Chippewa Valley Times

Eight members of UW-Stout’s faculty and instructional staff have been honored for their work during the 2023-24 academic year.

Six employees received the Outstanding Teacher award, and two received the Outstanding Graduate Faculty award on Aug. 26 at the Engagement Session and Celebration that marked the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year. Additionally, two other faculty members were recognized by the Universities of Wisconsin.

“The start of the academic year provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our faculty and instructional academic staff as they prepare for their dynamic work with students,” said Glendalí Rodríguez, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

The Outstanding Teacher award recognizes commitment to excellence within the university community. Recipients include:

- Mary Climes, assistant professor, visual and performing arts

- Seth Dutter, professor, mathematics, statistics and computer science

- Kathryn Hamilton, professor, psychology

- Nicole Hayes, assistant professor, biology

- Mackenzie Krzmarzick, lecturer, English, philosophy and communication studies

- Brenda Puck, senior lecturer, engineering and technology

The selection process for honorees is coordinated internally by the university’s two colleges: Arts and Human Sciences; and Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management.

The Outstanding Graduate Faculty award acknowledges outstanding commitment to graduate student communities based on student feedback. The recipients are:

- Kelly Droege, assistant professor in operations and management

- Pranabendu Mitra works with a student in a food science lab

The eight recipients received a commemorative award along with a congratulatory memo from Rodríguez. They were also recognized by Chancellor Katherine Frank during an event at the Memorial Student Center.

Fall semester classes will commence on Wednesday, Sept. 4.

Professor Kathryn Hamilton is one of eight instructors honored this year. She is starting her 17th year teaching psychology at UW-Stout. “I love working with the students inside and outside of the classroom and seeing their growth until graduation,” she said.

“In addition to teaching my classes," Hamilton continued," I’ve had the great opportunity to work with students on research... help students prepare for life after graduation through academic advisement... In all these ways I have gotten to see students grow... it’s so much fun.”

Hamilton challenges herself each year to improve her teaching methods: “We are all a work in progress. I’m always tinkering with my courses... exploring different ideas for how to approach teaching... so I can learn how to be a better teacher."

Hamilton is chair of UW-Stout's psychology department which offers both Bachelor of Science programs on campus/online; Master of Science in applied industrial/organizational psychology.

Two UW-Stout faculty members have also been honored by Universities of Wisconsin as Wisconsin Teaching Fellows & Scholars:

Kate Liu (assistant professor in engineering/technology) & Lauren Johnson (assistant professor in English/philosophy/communication studies).

This program provides programming/funding supporting faculty across UW ensuring "all students have opportunity learn/succeed/thrive," according its statement.

In fall 2023 UW-Stout had 222 faculty &182 instructional staff.

In 2021 implemented FOCUS2030 strategic plan w/goals including employee success focusing equitable environment investing/supporting diverse development opportunities.