HPU Press Release – Members of Howard Payne University’s faculty and staff were honored during the annual personnel recognition luncheon held recently on the HPU campus. Dr. Elizabeth Wallace, professor of music and chair of the Department of Music, was named the Outstanding Faculty Member for the year. PJ Gramling, director of admission, was presented the Outstanding Staff Member award.

 

Pictured at top: Dr. Elizabeth Wallace, third from left, was presented the Outstanding Faculty Member Award for the 2016-2017 academic year at HPU. She is pictured with Paul Underwood, right; Jill Underwood, second from left; and Dr. Bill Ellis, HPU president, left. The award is made possible by Underwood’s Cafeteria.

The outstanding faculty and staff member awards are made possible by Underwood’s Cafeteria and Porter Insurance Agency, respectively.

Certificates recognizing excellence in teaching were presented to Dr. Marilyn Mathis, associate professor of biology, and Dr. Rodney Stephens, associate professor of English. Certificates recognizing excellence in service were presented to staff members Nikki Donathan, cashier, and Stephen Sullivan, director of development and alumni relations.

Special plaques commemorating retirement were awarded to Curly Cox, associate professor of kinesiology; Dr. Marilyn Mathis, associate professor of biology; John Nickols, assistant professor of history and government; Dr. Joe Robinson, professor of education and director of the graduate program in instructional leadership; and Lana Wagner, registrar.

PJ Gramling, center, received the Outstanding Staff Member Award for the 2016-2017 academic year at HPU. She is pictured with Dr. Bill Ellis, HPU president, left, and Robert Porter, right. The award is made possible by Porter Insurance Agency.

Also receiving awards were:

Five years of service – Estevan Arbaiza, head men’s soccer coach; Emily Attaway, part-time director of financial reporting; Karina Daniel, director of corporate, community and foundation relations; Kelly Franke, coordinator of transfer credit and records; Sarah Griffin, library administrative assistant; David Harmon, professor of art and chair of the Department of Art; Cindy Harris, development database manager; Dr. Brad Lemler, dean of the School of Business and professor of accounting; Dr. Denny Megarity, assistant professor of chemistry; Meia Netter, head women’s basketball coach; Will Ogden, custodian; Bob Pacatte, assistant chief of the HPU Department of Public Safety; Kim Pickard, financial aid counselor; Dr. Debra Powell, associate professor of business administration; Kenny Richardson, grounds athletic foreman; Matthew Rutkowski, El Paso Center admission counselor; Susan Sharp, teacher certification officer for the School of Education; and Stephen Sullivan, director of development and alumni relations.

Ten years of service – Jason Cook, custodian – inventory crew leader; Tammy Dake, custodian; Troy Drummond, head men’s basketball coach and head golf coach; Dr. Nick Ewen, assistant professor of theatre; Brent Groom, carpenter; Danny Ingram, instructor of music; Yvonne Lundy, executive assistant to the associate vice president for enrollment management; José Mata, head women’s softball coach; and Dr. W. Mark Tew, provost and chief academic officer.

Fifteen years of service – Chuck Gartman, assistant professor of Christian studies.

Twenty years of service – Curly Cox, associate professor of kinesiology; Marcie Drew, controller; Dr. Millard Kimery, dean of the School of Humanities and professor of English; and Terrie Wells, administrative assistant for the School of Humanities.

Twenty-five years of service –  Bill Fishback, associate vice president for business and human resources; Mary Hill, administrative assistant for the School of Business; Wade Kinnin, instruction and outreach services librarian and assistant professor of library science; and Randy Weehunt, public safety officer.

Thirty years of service – Sharon Riker, administrative assistant for the Department of Athletics.

Thirty-five years of service – Chuck Boland, professor of accounting and chair of the Department of Accounting.

Forty-five years of service – Bobbie Price, certification coordinator and graduation assistant.