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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—ɫɫÀ² 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 É«É«À²â€™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

• É«É«À² Athletics Task Force 

• É«É«À² 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

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