The Student Impact Grants for Faculty Mentors are given annually to EIU faculty who engage in high impact student practices, including projects intended to result in publications with student co-authors, joint research endeavors with students that are accessible to external audiences, partnerships with local community organizations or schools, public displays of research and/or new creative works, and other projects that lead to external recognition at EIU.
Sanghoon Kang (Biological Sciences), Gopal Periyannan and Radu Semeniuc (Chemistry & Biochemistry), Diane Burns (Geology-Geography), Margaret Floress (Psychology), and Andrew Britton (School of Communication & Journalism).
The Achievement and Contribution Awards are given annually to Eastern Illinois University faculty for outstanding work in the areas of teaching/primary duties, research, service, and balanced (combination of all three areas). Our faculty continue to achieve distinction in each of the award areas — congratulations to all!
Jenny Chi (Art + Design), Elliott Zieman (Biological Sciences), Radu Semeniuc (Chemistry & Biochemistry), Ahmed Abou-Zaid, Assande Adom (Economics), Melissa Caldwell (English), David Viertel (Geology-Geography), Lee Patterson (History), Paul Johnston (Music), Robert Strausbaugh (Physics), Ryan Burge, Jin Hong Kim (Political Science), Margaret Floress, Steven Scher, Jeffrey Stowell, Jian Zhu (Psychology), Anna Kochigina (School of Communication & Journalism), and Larry Cox (Theatre).
One of the most prestigious honors available to EIU faculty, the Distinguished Faculty Award is presented each spring to the faculty member or department chair who best exemplifies achievement in teaching/performance of primary duties, research/creative activity, and service.
|
Joe Gisondi, a professor of Journalism at EIU, has turned the student-run newspaper, the Daily Eastern News, into one of the premier college news organizations in the country, has authored two books, regularly runs sports journalism workshops across the country, and has been named one of the most influential advisers of the last 100 years by the Associated Collegiate Press. Gisondi’s primary responsibilities at EIU revolve around supervision of student journalists who run the DEN and teaching journalism classes, with a particular, although not exclusive, focus on sports reporting. After 20 years as a working journalist, and a master’s degree from the University of Central Florida, Professor Gisondi joined the EIU faculty in 2002. He has had a profound impact on EIU students and on the EIU and Coles County community. Along the way, he found time to earn a Master’s of Fine Arts degree in creative nonfiction from Spalding University. As student media director, the student newspaper has been named the Best College Media Group for the past two years by the College Media Association among the 50-plus national honors, has won 82 awards in the Illinois College Press Association journalism competition over the past three years, including for best news website and best print edition, and has earned four nominations and one win for an Associated Collegiate Press's Pacemaker Award. Previous to EIU, his student newspapers at Valencia College in Orlando won three ACP Pacemaker Awards among four nominations and the newspaper was twice named Florida student-newspaper of the year. In part for these accomplishments, in 2022 Professor Gisondi was named to the inaugural class of the Associated Collegiate Press's “Pioneers,” presented to distinguished journalism educators and advocates who have provided exceptional leadership for collegiate media programs and made remarkable contributions to collegiate journalism. In addition to his work with students, Professor Gisondi has continued an active writing career. He has published a textbook, The Field Guide To Covering Sports, on sports reporting that is used across the country, and perhaps, most notably, a book reporting on people around the country who are actively searching for the cryptid Bigfoot. He also founded the website ColesCountySports.com, contributing prolifically to stories on the site covering the range of sports in Charleston, Mattoon, and the rest of the county. |
Dr. Nora Lee Heist is an Assistant Professor in the School of Communication and Journalism and the Basic Course Director, overseeing the general education public speaking course at Eastern. She has served as the Speaking and Listening Representative for the General Education Committee since she joined the university in Fall 2020, and as the committee chair for the 2023-2024 and 24-25 school years. She is the recipient of a 2024 DWF Collaborative Redesign Initiative grant, and has been working to make substantive revisions to the general education public speaking course to support student success and retention. Dr. Heist has also served as a Co-Chair for the Higher Learning Commission Criterion 5 Subcommittee and as a representative on Illinois Articulation Initiative’s General Education Communication Panel.
