Buena Vista University Honors Faculty and Staff

June 8, 2016

Buena Vista University held its annual Faculty and Staff Recognition Dinner on May 20 to recognize and award achievements for employees of the University.

The sixteenth annual Education for Service Award was presented to Cindy McDonough, administrative assistant to the Harold Walter Siebens School of Business. The award was established in 1998 by John and Connie Klockentager to honor a faculty or staff member who demonstrates an outstanding work ethic and is valued as a role model within the BVU community. John Klockentager is a former vice president for enrollment services at Buena Vista.

In announcing the award to McDonough at the dinner, University President Fred Moore said, "Cindy is driven by each student's transformational learning experience and is tireless in helping each of them achieve their goals. At times that has meant nudging them toward an internship, reminding them of a significant scholarship opportunity, or calming nerves during a difficult homework assignment. With a smile and a positive attitude, she provides her best day in and day out."

Katelyn Brinkerhoff, president-elect of the Student Senate, announced the winners of two awards selected through voting by students. Dr. Tom Bonagura, assistant professor of biology, was selected as Student Senate Faculty Member of the Year, and Ken Allen, general manager of Sodexo, was selected as Student Senate Staff Member of the Year.

The Faculty Development Award for Research was awarded to Dr. Nathan Backman, assistant professor of computer science. Dr. Backman was selected for his paper at the ACM SIGCSE 2016 conference titled "Facilitating a Battle Between Hackers: Computer Security Outside of the Classroom" and his work with the BVU Capture the Flag contest, an intercollegiate computer security competition. Advising awards were presented to Professor Kathryn McKinley, associate professor of social work, and Dr. Jerry Johnson, assistant professor of digital media.

Dr. Mary Gill, professor of communication; Sue Vaudt, administrative assistant to the school of science, Scott Eike, boiler technician; and Suzette Radke, director of business services/controller and incoming vice president for finance and administration were all honored for 25 years of service to the University.

Retiring faculty member, Dr. Mike Whitlatch, was honored with emeritus status and was also inducted into the Order of Cumberland and Tollefson. Both honors are reserved for retiring faculty members who have given exceptional service to the university.

The following faculty members received promotions, as noted, which are effective starting the 2016-17 academic year: Dr. Wind Goodfriend (SL'98) to professor of experimental psychology; Dr. David Klee to professor of music; Professor Julie Finnern to associate professor of education and dean of the School of Education/Exercise Science; Dr. Andrea Frantz to professor of digital media; Dr. Gwen Hart to associate professor of English; and Dr. Lisa Mellmann to associate professor of physical science. Finnern, Frantz, Hart and Mellmann were also granted tenure.

Faculty Member of the Year Awards for BVU's Online, Site and Graduate programs were also announced at the event: Julie Dygert in Council Bluffs; Rich Clinesmith in Carroll, Denison and Fort Dodge; Dr. Kenneth Hayes in Marshalltown; Todd Chelf in Ottumwa; Elizabeth Kluver in Spencer; Patti Hanson for online programs; and Dr. Laura Gallo for the graduate programs.