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Faculty, staff members honored during NMSU fall convocation ceremony

  • engr_media
  • 21 August 2019

New Mexico State University honored its faculty and staff at the 2019 fall convocation ceremony Aug. 20 at NMSU’s Atkinson Recital Hall. Every fall and spring convocation is held to celebrate the start of a new semester.

Fall_Convocation_Awards_Group_Photo-410x250.jpg(L-R) Robert Steiner, Robert Ewing, John Idowu, Anaka Gorz, Lois Stanford, Hyeongjun Parker, after the Fall 2019 Convocation Ceremony at Atkinson Recital Hall.

The ceremony featured remarks by Chancellor Dan Arvizu, President John Floros and Provost Carol Parker.

Having served only 22 days as the university’s provost, Parker was introduced by Floros to the faculty and staff present at the ceremony.

“I’m so happy to be at NMSU, especially at this time, because I’m committed to higher education and I’m especially committed to improving student success,” Parker said. “Even more committed to those who are first-generation higher education students.”

Reflecting NMSU’s commitment of excelling at supporting students in achieving their educational goals and thereby providing social mobility, four awards were presented to five faculty members and a staff member for their service to the students.

“I want to congratulate all of our award winners, each represent the best at New Mexico State,” Arvizu said. “These are the highest honors we can bestow on our faculty and staff, and you all are certainly worthy of that.”

Robert Ewing, Department of Accounting and Information Systems, and Hyeongjun Park, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, received the Patricia Christmore Faculty Teaching Award. Named for Patricia Christmore, former accounting department head, this award recognizes and rewards superb junior tenure-track faculty members for excellence in teaching.

Anaka Gorz, Center for Academic Advising and Student Support, and Robert Steiner, Department of Economics and International Business, received the Excellence in Academic Advising Award. This award recognizes faculty and professional academic advisers for their outstanding achievement and service to NMSU’s students. Candidates are nominated by the students.

Lois Stanford, Department of Anthropology, received the Westhafer Award. This award is given in alternating years for excellence in teaching and for excellence in research and creative activity. This year’s award recognizes excellence in teaching. The Westhafer is presented in memory of Robert L. Westhafer, professor in the Department of Math from 1946 to 1957.

John Idowu, Extension plant science agronomist, received the Distinguished Extension Award. This award recognizes Extension faculty for their outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication to the Cooperative Extension Service.