Photo gallery: 2026 Faculty Excellence Week celebrates teaching, research, service
May 6, 2026 Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu Photos by Abbie Lankitus
The University of Missouri’s world-renowned faculty members thrive in their respective fields through research, teaching and service. Recently, their contributions were recognized as part of Faculty Excellence Week.
Leading up to the celebration, Mizzou’s Faculty Council on University Policy sponsored an American Red Cross blood drive, collecting 30 units from 27 donors, including 13 first-time donors.
Faculty Excellence Week included an appreciation luncheon featuring food trucks, a performance by Marching Mizzou and Flyover Country Band, photo opportunities with Truman the Tiger and camaraderie among colleagues.
Later in the week, Matthew Martens, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, recognized faculty successes throughout the year. Scroll down for award recipients.
Mizzou and UM System awards
Peng Tian, left, assistant extension professor with the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, received the Provost's Award for Creative Extension Programming by New Faculty. He is pictured with Matthew Martens, provost and executive vice chancellor.
Ashley Groh, left, a professor in the College of Arts and Science, received the Provost's Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentoring of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship - Arts and Humanities, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. She is pictured with Martens.
Elizabeth King, associate professor in the College of Arts and Science, received the Provost's Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentoring of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship - Life Science, Math and Physical Science. She is pictured with Martens.
Kale Monk, left, received the Donald W. Fancher Provost Award for Outstanding Achievement in Extension and Continuing Education. He is pictured with Martens.
Marcello Mogetta, left, associate professor in the College of Arts and Science, received the Provost's Award for Leadership in International Education. He is pictured with Martens.
Walter Gassmann, left, professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, received the Provost's Award for University Citizenship in Leadership. He is pictured with Martens.
Eileen Avery, left, associate professor in the College of Arts and Science, received the Provost's Award for University Citizenship in Faculty Service. She is pictured with Martens.
Sonja Wilhelm Stanis, left, professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, received the Provost's Award for University Citizenship in Mentoring.
Recipients of the Provost's Outstanding Junior Faculty Teaching Award, from left, are Doug Valentine and Bonnie McLarty, assistant teaching professors in the College of Arts and Science; and Keely Alexander, assistant teaching professor in the College of Education and Human Development. They are pictured with Martens.Recipients of the Provost's Outstanding Junior Faculty Research and Creative Award are Andrew Kelleher, assistant professor in the School of Medicine, and Joseph Santin, assistant professor in the College of Arts and Science.
Robert Thomen, associate professor in the School of Medicine, received the Maxine Christopher Shutz Award and Lecture for Distinguished Teaching. He is pictured with Martens.
Wendy Reinke, Curators' Distinguished Professor in the College of Education and Human Development, received the William H. Byler Distinguished Professor Award. She is pictured with Martens.
Lesleighan Cravens, second from left, assistant teaching professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, received the Kathleen and Robert Unrath Excellence in Visionary Teaching Award. She is pictured with Derek Fox, professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, who created a custom painting for the honoree; Kathleen and Robert Unrath; and Martens.The 2025 Curators' Distinguished Professor cohort. From left, Curators' Distinguished Teaching Professors Brian Silvey from the College of Arts and Science, and Stephen Ball from the College of Health Science; Donald Burke-Agüero from the School of Medicine; Curators' Distinguished Teaching Professor Anne Alexander from the School of Law; Curators' Distinguished Professors Scott H. Holan from the College of Arts and Science, Sheila Grant from the College of Engineering, R. Scott Rector from the School of Medicine, Raghuraman Kannan from the School of Medicine, and John "Jack" Tanner from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. They are pictured with Martens. Not pictured: Wes Warren, Curators' Distinguished Professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.Jo Britt-Rankin, extension professor in the College of Health Sciences, center, received the C. Brice Ratchford Memorial Fellowship. She is pictured with Martens, left, and Chadwick Higgins, UM System chief engagement officer and vice chancellor for extension and engagement.
Amy Knopps, left, associate teaching professor in the College of Arts and Science, received the Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. She is pictured with Martens.
Ron Mittler, left, Curators' Distinguished Professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, received the Mizzou Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award. He is pictured with Martens.
Zheng Yan, left, associate professor in the College of Engineering, received the Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Research and Creative Activity in the Physical and Mathematical Sciences. He is pictured with Martens.
Sungkyoung Lee, left, associate professor in the Missouri School of Journalism, received the Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Research and Creative Activity in the Behavioral and Social Sciences. She is pictured with Martens.
External awards
From left are Nicholas Gaspelin, associate professor in the College of Arts and Science, who was named an Association for Psychological Science Fellow; John Frymire, associate professor in the College of Arts and Science, who received the Harold J. Grimm Prize from the Sixteenth Century Society; Bill Ma, Curators' Distinguished Professor in the College of Engineering, who received the Heat Transfer Memorial Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers; and Martens. Not pictured is Jordan A. Booker, associate professor in the College of Arts and Science, who was named an Association for Psychological Science Fellow.The 2024-2025 Fulbright Scholars, from left, are Brian Silvey, Curators' Distinguished Teaching Professor in the College of Arts and Science, and Christina Carney, associate professor in the College of Arts and Science. Fulbright Scholars from 2025-26 are Anne Sales, professor in the Sinclair School of Nursing; and Sanchin Handa, associate professor in the College of Arts and Science. They are pictured with Martens. Not pictured: Susanta Behura, assistant professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Laura Morett, associate professor in the College of Health Sciences; Allison Pease, assistant professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Dan Edidin, professor in the College of Arts and Science; and Rob Walker, associate professor in the College of Arts and Science.
Roman Ganta, Curators' Distinguished Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, was named an American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow. He is pictured with Martens. Not pictured are AAAS Fellows Paul de Figueiredo and Wes Warren.
From left are Gary Stacey, Curators' Distinguished Professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, who received the Stephen Hales Prize from the American Society of Plant Biologists; Noah Heringman, Curators' Distinguished Professor in the College of Arts and Science, who received a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship; and Martens. Not pictured is Deborah Pearsall, professor emerita in the College of Arts and Science, who was named a member of the American Academy of Arts and Science.