The Mendez Award is presented each fall to the EIU faculty member or department chair who best exemplifies dedication and achievement in service to the university, their profession, and the community at large.
Dr. Steven W. Daniels began teaching in the Physics Department in 1991. He earned his Ph. D. in Physics from the University of Maryland. His research has included Optics, Lasers, and Plasma Physics. He has been PI on NSF, DARPA, and DOE grants, as well as several internal grants. Dr. Daniels was the driving force for events surrounding two Solar Eclipses at EIU. He has been the President of the Charleston Rotary Club, the President and also Treasurer for the Excellence in Education Foundation which supports the local school district, the President and also Secretary of the EIU Council of Chairs, and Chair of the Physics Department for many years. Dr. Daniels has shepherded the Electrical Engineering major from its inception to the point where two classes have graduated and it is a fully functioning and vital part of the curricular offerings of EIU. He is a longtime member of the Illinois Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers executive board. He also serves on subcommittees of the American National Standards Institute which develops laser safety standards for the country. Dr. Daniels is an avid runner and has bowled on the Faculty-Staff Bowling League for over 30 years.
The Alan and Carlene Baharlou Distinguished Service is designed to recognize a member in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who has developed a record of outstanding service that supports and contributes to the teaching and research missions of the College.
Dr. Steven W. Daniels began teaching in the Physics Department in 1991. He earned his Ph. D. in Physics from the University of Maryland. His research has included Optics, Lasers, and Plasma Physics. He has been PI on NSF, DARPA, and DOE grants, as well as several internal grants. Dr. Daniels was the driving force for events surrounding two Solar Eclipses at EIU. He has been the President of the Charleston Rotary Club, the President and also Treasurer for the Excellence in Education Foundation which supports the local school district, the President and also Secretary of the EIU Council of Chairs, and Chair of the Physics Department for many years. Dr. Daniels has shepherded the Electrical Engineering major from its inception to the point where two classes have graduated and it is a fully functioning and vital part of the curricular offerings of EIU. He is a longtime member of the Illinois Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers executive board. He also serves on subcommittees of the American National Standards Institute which develops laser safety standards for the country. Dr. Daniels is an avid runner and has bowled on the Faculty-Staff Bowling League for over 30 years.
The Hanner Teaching Excellence Award is designed to celebrate and honor consistent excellence in teaching.
Samantha Tableriou, Associate Professor of Graphic Design + Typography, was chosen as the 2025 Hanner Award recipient. Samantha Tableriou is an award-winning graphic designer based in central Illinois. Samantha is versed in environmental graphic design, signage planning, creative direction, project management, and branding. Having begun her career in the museum design field with Taylor Studios, Inc., she now operates independently as Samantha Tableriou Design, creating graphics for exhibitions and experiences all over the world. In addition to creating immersive environments, Samantha teaches graphic design and typography at Eastern Illinois University within the Art + Design Department, where she equips future generations of designers with the essential skills they need to succeed in the respective field. In a world of digital abundance, Sam is passionate about working with multidisciplinary teams to create tactile, environmental, in-person experiences in which families, friends, individuals, and colleagues can learn, be moved, connect, and immerse in astonishing, unforgettable stories.
The purpose of this award is to provide faculty members in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences with assistance in the pursuit of their individual research or development activities, the presentation of special conferences or guest speakers, the development of study abroad activities, interdisciplinary programs/courses, and the advancement of technology in the classroom.
