Graduate student awards ceremony will celebrate excellence


LAWRENCE — More than 70 outstanding graduate students, as well as staff and faculty, will be recognized at the annual University of Kansas Graduate Awards Ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, in the Kansas Union Ballroom. Awards will be presented by Audrey Lamb, interim dean of graduate studies.

“Graduate students are a key part of KU,” Lamb said. “As researchers and teachers, as leaders and teammates, as community members on campus and throughout the world, they contribute to the university’s mission. We enthusiastically celebrate their dedication, excellence and success.”

Awards from KU’s Three Minute Thesis Competition on Feb. 28 will be presented to three graduate students, and eight graduate students who participated in the Capitol Graduate Research Summit on Feb. 26 will also be recognized.

The Chancellor’s Graduate Teaching Assistant Award will be presented to Jenny Potter, doctoral student in music education and music therapy. Nominators celebrated her passion, professionalism and preparation while noting that her “high standards” provide “an excellent role model for our students.”

Five graduate students will receive Carlin Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards: Eugene Boadi-Danquah, doctoral student in civil, environmental & architectural engineering; Aishik Chakraborty, doctoral student in chemical & petroleum engineering; Sebastian Huayamares, doctoral student in bioengineering; Gretchen Montgomery, doctoral student in communication studies, and Arno Prinsloo, master’s student in aerospace engineering.

Alisa Russell, doctoral student in English, and Jennifer Doolin, doctoral student in chemistry, will both receive Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards. Russell was praised for teaching both “passionately and practically,” which “makes learning in her class a stimulating experience.” Described as “extraordinary generous with her time,” Doolin’s nominators consistently noted her ability to meet new demands and provide substantial feedback to students.

The Distinguished Service Award will be presented to Pamela Johnson, master’s student in bioengineering, for her excellence in many areas of service to KU. Nominators praised her for mentoring undergraduate students, writing grants, presenting at research conferences, organizing a symposium, being a leader in the Student Senate and serving on multiple committees that help guide the university.

Abigail Joy Phillips, master’s student in global & international studies, and Walter Goettlich, doctoral student in sociology, will be recognized as recipients of the Sherman and Irene Dreiseszun Scholarship for International Studies, as awarded by the Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Award Foundation. Both Phillips and Goettlich were praised for their attention to marginalized groups across the globe.

Martha Kehr, graduate program assistant in the Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, will be recognized with a Graduate Support Staff Award for her contributions to graduate education. Praised for creating a “welcoming and supportive environment… with her warming smile,” the department said Kehr makes a difference in the lives of graduate students with her “continuous positive energy, her professionalism and high level of ethics.”

Gregory Rudnick, professor and director of graduate studies in the Department of Physics & Astronomy, will be recognized with a Byrd Graduate Educator Award for his dedication to the welfare of graduate students. According to his students, he goes above and beyond in the support of the growth and success of all graduate students, and he strives to create a cohesive, engaging and supportive department.

In addition, the 2018-2023 cohort of Chancellor’s Doctoral Fellows, the 2018-2019 Self Graduating Senior Fellows and the 2018-2019 University Graduate Fellows will be recognized at the ceremony.

Teaching, service and research competition awardees are listed below:

Eugene Boadi-Danquah, doctoral student in civil, environmental & architectural engineering, will be recognized with a Carlin Graduate Teaching Assistant Award.

Aishik Chakraborty, doctoral student in chemical & petroleum engineering, will be recognized with a Carlin Graduate Teaching Assistant Award.

Zoe Dimond, doctoral student in molecular biosciences, will be recognized with a Capitol Graduate Research Summit presentation award.

Jennifer Doolin, doctoral student in chemistry, will be recognized with a Graduate Teaching Assistant Award.

Walter Goettlich, doctoral student in sociology, will be recognized with a Truman Good Neighbor Award.

Kait Howard, doctoral student in bioengineering, will be recognized with a Three Minute Thesis Competition Award.

Sebastian Huayamares, doctoral student in bioengineering, will be recognized with a Carlin Graduate Teaching Assistant Award.

Pamela Johnson, master’s student in bioengineering, will be recognized with a Distinguished Service Award.

Shravan Kaundinya, doctoral student in electrical engineering & computer science, will be recognized with a Three Minute Thesis Competition Award.

Martha Kehr, graduate program assistant in the Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, will be recognized with a Graduate Support Staff Award.

James Lafikes, doctoral student in civil, environmental & architectural engineering, will be recognized with a Capitol Graduate Research Summit presentation award.

Gretchen Montgomery, doctoral student in communication studies, will be recognized with a Carlin Graduate Teaching Assistant Award.

Abigail Joy Phillips, master’s student in global & international studies, will be recognized with a Truman Good Neighbor Award.

Jenny Potter, doctoral student in music education and music therapy, will be recognized with a Chancellor’s Graduate Teaching Assistant Award.

Arno Prinsloo, master’s student in aerospace engineering, will be recognized with a Carlin Graduate Teaching Assistant Award.

Gregory Rudnick, professor and director of graduate studies in the Department of Physics & Astronomy, will be recognized with a Byrd Graduate Educator Award.

Alisa Russell, doctoral student in English, will be recognized with a Graduate Teaching Assistant Award.

Sanjana Sundararajan, doctoral student in molecular biosciences, will be recognized with a Three Minute Thesis Competition Award.

Photo: Zoe Dimond, doctoral student in molecular biosciences, at the Capitol Graduate Research Summit in February.

Tue, 04/23/2019

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Damon Talbott

Media Contacts

Damon Talbott

Graduate Studies

785-864-1723