Awards and Recognition

The U.S. Department of State recently presented the University of Minnesota with the English Language Specialist Top Producing Institution Award during the 2024 TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) International Convention. The award was presented to the University of Minnesota for sending the largest number of English Language Specialists selected for the 2023 calendar year and advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives and educational exchange.

Three educators at the University of Minnesota were selected as specialists in 2023:

• Martha Bigelow - College of Education and Human Development (CEHD)
• Stephanie Hansen - College of Continuing and Professional Studies (CCAPS)
• Catherine Clements - senior teaching specialist with MELP, CCAPS; PhD candidate, CEHD

Stephanie Hooker is quoted in an MPR News story about the loneliness epidemic and how we can build connections; Jeff Ettinger and Kathy Schmidlkofer are quoted in the Twin Cities Business story “The MIX to Make its Mark on Stadium Village; Jill Hasday is quoted in a New York Times story about a potential change in a New York adultery law; Yi-Mei Yang is quoted in the WIRED story “Scientists are unlocking the secrets of your ‘little brain';” Aiden Bettine is interviewed at MPR News about a new exhibit showcasing letters that the LGBTQ+ community used to connect from 1950s to today; Angie Fertig is quoted in a Minnpost story about the rising wealth gap in Minnesota; Bill Doherty is interviewed in an MPR News story about the roots of political polarization; William Northrop is interviewed at CBS Minnesota about a Minnesota logistics company testing electric semis; Amy Rager is quoted at Inforum about what to keep in mind if you go foraging.

After a highly competitive and rigorous process, the National Cancer Institute has renewed its designation of the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center (MCC) as an “Outstanding” comprehensive cancer center, providing MCC a total of $20.4 million over the next five years. This is the sixth consecutive designation awarded to MCC. In its renewal notice, the NCI cited MCC for its role in streamlining high-impact clinical trials while also deepening important community partnerships throughout Minnesota.

Four University of Minnesota faculty were recently inducted into the National Academies of Practice (NAP). The honor acknowledges their outstanding achievements and recognizes them as leaders in their professions. The following Class of 2024 honorees were welcomed into the NAP at an awards and induction ceremony on March 16:

• Bradley Benson, professor, Medical School
• Sherry Chesak, clinical professor, School of Nursing
• Dorcas Kunkel, clinical associate professor, School of Nursing
• Sara North, associate professor, Medical School

University of Minnesota Morris English professor Michael Lackey is one of five scholars from across the United States to be invited to lecture and work at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz as part of the Obama Fellowship program. Through the program, the Obama Institute for Transnational American Studies invites outstanding international scholars to lecture and work at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. Lackey will present a lecture for graduate students: “Moses Biofictions as Critiques of Nazism: Zora Neale Hurston and Thomas Mann,” at the Obama Institute on May 13. Lackey will also spend a month at the institute to continue his research on anti-Nazi biofictions from the 1930s and 1940s. Learn more about Lackey’s work.

Professor Samuel Myers Jr. has been named the inaugural Rebecca Blank Fellow by the American Academy of Political and Social Sciences (AAPSS). The AAPSS recognizes the contributions he has made to the advancement of social science and to public understanding of the human condition. An induction ceremony is planned for the fall.

Demetris Yannopoulos and Jason Bartos are quoted in the New York Times feature “The Race to Reinvent CPR;” Juan Del Toro is quoted in a USA Today story about school discipline and racial disparity; Jon Hallberg is interviewed at MPR News about what’s causing a generational divide in happiness; Jason Hill is quoted in The Guardian about a study showing that plant-heavy ‘flexitarian' diets could help limit global warming; Christopher Phelan is quoted in a CNN story about what Baltimore could learn from how Minneapolis recovered from its I-35W bridge collapse 17 years ago; Lee Frelich is interviewed in the KARE 11 story “Winter storm brings Minnesota drought relief;” Katherine Scheil is interviewed in MPR News about Shakespeare’s enduring appeal as the Guthrie prepares to open three of his plays; Ayanna Rakhu is interviewed in MPR News about why pilates, yoga, barre, and ‘functional fitness’ are having a moment; Ezra Golberstein is quoted in a Sahan Journal story about how all Minnesota public-school students can access free mental-health care; Emily Fairfax is quoted in a Los Angeles Times story about how beavers can help stop wildfires, and places in California that are embracing them.

Congratulations to U of M researchers who were issued 98 U.S. patents for their discoveries in 2023. Receiving a patent is an intellectual achievement for any researcher and a key commercialization milestone. A patent allows a discovery to be shared with the rest of the world and advances innovation in and across important fields and industries, including health care, the environment, education, and food production.  

Alexandre Ardichvili, professor and Hellervik Chair in Leadership and Adult Career Development in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development, was recently inducted into the Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD) Hall of Fame. This honor is bestowed on scholars in human resource development and related disciplines who have made enduring contributions to the academy’s mission of leading human resource development through research.

Nelson Rhodus was recently inducted as a fellow into the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, a network of over 25,000 working professionals in 100 different countries that provides fellows with professional accreditation. Rhodus is a Distinguished Professor and director of the Division of Oral Medicine, Oral Diagnosis and Radiology in the Department of Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences in the School of Dentistry. He has been awarded "Faculty of the Year" for thirteen consecutive years and is active in basic and clinical research with oral manifestations of systemic disease and chronic degenerative autoimmune diseases.