KOKOMO, Ind. — Indiana University Kokomo honored faculty for excellence in research, community and campus service, teaching, and promoting diversity, at its annual Fall Convocation.
Awny Alnusair, associate professor of informatics, received the senior faculty scholarship award. Peter Sposato, assistant professor of history, received the junior faculty scholarship award.
Christina Romero-Ivanova, acting assistant professor of education, received the Virgil Hunt Distinguished Service Award. Rosalyn Davis, clinical assistant professor of psychology, was honored with the Chancellor’s Diversity Excellence Award. Tara Kingsley, assistant professor of education, received the Claude Rich Excellence in Teaching Award, the campus’ highest teaching honor.
Kingsley was honored to receive the recognition for her innovation in integrating technology into curriculum, and her dedication to student success. The award commemorates Howard County native Claude Rich, who retired from IU after 44 years of service.
This recognition is very affirming,” she said. “It reminds me of my commitment to care deeply about my students and inspires me to continue improving my practice within our wonderful profession. I am grateful to win this award in Claude Rich’s honor and join the past recipients of this award, including Julie Saam, who has been a wonderful friend and mentor to me.”
Davis was lauded for leadership in campus diversity efforts, with the Chancellor’s Diversity Excellence Award, given for endeavors that promote diversity at IU Kokomo. She was honored for activities including recruiting minority faculty, mentoring students of color, and weaving diversity and multiculturalism into her class material.
It’s a significant honor, and I appreciate being nominated,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of productive work this year, and more conversations about how to do diversity not just in programming, but in working with faculty to incorporate diversity in their curriculum, so it’s not just a one-off event.”
Romero-Ivanova was selected for the Virgil Hunt Distinguished Service award, which honors outstanding service by faculty or staff. She was honored for her commitment to intertwining education and service, partnering her classes with local organizations, such as having education students teach computer skills to women in the FSA domestic violence shelter.
To me, this is about the people I’ve worked with in the community, and in the classroom,” she said. “That’s why I do what I do, and have my students do what they do.”
Alnusair was recognized for his work in programming the semantic web.
We have outstanding researchers here on our faculty,” he said. “To receive this award is a great honor for me, and I appreciate it. Our faculty are doing excellent research, enhancing the reputation of this campus.”
Sposato was honored for his research in medieval history, noting it is validation of the value IU Kokomo places on research.
Research shows you are engaged in scholarship, which makes you a fantastic teacher,” he said. “Excellence in teaching and scholarship go hand-in-hand.”
Trustees Teaching Award recipients were Stephanie Medley-Rath, assistant professor of sociology, Erin Doss, assistant professor of communication arts, Tara Kingsley, assistant professor of education, Gloria Preece, director of the Master of Business Administration program, Josh Mugg, lecturer in philosophy, and Dmitriy Chulkov, professor of economics and management information systems.
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.