Faculty members receive annual awards

Fifteen University of the Incarnate Word faculty members received annual awards associated with the mission, teaching, leadership, and service-learning Monday, May 6, at a reception in the SEC Ballroom.

Five professors got individual “Mission Continues” awards named after members of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, founders of the university. The awards recognize them for their “commitment to promoting the Mission and supporting the ministry of the University in an outstanding manner.”

The “Mission Continues” awards and recipients included:

Sister Margaret Rose Palmer Award for Education: Dr. Sean Viña, an assistant professor of sociology in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, was cited for engaging “students in the learning process.” His nominator wrote: “In his classes, students embark on a transformative journey to address the stigma attached to issues such as race and inequality, gender issues, immigration, and especially, mental illness.”

Sister St. Pierre Cinquin Award for Faith: Dr. Stephanie Schmiedecki Barbieri, a professor in Rosenberg School of Optometry, for being “committed to educational excellence in the context of faith and fosters the values of the University.” Colleagues called her an “outstanding team player who genuinely cares for those around her, with her faith serving as a prominent, inspiring, and fulfilling presence in her daily life.”

Sister Maria Goretti Zehr Award for Innovation: Dr. Timothy Griesdorn, an associate professor in the H-E-B School of Business and Administration, for “being open to thoughtful innovation which serves material and spiritual need.” By using game elements, Griesdorn has “transformed one typically complex topic – as in finance – into an enjoyable and fun class,” his nominator wrote.

Sister Eleanor Ann Young Award for Truth: Dr. Yutaka Maki, an associate professor in Rosenberg School, for being someone “who searches for and seeks truth in scholarship and in the classroom.” Besides organizing and leading several optometry mission trips to Central and South American countries, Maki “is focused on relationships and investing in others’ growth and development,” his nominator wrote.

Mother Columkille Colbert Award for Service: Dr. Matt Walk, an associate professor in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences (formerly the School of Physical Therapy), for one “who embraces a global perspective and emphasizes social justice.” He’s thoroughly committed to the annual mission to Oaxaca, Mexico, which brings together students and faculty from UIW’s health professionals schools and provides multidisciplinary health services to underserved communities in Mexico, a nominator wrote.

Recipients of other major faculty awards – including their stipends or budget allotted for business-related expenses -- included:

Robert J. Connelly Faculty Leadership Award: Dr. Elda Martinez, a professor in the Dreeben School of Education. This award, which carries a $1,000 business account, is given to a tenured faculty member with 15 or more years of experience at UIW who is regarded as “an exemplary leader of faculty as demonstrated by leadership, service, mentoring, and peer counseling.”

Edward Zlotkowski Faculty Service-Learning Award: Dr. Patrick Muehlberger, an assistant professor in the School of Osteopathic Medicine. This award, which includes a $500 stipend, recognizes a faculty member “for innovations in engaged scholarship that integrate service into the curriculum and for efforts to institutionalize service-learning in his/her discipline, school, or college, and the university.” Muehlberger has been a leader in a “street medicine” program.

Moody Professor Award: Dr. Jakob Rinderknecht received the highest faculty honor bestowed at UIW, which is given to a senior faculty member for teaching excellence, scholarship, and community service. Rinderknecht is director of the Honors Program at UIW and an associate professor of religious studies in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. As the winner of the Moody Award, Rinderknecht gets a $3,000 stipend and $2,000 business account to fulfill his duties. He’ll also lead the processional at fall 2024 and spring 2025 commencement with the University Mace, speak at fall commencement, and deliver public lectures next spring at UIW and Our Lady of the Lake University.

In a news release, Rinderknecht describes his role in the classroom as that of a coach for the students.

“I can help them to become better at a set of skills including writing, reading well, and thinking and speaking about the role of religion – especially Catholicism – in the contemporary world,” Rinderknecht said. “My classroom is a place where they have the chance to practice those skills before going out from UIW, but I can’t make them learn. I really love seeing how students who are willing to think along with me and who put in the work, grow. And I’m here to help every student learn how to be a better student, which is a big part of what it means to teach in the core.”

As for being named the Moody Professor, Rinderknecht, who started at UIW in 2016, said it is an honor to be recognized by his peers.

“I know that I’m joining a cohort of UIW’s excellent teacher-scholars reaching back decades in this role. And I’m excited about the opportunity to speak at graduation this coming December, especially since quite a few of the honors students who started at the university with me during the various COVID pivots, will be graduating.”

Minnie Stevens Piper Award UIW Nominee: Dr. Doshie Piper, an associate professor of criminal justice in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. Piper has an opportunity to win $5,000 should she win one of 10 Piper Awards given annually across the state, but at UIW she has access to a $1,000 business account.

Provost Legacy Teaching Awards: The four winners – all nominees for the Presidential Teaching Award -- include Dr. Arunabh Bhattacharya, an associate professor in the Department of Applied Biomedical Sciences for the School of Osteopathic Medicine; Dr. Delia Meyer, an associate professor of rehabilitative science in the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions; Adam Nash, an associate professor of interior design in the School of Media and Design; and Dr. Joanna Soles, an associate professor of athletic training in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences. All four received a $500 stipend.

Kathleen Light Award for Outstanding Faculty: Dr. Tanja Stampfl, a professor of English in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. This award, which includes a $1,000 stipend, recognizes a senior faculty member whose teaching “exemplifies the role of teacher as mentor, providing innovation in the classroom and exhibiting teaching excellence, while showing personal concern for the student.”

Presidential Teaching Award: Dr. Teresa Taylor-Partridge, an associate professor of psychology in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. This annual award, which includes a $5,000 stipend, acknowledges “an individual who exemplifies excellence in teaching that leads to student engagement.”