Eight faculty members and lecturers in the College of Arts and Sciences have received teaching and service awards from The Ohio State University. They were surprised with the recognitions during classes and faculty meetings during March and April 2024. Congratulations to all of them on their excellent accomplishments!

Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer

Julia M. Applegate

Senior Lecturer, Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies

“Julia Applegate is a stellar lecturer; she cares deeply for her students, community and courses. She is one of a kind, and her class is one of the most engaging and thought-provoking classes I have ever had the opportunity to take here at Ohio State.” - student nominator

Dawn M. Starr

Senior Lecturer, Department of Philosophy, The Ohio State University at Lima

“It was clear from the nomination materials that Dawn is deeply committed to furthering teaching excellence and creating an inclusive classroom environment where all students can succeed. She exemplifies the best qualities of teaching faculty at Ohio State, and I congratulate her on receiving this well-deserved award.” - Vice Provost for Academic Policy and Faculty Resources Helen Malone

Amy Tibbals

Senior Lecturer, Department of English, The Ohio State University at Marion

“That Amy received this distinguished award for outstanding teaching should be no surprise to her students or her colleagues in Marion. She brings innovation and care to her teaching, perhaps most visibly (but not exclusively) through the Pay It Forward program, which engages her students with the community in unique ways. Through her work at the Writing Center, she not only helps students improve their communication skills but also pays attention to their overall well-being as persons. Faculty like Amy are hard to come by, and we are lucky to have her among our many excellent lecturers and senior lecturers.” - Ohio State Marion Dean and Director Gregory Rose

Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching

Frances Sivakoff

Assistant Professor, Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University at Marion

“Professor Sivakoff is what I like to call an educator of a lifetime. She is a role model to all her students and genuinely cares about every one of them. She is also the professor who made me realize that I can do anything I set my mind. I consider myself lucky to have had her as my professor because she not only taught me the content that I needed to learn for my degree, but she also taught me that the sky is the limit.” - alumni nominator

Mary Sterenberg

Assistant Professor of Practice, School of Communication

“Mary takes every opportunity to prepare her students for their professional careers. Mary is an exceptional teacher. Her classes are rigorous, innovative and compelling, and her leadership outside the classroom provides students with unparalleled learning opportunities. I enthusiastically support her consideration for this award.” - Director of the School of Communication Kelly Garrett

President and Provost's Award for Distinguished Faculty Service

Eric Bielefeld

Professor and Chair, Department of Speech and Hearing Science

“The substance of Eric’s work, both quantity and quality and its impact, are in a league of their own. This is not overstatement. The university is better because of it, and his contributions will be long-lasting.” - Vice Provost for Academic Programs Randy Smith

Elizabeth Hewitt

Professor, Department of English

“Beth is a distinguished example of a colleague who brings to this work not only an abiding commitment to equity but also the wisdom and expertise of all of her other roles.” - Department of English Chair Susan Williams

Christopher Jaroniec

Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

“Chris is a remarkably committed and generous university citizen, and a model for others to emulate. In particular, Chris helped steer the university safely but boldly back from the COVID-19 pandemic, guided by principles that have infused all of his service to the institution and the profession.” - College of Arts and Sciences Dean David Horn