In recognition of their talent, creativity and dedication for the 2021-2022 academic year, 17 members of the faculty and staff were awarded Lehigh’s most prestigious honors, the Lehigh University Awards.
“The faculty and staff we are recognizing make important contributions to Lehigh, to the success of our students and to our research mission. Many Lehigh faculty and staff make such contributions, but these individuals clearly stood out to their colleagues and to students for the work that they have done.” said Provost Nathan Urban. “Their continued dedication has had a tremendous impact on the Lehigh community.”
Members of the Lehigh community were invited to nominate faculty and staff who made an impact, whether through innovation, being a top performer in their department, or going out of their way to lend a helping hand. Nominations were due March 11. Recipients were chosen by the University Awards Committee(s) and Senior Leadership.
Faculty
Alfred Noble Robinson Faculty Award:
Haiyan Jia, assistant professor of journalism and communication and the Data X Initiative.
The Alfred Noble Robinson Award is awarded to a faculty member, or in exceptional cases, divided between two members of the Lehigh faculty. Winners of this award have shown extraordinary enthusiasm for Lehigh’s goals and priorities, often working beyond their direct area on university-wide projects or committees.
Carl & Ingeborg Beidleman Research Award in Business & Economics:
Tamara Lambert, associate professor of accounting and the Sue and Eugene Mercy, Jr. Professorship of Accounting.
This award is given to highlight quality research and refereed scholarship in business and applied economic disciplines at Lehigh; to reward those involved in distinguished research, and place research on an equal level with teaching and university service in the annual recognition of faculty achievements.
Christian & Mary Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching:
Nandini Deo, associate professor of political science.
Awarded to a tenured member of the faculty (professor or associate professor) for distinguished teaching performed during the academic year.
Hillman Award for Excellence in Graduate Advising:
Amanda Brandone, associate professor of psychology and Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Hillman Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising:
Jenna Lay, associate professor of English.
These awards recognize excellence in teaching, research or advancing the interests of Lehigh University. In that context, these awards recognize exemplary graduate or undergraduate student advising defined as either: a) Guiding students through their exploration and pursuit of an academic course of study; or b) Assisting students in the development and/or completion of research related to their degree program.
Hillman Faculty Award:
Wojciech Misiolek, Loewy Professor and department chair of materials science and engineering, director of The Loewy Institute.
Awarded for excellence in teaching or research work, or for advancing the interests of the university in any way the Trustees may select, or for a special financial need requiring aid, of which the Trustees may become aware, or for any other reason which they may deem just and proper.
Lehigh Early Career Award for Distinguished Teaching:
Elizabeth Young, assistant professor of chemistry.
Lehigh sponsors this award to be given to a member or members of the teaching staff for distinguished teaching performed during the academic year. This award, previously supported by the Lindback Foundation, and known as the Junior Lindback Award, is presented to an early-career faculty member (assistant professor, lecturer or instructor).
Libsch Early Career Research Award:
Rosi Reed, associate professor of physics.
This award is presented to highlight faculty members who are early in their research career; reward those who have demonstrated the potential for high-quality research and scholarship done at Lehigh; place research and scholarship on an equal footing with teaching and university service in the annual awarding of recognition. The recipients must have held a position at Lehigh for at least two years.
Libsch Research Award:
Volkmar Dierolf, distinguished professor and chair of the department of physics.
The objectives of this award are to recognize excellence in research, scholarship and/or artistic achievement, including the overall impact, as well as the quality and quantity of scholarly contributions; reward those who perform distinguished research; place research and scholarship on an equal footing with teaching and university service in the annual awarding of recognition. The recipients must typically have completed at least 10 years as a tenure-track faculty at a college, university or in an equivalent position at another type of institution.
Stabler Award for Excellence in Teaching:
Filippo Casati, assistant professor of philosophy.
Awarded to a member of the faculty who comes closest to the following standards: mastery of his or her field and superior ability in communicating it to others; an exceptional talent for encouraging students to want to understand alternatives and to make choices; knows how to extract from students the full measure of their potential to learn; guides their thoughts in a spirit of free inquiry and learns from them as he or she teaches; never rests from being a teacher; impresses on his or her students that they have only begun to learn while at Lehigh and that their real quest for knowledge and application of what they are taught will come after graduation; ultimate goal is not only to lead his or her students to excellence in their chosen field, but also to excellence as human beings and as leaders of society.
Staff
Alfred Noble Robinson Exempt and Nonexempt Staff Award:
Nicole Burke, associate director of first-year experience.
Recognizes outstanding performance in service to the university and unusual promise of professional achievement. Winners of this award have shown extraordinary enthusiasm for Lehigh’s goals and priorities, often working beyond their direct area/unit on university-wide projects or committees.
Hillman Exempt Staff Award:
Brooke DeSipio, director of gender violence education and support.
Hillman Nonexempt Staff Award:
Jeanne Kassis, executive assistant with the College of Health.
These awards recognize staff for excellence in administrative or research work, for advancing the interests of the university, exemplary initiative and service and sustained excellence in performance that has a major impact on advancing university goals.
Lehigh University Exempt Staff Distinguished Service Award:
Mary Gulick, director of graduate student affairs.
Recognizes a member of the exempt staff who has contributed in significant ways to the Lehigh community over a number of years.
Louis & Helen Zirkel Library Staff Award:
Lisa McColl, metadata services manager with library and technology services.
Alex Japha, digital archivist with Special Collections.
Established to recognize outstanding performance and service by a member of the exempt or nonexempt staff of the university libraries.
Perry & Carol Zirkel Nonexempt Staff Award:
Lynn Spina, coordinator with the chaplain’s office.
Established to recognize outstanding performance and contributions by a member of the nonexempt staff. No one is eligible to win this award more than once.
