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UND announces award winners for annual Founders Day celebration

The University of North Dakota will mark its 139th anniversary at the at its annual Founders Day banquet Thursday, Feb. 17, in the Memorial Union Ballroom. A social will begin at 5:15 p.m. with music provided by the UND Red River Trio and the banquet will begin at 6 p.m.

Founders Day marks the anniversary of the signing of the 1883 Dakota Territory legislation establishing the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, and is the official birthday of UND. The first celebration of Founders Day was held in 1904.

The program will feature a welcome from President Andy Armacost, who will emcee the event, and remarks from DeAnna Carlson Zink, CEO of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation. Presenters will include Eric Link, provost and vice president for academic affairs; Karen Plumm, vice provost for student success; and Peggy Varberg, associate vice president for human resources & payroll.

Retirees with at least 15 years of service, employees with 25-years of service, and department and faculty and staff award winners are recognized at the banquet.

The following will receive awards at the annual Founders Day banquet on Feb. 17.

The UND Foundation/McDermott Faculty Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching:

  • RaeAnn Anderson, Assistant Professor, Psychology

The UND Foundation/Lydia & Arthur Saiki Faculty Award for Individual Excellence in Teaching:

  • Ric Ferraro, Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor, Psychology

UND Award for Excellence in Online Course Development & Innovative Teaching Strategies:

  • Nikola (Nick) Datzov, Assistant Professor, Law
  • Cerynn Desjarlais, Clinical Assistant Professor, Counseling
  • Shaina Mattingly, Teaching Assistant Professor, Chemistry
  • Hallie Chelmo, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering
  • Anne Bodensteiner, Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Director, Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Robert Warren, Instructor, Marketing
  • Paul Snyder, Director of UAS Program, Aviation
  • Sclinda Janssen, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy

The UND Foundation/McDermott Faculty Award for Excellence in Graduate or Professional Teaching:

  • Jane Loscheider, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy

The UND Foundation/Lydia & Arthur Saiki Faculty Award for Excellence in Service:

  • Elizabeth Legerski, Associate Professor, Sociology

The UND Foundation/McDermott Faculty Award for Excellence in Research and/or Creative Activity:

  • Cynthia Prescott, Professor, History
  • Feng (Frank) Xiao, Associate Professor, Civil Engineering

The UND Foundation/B.C. Gamble Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, Research or Creative Activity, & Service:

  • Surojit Gupta, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering

VPAA Award for Excellence in Assessment:

  • Amber Johnson, Clinical Assistant Professor, Nurse Anesthesia Assistant Program Director, Nursing

UND Foundation/Karleen Home Rosaaen Award for Excellence in Academic Advising:

  • Leslie Martin, Associate Professor, Aviation

VPAA Award for Outstanding Professional Academic Advising:

  • Jake Vivier, Academic Core Advisor, AVP Student Success
  • Dan Cooley, Academic Core Advisor, AVP Student Success
  • Allison Waswick, Assistant Professor, Medical Laboratory Science
  • Brittany Borgen, Academic Core Advisor, AVP Student Success
  • Kelsey Wattenhofer, SASS Coordinator, Athletics
  • Joan Jorde, Assistant Director/Advisor, TRIO Programs

Award for Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Research and Creative Activity:

  • Richard Van Eck, Professor, Population Health
  • Jon Allen, Director of Simulation Center, UND Simulation Center
  • Eric Johnson, Professor, Family & Community Medicine
  • Darlene Hanson, Clinical Professor, CRSC Director, Nursing
  • David Relling, Associate Dean for Health Sciences, Dean’s Office Med
  • Sclinda Janssen, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy
  • Craig Burns, Assistant Professor, Social Work

The UND Award for Departmental Excellence in Teaching:

  • Chemistry

The UND Award for Departmental Excellence in Research and Creative Activity:

  • Department of Education, Health & Behavioral Studies

The UND Award for Departmental Excellence in Service:

  • Family and Community Medicine

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