Alan Pocaro, Associate Professor of Printmaking and Foundations, is the 2025 Johnson Award recipient. Alan Pocaro was formerly adjunct faculty at both the Art Academy of Cincinnati and Miami University. Pocaro is associated with the New Aesthetics movement, an informal group of artists and writers who emphasize the physical and material nature of art. Pocaro regularly contributes art-criticism to Chicago’s New City magazine, and his writings have been featured in The New Criterion, New American Paintings, articritcal, AbstractCritical and ART PAPERS, as well as CityBeat.
The Ringenberg Award is the highest faculty honor bestowed by the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. The award is named in honor of Lawrence A. Ringenberg, the first dean of Arts and Sciences at EIU, serving from 1961-1980. In the tradition of Dr. Ringenberg, this award recognizes excellence in our academic community.
Dr. Gary Bulla, Professor of Biological Sciences, is the 2025 Ringenberg Award recipient. Dr. Bulla's research focuses on mechanisms controlling mammalian gene expression and development, especially in the liver. Three areas of interest include: 1) Activation and silencing of hepatic gene expression 2) Using whole-genome profiling to identify master regulators responsible for driving liver function and 3) identifying regulators of fibroblast identify. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.
The Lida G. Wall Faculty Research Mentor Award is an annual honor bestowed on a faculty member in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who has served as a research mentor to one or more undergraduate students during the last two years.
Paul Johnston, Professor of Jazz Studies and Jazz Piano, is the 2025 Lida Wall Award recipient. Paul Johnston has enjoyed teaching at Eastern since 2004. He directs the Jazz Lab Band, coordinates the combo program, and teaches courses in jazz piano, improvisation, and arranging. Paul remains active as a teacher, performer, and composer. He is at home in a wide variety of musical styles and has performed with artists including Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Nancy Wilson, Monica Mancini, and Bernadette Peters. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he studied at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and at Indiana University, where he earned a Master's Degree in jazz studies, a Performer Diploma in piano, and a Performer’s Certificate. Soloists, chamber groups, and jazz ensembles from across the country have performed his compositions and arrangements. Alfred Music has also published several collections of his solo piano arrangements in their Jazz Performer series. Paul served on the summer faculty at the Interlochen Center for the Arts for over a decade and continues to teach at Eastern's Summer Music Camp. He is an alumnus of Ravinia's Steans Music Institute and the Henry Mancini Institute.
The CLAS Student Deans recognize an outstanding faculty member from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences each year. The recipient is nominated by EIU student.
Dr. Kristin Routt, Professor of Spanish, is the 2025 Outstanding Faculty Award recipient. Dr. Routt, a first-generation college student, teaches all levels of Spanish language, literature, and culture, as well as a senior seminar on cultural diversity and ethnic identity in U.S. literature. Despite her completion of the pre-med sequence and her acceptance letter to medical school, she saw the light and followed her heart, deciding to study Spanish after an undergraduate study-abroad experience in Mexico. After earning her Ph.D. at Indiana University specializing in colonial Latin American literature, she lived and worked in Central America for a year before making her home at EIU in Charleston.
This award recognizes the professional activities in research and scholarship/creativity and/or service to the department, college, and campus.
Deborah Reifsteck, Senior Instructor of Fashion Merchandising, is the 2025 recipient in the area of Fine & Performing Arts. Deborah serves as the primary advisor for the Department of Art + Design. She also assists with determining coursework that may be completed abroad for EIU credit and advisement for EIU Transfer Days and Open Houses. On top of this responsibility, she is the Chairperson of the Department of Art + Design Student Affairs Committee, overseeing the scholarships and awards for the Department as well as organizing the Undergraduate Art Exhibition. Deborah is truly an essential part of the department and someone relied upon to have a positive impact on students and programs.
Jessica Tindira, Instructor of French, is the 2025 recipient in the area of Humanities. Jessica Tindira is a first-generation college graduate from Cleveland, Ohio. After college, she spent a year teaching English to French elementary school students in Strasbourg, France. She has a Master of Arts in Teaching and is always looking for opportunities to experiment with pedagogy and language immersion. Dr. Tindira also holds a PhD in French from Indiana University in Bloomington. Her favorite areas of francophone culture include women’s writing and autofiction. She has published works on these subjects in The French Review and in a collective monograph entitled Le surnaturel en littérature et au cinéma. Outside of work, Dr. Tindira enjoys crafts, exercise (especially Zumba and yoga) and theater.
