New Mexico Tech emeritus faculty, staff, retirees at meeting
August 19, 2022
Socorro, M.M – New Mexico Tech honored faculty, staff and retirees on August 19, 2022 at the Faculty and Staff Convocation ceremony, combining annual service awards, retiree awards and faculty and staff awards. He announced separately. A ceremony and dessert social hosted by President Stephen G. Wells and his cabinet was held in the Massey Center Auditorium. A separate student assembly was held on August 14, 2022 to begin the academic year.
President Wells moved to a separate event for retirees, faculty and staff awards due to the length of the spring commencement ceremony and a desire to focus more on the accomplishments and contributions of faculty and staff, including length of service, research grants, and other awards.
“This change was made so that we can take the time to highlight these award winners and inspire future award winners,” he said.
Tech’s ceremony honored 65 employees who achieved the highest achievement in years of service to the university – 10 – 15 – 20 – 30 – and the 35 year awardees – a total of 1,155 years of service. During the ceremony, 14 retirees were also honored for their 277 years of service to technology last year.
Three faculty members accepted Awards for research, service and teaching In early May, they were again honored for their outstanding contributions:
- Distinguished Research Award: Matthew Heisler, Ph.D.
- Distinguished Service Award; Curtis O’Malley, Ph.D.
- Distinguished Teaching Award: Minnie Mao, Ph.D
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Early Career Awards were presented to five distinguished professors:
- Caitano da Silva, Ph.D.
- Alexander GC, Ph.D.
- Chelsea Hargazer, Ph.D.
- Kukta Lee, Ph.D.
- Joel Sharbrough, Ph.D.
Student Government Association (SGA) for employee Michael Vogerl; Director of the Center for Student Leadership and Engagement and Coordinator of International Programsand faculty member Jeff Altig, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, for their outstanding contributions to the student body.
Dozens of university departments and research units have been awarded for their funding of research projects. Prizes were given to five teachers who scored possession and promotionAnd many new faculty and staff were welcomed to the university.
President Wells set the tone for the academic year in his opening faculty and staff assembly remarks.
“Everyone here has a role to play in keeping Tech’s culture and tradition of welcome,” he said. “We are working together as a university not only to be a center of academic excellence, but also to be a platform of peace, tolerance and welcome.”
