Annual Spring Awards Celebration
Ohio University Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ College of Engineering and Technology Annual Spring Awards Celebration
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Ohio University | Nelson Commons
6-6:30 p.m. Cocktails
6:30-7:15 p.m. Buffet Dinner
7:15-8:30 p.m. Awards Program
Welcome and Introductions
Dr. Patrick Fox
Dean, Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Outstanding Employee Awards
This is the 24th awarding of the Russ College’s Outstanding Administrative, Technical and Classified Employee Awards. The awards recognize employees who are nominated by Russ College colleagues for outstanding, results-based performance.
- Classified: Stephanie Walker
- Technical: Scott Teter
- Administrative: Lisa Fauber
Faculty Awards
Marvin E. and Ann D. White Awards
- Departmental Research Awards
ChBE: Srdjan Nesic
Civil: Shad Sargand
EE & Computer Science: Sabrina Ugazio
ETM: Yuqiu You
ISE: Felipe Aros-Vera
ME: Muhammad Ali - Departmental Teaching Awards
Aviation: George Armann
ChBE: Valerie Young
Civil: Daniel Che
EE & Computer Science: Patricia Lindner
ETM: Curtis Cohenour
ISE: Zhaohui Geng
ME: Robert Williams
Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Awards
- Russ Outstanding Research Paper Award: Avinash Karanth
- Russ Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award: Deb McAvoy
- Russ Outstanding Undergraduate Instructional Faculty Teaching Award: George Armann
Russ College Distinguished Graduate
Cynthia Calhoun (BSEE ’88) has been inducted into the Russ College Academy of Distinguished Graduates, the highest honor the college bestows on its alumni. She currently serves as the acting director of the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. Cynthia has received numerous NASA awards such as the Federal Women's Program Award; Diversity Leadership Award; Mission Manager's Flight Commendation; Exceptional Service Medal for Software Engineering; EEO Medal; and the Administrator's Gears of Government Initiative Award, the highest award given by NASA. At OHIO, Cynthia is a member of the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Russ College Board of Visitors. She has also served on leadership positions with other organizations, including Kids in Flight, Inc. and the International Women's Air & Space Museum. Cynthia joins a group of 44 other members of Distinguished Graduates who have been recognized for their career and lifetime achievements.
About the Awards
Outstanding Employee Awards
This is the 24th awarding of the Russ College’s Outstanding Administrative, Technical and Classified Employee Awards. The awards recognize employees who are nominated by Russ College colleagues for outstanding, results-based performance.
Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Awards
In 1981, Fritz Russ, BSEE ’42, HON ’75, and his wife, Dolores, generously established an endowment that has since then supported two awards, for research and teaching, to be presented annually by the Russ College of Engineering and Technology. Since that time, a new instructional faculty award has been created as well.
Russ Outstanding Research Paper Award
The Russ Outstanding Research Paper Award recognizes excellence in research and scholarship exhibited by the faculty of Russ College. Papers published in refereed journals are submitted for review. An ad hoc committee consisting of previous award recipients reviews and ranks the papers. In the case of co-authors, only Russ College faculty and staff authors are listed.
Russ Outstanding Undergraduate Tenure-Track Faculty Teaching Award
The Russ Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award recognizes the efforts of the faculty to provide Russ College students with out standing teaching and advising. Nominees are selected based on student teaching evaluations, and the recipient of the award is selected by members of the Engineering Ambassadors based on interviews.
Russ Outstanding Undergraduate Instructional Faculty Teaching Award
The Instructional Faculty Russ Teaching Award recognizes a faculty member whose position is to teach up to four courses per semester, as well as to advise student groups. These positions differ from the tenured/tenure-track faculty role, and therefore should be recognized separately for their service to teaching and student group advising.