Dr. Tiffany Pellizzeri, Instructor of X-ray Crystallography, is the 2025 recipient in the area of Physical Sciences. Dr. Pellizzeri earned her BS in Chemistry from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY in May 2009. During the fall semester of her senior year she studied abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark at the Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS). She performed research during the spring semester of her senior year with Dr. Larry French on aromatic, boron-containing heterocycles as potential Diels-Alder Dienophiles. She spent the summer before graduate school as a research intern at AMRI in Albany, NY under the direction of Dr. R. Jason Herr in the medicinal chemistry department. Dr. Pellizzeri earned her PhD from Syracuse University in 2013 under the direction of Dr. Jon A. Zubieta. During her time at Syracuse she studied the design and synthesis of solid state materials constructed from transition metals and diphosphonate or organoarsonate ligands. She also served as the X-Ray lab administrator and maintained the Bruker Kappa APEX Duo Single- Crystal Diffractometer. In this position she trained and coordinated graduate and undergraduate users of the instrument. She also taught general chemistry and organic chemistry labs. Following her PhD work, Dr. Pellizzeri became a postdoctoral researcher in the group of Dr. Joseph Kolis at Clemson University. Her research involved high-temperature, high-pressure synthesis of alkali and alkaline earth transition metal vanadates for potential magnetic applications. Following her postdoctoral position, Dr. Pellizzeri joined the chemistry and biochemistry faculty at Eastern Illinois University as an X-Ray Specialist.
Robert Tanner Bivens, Instructor of Political Science, is the 2025 recipient in the area of Social Sciences. Dr. Bivens (PhD, Northern Illinois University) is a scholar of international relations and comparative politics. His research interests include postcolonial theory, LGBTQ+ rights in sub-Saharan Africa, comparative regionalism, and global governance. His work has been published in outlets such as Africa Today, Pacific Affairs, and Qualitative Multi-Methods Research. He has also received awards from organizations such as the American Political Science Association (APSA). His current book project is centered on the role of identity formed in regional organizations and how that identity shapes domestic norms. At EIU, Dr. Bivens teaches courses on subjects relating to international relations, comparative politics, and public policy. This includes special topics such as the politics of developing nations, comparative regionalism, gender and sexuality, and public policy analysis.
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences recognizes an outstanding staff member who shows exemplary service in their department.
Stacy Butler, Administrative Aide in the Department of Music, is the 2025 recipient of the CLAS Outstanding Staff Award. The Music Office is quite busy and Stacy is able to attend to the needs of a large faculty, and manage score rentals, honorariums, and room reservations (which are quite frequent). In addition, the department has over 20 budget Orgs and Stacy maintains records, reconciles these accounts monthly. The Department of Music course schedule involves over 600 hours per semester, and calculating AODs for faculty is especially complicated as applied study AODs are based on student enrollment; Stacy always maintains accurate records to ensure that these important calculations are correct.
The Graduate Student Investigator (GSI) Award program was developed by the former Dean of the College of Sciences to support graduate research and to provide a forum for the presentation of superior graduate student research. The GSI program is open to students who are pursuing a degree program within CLAS.
2024 Recipients:
The SURE program fosters undergraduate research participation in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Undergraduate involvement in research with mentoring professors is a rewarding experience for students. The goal of the SURE program is to facilitate research activities and provide a forum for the presentation of undergraduate research.
2025 Recipients:
The Departments of Economics, Geology-Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology, Anthropology, & Criminology invite students to participate in the Annual Social Science Writing Awards competition. Regardless of major, undergraduate students who write research papers as a regular assignment in all social science courses may submit them for recognition.
