovins 2016Dr. Amy Dellinger Page 2016Mr. Carson Rich 2016Mr. Stanley Broaden 2016Ms. Katherine Uva 2015Dr. Unal Boya 2015Mr. Dayton Cole 2015Ms. Zoe Deloglos 2015Mr. Merrick Marquie 2014Dr. Sally Atkins 2014Jacob Brooks 2014Ms. Kate Johnson 2014Dylan Russell 2014Ms. Ashton Starnes 2014Mr. John Weaver 2013Ms. Lauren Brigman 2013Dr. Jim Street 2013James Terrell III 2012Dr. Pat Geiger 2012Dr. Scott Hunsinger 2012Mr. David M. Lee 2012Mr. Giovanni Modica 2012Mr. Sam Williams 2012Ms. Martha Wilson 2011Dr. Philip Ardoin 2011Ms. Laura Byrd 2011Ms. Jenny Koehn 2011Ms. Jean Roberts 2011Mr. Peter Allen Rowe 2010Ms. Courtney Rickenberg 2010Ms. Jennifer Snodgrass 2010Ms. Susie Greene 2010Mr. Michael McSwain 2009Mona Brandon 2009Esther Manogin 2009Susan Musilli 2009William D. Windley 2008Whitney E. Baker 2008Kara A. Brown 2008Forrest S. Gilliam 2008William “Sonny” Struss 2008Bryan C. Toney 2008Tracey L. Wright 2007Sarah Buchanan 2007Jamarl Clark 2007Dr. Holly Hirst 2007Dawn Sheppard 2007Brad Vest 2006Adrianna N. DiBernardi 2006Dr. Robert L. Johnson 2006Kendrick C. Tillman 2005Joe Carter 2005Matthew Dull 2005Edith Fuller 2005Kelly Rhodes 2004Amy Dixon 2004Judy Haas 2004Dr. Scott Meister 2004Brian Merritt 2004Dr. John Thomas 2003Harvey R. Durham 2003Robert Feid 2003Dennis L. Jackson 2003Pat Knight 2003Seth R. Wood 2002Dr. Art Quickenton 2002Dave Robertson 2002Shiona Christensen 2001Vaughn Christian 2001William Buck Derrick Jr. 2001Ashley Goad 2001Peggy Eller 2000Dino DiBernardi 2000Richard “Rick” Geis 2000Joe Piacentino 2000Eric Reichard 2000Jimmy Smith 2000Kiley Costner 1999Erin Atkins 1999Barbara Daye 1999Edelma Huntley 1999Micki Riggsbee Early 1998James Jackson 1998Fernando Little 1998Lee McCaskey
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Past Recipients
YearRecipientDepartment / Affiliation2025Dr. Rahman TashakkoriDepartment of Computer Science2024Dr. Alan NeedleDepartment of Public Health and Exercise Science and Department of Rehabilitation Sciences2023Dr. David KoppenhaverDepartment of Child Development, Literacy and Special Education
Provost’s Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Recipients
YearRecipientDepartment / Affiliation2025Dr. Joby BellHayes School of Music2024Dr. Will CanuDepartment of Psychology2023Dr. Maggie SuggDepartment of Geography and Planning
Wayne D. Duncan Faculty Enrichment and Teaching Fellowship Past Recipients
YearRecipientDepartment / Affiliation2025Dr. Cuong MaiDepartment of Philosophy and Religion2024Carla RamsdellDepartment of Physics and Astronomy2023Dr. Pablo ChialvoDepartment of Biology
Harvey R. Durham Outstanding Freshman Advocate Award Past Recipients
YearRecipientDepartment / Affiliation2025Dr. Vicky KlimaHonors College / Department of Mathematical Sciences2024Dr. Michael KrennDepartment of History2023Dr. Laura AmmonDepartment of Philosophy and Religion / Watauga Residential College
Staff Excellence Award Past Recipients
YearRecipientDepartment / Affiliation2025Bryan BelcherInterprofessional Clinic2025Carole GreeneBeaver College of Health Sciences2025Michelle HairBeaver College of Health Sciences2025Mary Sheryl HorineAppalachian Institute for Health and Wellness2025Annie JohnsonBusiness Career Services2024Kimberly AnthonyUniversity Recreation2024Alan ByrdNew River Light and Power2024Karen FletcherOffice of Research and Innovation2024Jessica GuggenheimerBeaver College of Health Sciences2024Lanie KarstromOffice of Sustainability2024Emory MaidenInformation Technology Services2024Diana NelsonCollege of Arts and Sciences Advising and Support Services Hub2024Dr. Nate WeiglAdmissions2024Samantha WilliamsDepartment of Computer Information Systems2023Adam AdcockDepartment of Art2023Sarah-Davis CagleEnrollment Analytics and Customer Relationship Management Solutions2023Amy RobertsCampus Services
Student Employee Supervisor of the Year Award Past Recipients
YearRecipientDepartment / Affiliation2025Cathy BellStudent Learning Center, Hickory Campus
Ronny L. Brooks Leadership Award Past Recipients
YearRecipientDepartment / Affiliation2025Kaylee GreenePolitical Science–International and Comparative Politics2025Jaden HatcherMarketing–Digital Marketing2025Jake JensonPolitical Science–Pre-Professional Legal Studies2025Margaret-Ann LittauerNursing2025Kam SmithMarketing2024Esmeralda “Esme” Hernandez-AlvarezBuilding Sciences2023Ella BroseGlobal Studies2023Sharon DonahueNursing