Learn more about recent honors, appointments and publications at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in this week’s achievements column.

Honors

• Wayne Babchuk, associate professor of practice in the Department of Educational Psychology, has received the 2020 McGraw Hill Distinguished Scholar Award from the Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Conference. Babchuk was selected for the honor based on quality of peer-reviewed publications, papers presented at national research conferences and scholarly contributions made in academia.

• Kiya Fife, graduate student in the Glenn Korff School of Music, was named the winner of two categories of the international Great Composers Competition. Fife entered vocal submissions for “The Music of Mediterranean Europe” and “The Music of Germany and Austria” with the help of GKSOM composer Michael Cotton.

• Charlie Francis, senior director of housing and dining services, received an Emeritus Award from the Association of College Unions International. The award is presented to professionals for their leadership and dedication to serving students and advancing campus community through their careers in the college union and student activities field.

• Saravanan Raju, research scientist in computer science and engineering, was awarded the College of Arts and Sciences’ Engagement Award. The award recognizes people or units involved in exemplary engagement activities that have an impact beyond the university.

• Salvador Ramirez, doctoral candidate in soil and water sciences, was honored with a Holling Family Teaching Assistant Teaching Excellence Award March 11 at the Nebraska East Union. The award recognizes students who are currently in graduate degree programs under the supervision of Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources faculty members and emphasizes imaginative and creative teaching efforts in carrying out IANR educational programs.

• Elizabeth Theiss-Morse, Willa Cather Professor of political science, was honored this semester with the James O’Hanlon Academic Leader Award from the College of Arts and Sciences. The award honors an academic leader who has demonstrated exceptional abilities in leading, serving, inspiring and collaborating on the academic goals of the university.

• The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Crops Judging Team placed third in the four-year division at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Collegiate Crops Contest March 7 in Curtis, Nebraska. The spring team included agronomy majors Jared Stander, Justin Zoucha, Korbin Kudera, Sarina Janssen, Jacob Vallery, Katie Jo Steffen and coach Adam Striegel.

• Taylor Sijan, a second-year graduate student in ceramics, along with incoming graduate student Andy Bissonnette, are among 20 ceramic artists nationwide chosen as 2020 Emerging Artists by Ceramics Monthly magazine. The students were chosen for the honor out of more than 300 submissions.

Appointments

• Larry Gossen, Nebraska State FFA adviser and longtime leader in the field of agricultural education, has been selected as the next dean of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska. Gossen will succeed Ron Rosati, who retired in August of 2019 after six years at the college. Kelly Bruns, director of the West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte, has served as interim dean.

This column is a regular feature of Nebraska Today. Faculty, staff and students can submit achievements to be considered for this column via email to achievements@unl.edu. For more information, call 402-472-8515.