The University of Missouri-Kansas City recognized 19 faculty members across the university in the 2025 Faculty Awards Celebration. Awards were given for research and scholarship, teaching and mentorship, engagement, service and leadership.
Faculty on the terrace at Linda Hall Library
The event began with a reception on the terrace outside UMKC neighbor Linda Hall Library followed by a ceremony indoors.
"While we know you don’t do this work for applause, today is a moment to say – sincerely and clearly – that we see what you do, and we are grateful," Provost Jennifer Lundgren said. "You are the foundation of this university. And today, we celebrate not just individual achievements, but the shared spirit that defines our campus community."
Chancellor Mauli Agrawal also delivered remarks at the ceremony.
"Because of your dedication, UMKC is thriving," Agrawal said. "Our students are graduating prepared to lead, our research is pushing boundaries and our impact in Kansas City and our region continues to grow. You are the driving force behind our success."
They recognized the 2025 awardees:
Research Awards
N.T. Veatch Award for Distinguished Research and Creativity
Zhu Li, School of Science and Engineering
Trustees’ Faculty Fellow Award
Hadara Bar-Nadav, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Chancellor, Provost and Kati Toivanen
Teaching Awards
Elmer F. Pierson Good Teaching Awards
Sara Gardner, School of Medicine
Julie Kline, Henry W. Bloch School of Management
Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching: Early Career Faculty
Michael Ternes, School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences
Timothy Wezeman, School of Dentistry
Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching: Mid-Career/Senior Faculty:
-Xiangping Chu, School of Medicine
L. Michaelle Tobin, School of Law
-Provost’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring
Stephane Dissel, School of Science and Engineering
-Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Researchers, Scholars and Artists
Kelsey Gardiner, School of Nursing and Health Studies
Hillary McGraw, School of Science and Engineering
-Engagement, Service and Leadership Awards
Chancellor’s Award for Inclusive Opportunity and Excellence
Baek-Young Choi, School of Science and Engineering
-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Community Engagement
Carla Noack, Conservatory
Leadership and Career Contributions Awards
Andrew Granade and Chancellor
Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Leadership
-Andrew Granade, Conservatory
-Chancellor’s Award for Career Contributions to the University
-Kati Toivanen, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
-New Curators' Distinguished Professors
Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor
-Yugyung Lee, School of Science and Engineering
Sean O'Brien, School of Law
Original source can be found here.