PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (May 19, 2023) – Prairie View A&M University recently honored those who bring excellence to the University.
The “Reach for Excellence” Faculty and Staff Awards Recognition Luncheon on May 2 honored more than a dozen exceptional PVAMU faculty and staff.
“I’m very proud of the accomplishments and numerous contributions these individuals have made to serve the University and the community at large,” PVAMU Acting President Michael L. McFrazier said in his introductory remarks. “I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank each of you. I look forward to your continued success.”
Each year, faculty, staff, students and the academic community are encouraged to nominate faculty and staff for one of the available awards.
The three 2023 Presidential Awards recipients included:
- Peter Ampim (Outstanding Achievement as a Faculty Member)
- Orion Ciftja (Outstanding Achievement as a Researcher)
- Billie Evans (Outstanding Achievement as a Staff Member)
McFrazier and Ampim
The Presidential Awards are PVAMU’s highest honor bestowed upon individuals to recognize those whose accomplishments and contributions benefit the University, the community, and the world beyond.
Assistant Professor Peter Ampim joined the Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Human Ecology in 2018. As an agronomist, he teaches crop science and biology, natural resource conservation management, and forage and pasture management. His research and training grants have totaled over $14.6 million.
McFrazier and Ciftja
Professor of Physics Orion Ciftja has received numerous Texas A&M University System Teaching Excellence Awards over the years and has “practically taught all courses in the physics curriculum over the past two decades,” McFrazier said during his remarks. Moreover, “His scholarly achievements in the field of theoretical condensed matter physics are internationally known.”
School of Architecture Administrative Coordinator Billie Evans previously won the 2011-2012 Staff of the Year Award and started working at PVAMU almost 40 years ago.
McFrazier and Evans
Other award categories included: Faculty Awards, Faculty/Staff Research and Innovation Awards, and Staff Awards.
2023 Faculty Award recipients:
- Yuhao Xu (Outstanding Full-Time Teaching Tenure Track)
- Christanna Eshleman (Outstanding Full-Time Teaching Non-tenure Track)
- Patrick Luster (Faculty Service)
- Noel Estwick (Global Engagement Faculty)
2023 Faculty/Staff Research and Innovation Award recipients:
- Ram Ray (Excellence in Sponsored Research)
- Temilola Salami (Excellence in Scholarly Research)
- Yuhao Xu (Outstanding Early Researcher)
- Ashwani Srivastava (Excellence in Innovation, Commercialization, and Entrepreneurship)
2023 Staff Award recipients:
- Sharon Barnes (Initiative and Creativity)
- Shauna King (Customer Support)
- Marquis Lofton (Personal Accomplishments)
- Quincy Moore, Chelsee Young, and Kimberly Ingram (Team Accomplishments)
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