2024-25 University Teaching Awards Announced

NC State honored more than 40 faculty for their commitment to educational excellence.

April 24, 2025 Emily Packard 4-min. read

NC State has honored more than 40 faculty for their commitment to educational excellence with the 2024-25 University Teaching Awards. Award recipients were recognized at a University Teaching Awards Luncheon and Ceremony on Thursday, April 17, at the StateView Hotel.

Clyde Sorenson, a professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, received the University of North Carolina Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching, the most prestigious award given to faculty for teaching excellence. In 1993, the UNC Board of Governors established the award to underscore the importance of teaching and to encourage, identify, recognize, reward and support good teaching within the UNC university system. Each college may nominate two candidates (one tenured and one professional track faculty member) for this award, with one candidate selected as NC State’s winner.

Sorenson will be recognized at NC State’s spring commencement exercises. The NC State Memorial Belltower will also be lit red in his honor at a time of his choosing.

Also nominated for the award were:

Mark Beasley, Alan T. Dickson Distinguished Professor, Department of Accounting
Mathew Gerard, teaching professor, Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences
Douglas Irving,professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Shevaun D. Neupert, professor, Department of Psychology
Sara Glee Queen, associate professor, School of Architecture
Kay Sandberg, teaching professor, Department of Chemistry
Margaret Scaturro Heil, lecturer, Department of Computer Science
Katie Sheats, associate professor, Department of Clinical Sciences
D. Scott Showalter, professor of the practice, Department of Accounting
Julianne Treme, teaching professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

The Research PackTrack Program – A High-Impact Experience for Authentic Research was the winner of the Provost’s Award for High-Impact Experiential Learning. The program is administered by Miriam Ferzli, teaching professor, Lisa Paciulli, senior lecturer, and Pat Estes, associate research professor, all of the Department of Biological Sciences. The Provost’s Award for High-Impact Experiential Learning recognizes excellence in the development, delivery, accessibility and outcomes of high-impact and interdisciplinary experiences that engage students, including undergraduate, graduate and professional populations.

An honorable mention was awarded to the NC State Biotechnology (BIT) Program. The program is led by Robert Kelly, Alcoa Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and includes Carlos Goller, teaching professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Melissa Srougi, associate teaching professor in the Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, and Stefanie Chen, associate teaching professor in the Department of Biological Sciences.

The Gertrude Cox Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching and Learning with Technology was presented to:

Ignacio X. Domínguez, assistant teaching professor, Department of Computer Science

The award, first given in 2002, honors the creative pedagogy of NC State’s faculty and their work in integrating new technologies into effective teaching strategies. Gertrude Cox, “The First Lady of Statistics” and the award’s namesake, came to NC State in 1940 to establish the university’s distinguished Department of Statistics.

The Outstanding Teacher Award was presented to the following faculty members:

Paul Broyles, senior lecturer, Department of English
Doug Call, associate professor, Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
Lisa Falk, associate teaching professor, Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Jodi Forrester, associate professor, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
Nathan Goldman, associate professor, Department of Accounting
Dana Gulling, professor, School of Architecture
Renee Harrington, associate teaching professor, Department of Health and Exercise Studies
Jason King, associate teaching professor, Department of Computer Science
Joy Morgan, associate professor, Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences
Matt Reynolds, assistant teaching professor, Department of STEM Education
Julieta Trevino Sherk, professor, Department of Horticulture Science
Devorah Stowe, associate clinical professor, Department of Population Health and Pathobiology
Aaron Titus, teaching professor, Department of Physics
Steven S. Welton, teaching professor, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
Janie Woodbridge, assistant professor, Department of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management
Intae Yoon, associate professor, School of Social Work

The award recognizes excellence in teaching at all levels. Faculty must receive the Outstanding Teacher Award in order to be eligible for the Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Award. Recipients of the Outstanding Teacher Award become members of the Academy of Outstanding Teachers for as long as they remain NC State faculty.

The Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Award was presented to the following faculty members:

Kimberly Ange-van Heugten, teaching associate professor, Department of Animal Science
Casey Dietrich, professor, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering College of Engineering
Carlos Goller, teaching professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Anne Collins McLaughlin, professor, Department of Psychology
Lokendra Pal, professor, Department of Forest Biomaterials
Lynn Worley-Davis, teaching associate professor, Prestage Department of Poultry Science

The award, sponsored by the NC State Alumni Association, is one of the most prestigious awards to recognize undergraduate-level teaching given on campus. Up to six recipients will receive this recognition each year and retain their title for the duration of their career as an NC State faculty member. Each recipient will receive a cash award.

The Alumni Distinguished Graduate Professor Award was presented to the following faculty members:

Marc A. Cubeta, professor, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
Ola Harrysson, Edward P. Fitts Distinguished Professor, Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Steve McDonald, professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Kailash Misra, professor, Department of Mathematics
Nils Peterson, professor, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources

The award, sponsored by the NC State Alumni Association, is one of the most prestigious awards to recognize graduate-level teaching given on campus. Up to five recipients will receive this recognition each year and retain their title for the duration of their career as an NC State faculty member. Each recipient will receive a cash award.

1/2