2025 Recipients:
The Department of English, the School of Arts (Departments of Art+Design, Music, and Theatre), the Departments of World Languages & Cultures, and the Tarble Arts Center invite undergraduate students to participate in the annual Creative Works Awards competition. Regardless of major, undergraduate students who engage in creative works in the arts and humanities may submit them for recognition.
2025 Recipients:
This award is offered to students who have overcome or are facing some type of hardship that has impacted their college career.
2025 Recipient:
This award is offered to student workers with exemplary service in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
2025 Recipients:
Congratulations to this year's CLAS scholarship recipients! Thirty-six students were selected to receive a total of over $35,100 in scholarship awards.
William E. Adams Memorial Scholarship
Noah Wilson, Sophomore, Criminology/Criminal Justice, Pre-Law Studies Minor
Eulalee Anderson & Caroline Pennel Scholarship
Anthony Aya, Sophomore, Chemistry, Engineering Physics
Elisha & Estella Baumgartner Scholarship
Kaylan Finley, Sophomore, History Teacher Education
Madison Veatch, Sophomore, Political Science
Samantha Waggoner, Sophomore, Criminology/Criminal Justice, Sociology
Edith Breving Annual Scholarship
Caleb Brasker, Junior, Spanish Teacher Education, Spanish & Hispanic Studies
Mary Jane Coartney Memorial Creative Writing Scholarship
Sydney Quick, Junior, English
Savannah Harris, Junior, English
Ophelia Klein, Junior, English Language Arts
G.B. Dudley Memorial Scholarship
Faith Nuss, Senior, Biological Sciences
Joshua Ruiz, Junior, Engineering Physics
Ann Frommel Memorial Scholarship
Brook Ozier, Senior, Biological Sciences
Louise (Tym) Honnold & Martha (Tym) Johnson Scholarship
Allison Nichols, Senior, English Language Arts
Tricia & Greg Johnson Sciences Scholarship
Hiep Nguyen, Junior, Math Teacher Education
James Jones Fund for the Study of Experience of War in History, Literature, Theatre, Film, and Music
Pamela Zimmerman, Graduate, English
Daniel Carpenter, Senior, History
Jason Farias, Senior, History Teacher Education
Margaret and Walter Lowell Voluntary Service Scholarship
Cassandra Martin, Senior, Science Teacher Education Biology
Patricia Stal Markowski Science Scholarship
Kayla Montemayor, Senior, Environmental Biology
Ron & Carol Jean (McHenry) Martin Communication & Theatre Scholarship
Ethan Vice, Sophomore, Theatre
S.L. Nanda Mathematics & Science Scholarship
Paul Eckert, Freshman, Environmental Biology
Jonathan Hoferer, Freshman, Biochemistry
Malik Perry, Freshman, Electrical Engineering
Alex Wang, Freshman, Electrical Engineering
Orndoff/LeDuc Scholarship
Elizabeth Stock, Sophomore, Biological Sciences
Gunner Wilson, Senior, Mathematics
Anthony Aya, Sophomore, Chemistry, Engineering Physics
Reta & Mark Pafford Scholarship
Cela Kupferer, Senior, Biological Sciences
Morgann Kellum, Junior, Psychology
Al & Vesta Rundle Scholarship
Karina Warfel, Sophomore, Studio Art, Spanish & Hispanic Studies
Martin O. Schahrer Scholarship
Geneieve Biberdorf, Junior, Biochemistry
Gerardo J. Solis Latino/Latina Scholarship
Brianna Rios, Sophomore, Communication Disorders & Sciences
Carlos Rodriguez, Sophomore, Psychology
Murray & Sallie Walters Scholarship
Megan Jankowski, Senior, Science Teacher Education Biology
Lewis T. White Memorial Scholarship
Ella Lugar, Junior, Psychology
Eastern Illinois University
2210 Doudna Fine Arts Center
217-581-2922
