Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards
CSU’s faculty and staff are second to none! Each year, Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards honor individuals who bring distinction to the University and support student success through their day-to-day efforts.
Distinguished Faculty Awards are presented in three categories — research, service and teaching. The distinguished research award honors those whose research or creative work has been recognized in the scholarly or creative community as exceptional; the distinguished service award honors those whose service within and/or outside the University has been exceptional; and the distinguished teaching award honors those whose teaching is recognized as exceptionally strong. In addition, a Provost’s Lecturer Teaching Award is presented.
The highest faculty honor, the Dr. Jennie S. Hwang Award, recognizes faculty members who bring regional, national and international recognition to the University through exceptional achievements in teaching, research and service. Recipients are chosen from each year’s Distinguished Faculty Award honorees.
Dr. Hwang is a former member of the CSU Foundation Board of Directors and an entrepreneur and corporate executive. She established the award in 2002.
Congratulations to the 2018 and 2019 Distinguished Staff Award winners:
Toni Jones
University Law Enforcement Officer, Police Department
Sandra Justin
Office Coordinator, College of Sciences and Health Professions
Rosalyn Adams
Administrative Coordinator, Curriculum and Foundations, College of Education and Human Services
Sarah Henley
Secretary, CASAL, College of Education and Human Services
Congratulations to the 2018 and 2019 Distinguished Faculty Award winners:
Research:
Hanz Richter
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Washkewicz College of Engineering
Milena Sterio
Charles R. Emerick Jr. — Calfee Halter and Griswold Professor of Law, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Moo-Yeal Lee
Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Washkewicz College of Engineering
Patricia Stoddard Dare
Professor of Social Work, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Service:
Tachelle Banks
Associate Dean and Professor of Teacher Education, College of Education and Human Services
Adam Sonstegard
Professor of English, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Crystal Weyman
Chair and Professor of Biology, Geology and Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions
Jonathan Witmer-Rich
Associate Dean and Joseph C. Hostetler — Baker Hostetler Professor of Law, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Teaching:
Lili Dong
Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Washkewicz College of Engineering
Ann Reinthal
Associate Professor of Health Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions
David Anderson
Professor of Chemistry, College of Sciences and Health Professions
Nolan Holland
Professor and Interim Chair, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Washkewicz College of Engineering
Dr. Jennie S. Hwang Award:
Ann Reinthal and Crystal Weyman
Provost’s Lecturer Teaching Award:
Carolyn Broering-Jacobs
Associate Dean for Administration and Clinical Professor of Law, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Marnie Rodriguez
Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Anthropology and Sociology, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Linda Quinn
Professor of Practice in Mathematics, College of Sciences and Health Professions
Congratulations to the 2018 and 2019 Distinguished Faculty Award winners:
Research:
Hanz Richter
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Washkewicz College of Engineering
Milena Sterio
Charles R. Emerick Jr. — Calfee Halter and Griswold Professor of Law, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Moo-Yeal Lee
Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Washkewicz College of Engineering
Patricia Stoddard Dare
Professor of Social Work, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Service:
Tachelle Banks
Associate Dean and Professor of Teacher Education, College of Education and Human Services
Adam Sonstegard
Professor of English, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Crystal Weyman
Chair and Professor of Biology, Geology and Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions
Jonathan Witmer-Rich
Associate Dean and Joseph C. Hostetler — Baker Hostetler Professor of Law, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Teaching:
Lili Dong
Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Washkewicz College of Engineering
Ann Reinthal
Associate Professor of Health Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions
David Anderson
Professor of Chemistry, College of Sciences and Health Professions
Nolan Holland
Professor and Interim Chair, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Washkewicz College of Engineering
Dr. Jennie S. Hwang Award:
Ann Reinthal and Crystal Weyman
Provost’s Lecturer Teaching Award:
Carolyn Broering-Jacobs
Associate Dean for Administration and Clinical Professor of Law, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Marnie Rodriguez
Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Anthropology and Sociology, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Linda Quinn
Professor of Practice in Mathematics, College of Sciences and Health Professions
Chang Selected for Class of Leadership Music
Angelin Chang, Grammy-winning pianist, CSU professor of music and law, and alumna (JD ’08), was selected to participate in the 2020 class of Leadership Music. The prestigious program brings together artists and music industry executives from across the country for a yearlong intensive training seminar in leadership, innovation and creative thinking.
Dr. Chang was one of 49 individuals selected for the 2020 class. Leadership Music was founded in 1989 to further communication and understanding in the entertainment business and to assist established leaders in their roles as decision-makers.
Notable Women in Education
Five members of the CSU community were included in Crain’s Cleveland Business’ list of Notable Women in Education for 2019.
Congratulations to: Gina Huffman, assistant director of admissions for the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law; Anne Nelson, assistant dean of student services at the Monte Ahuja College of Business; Crystal Weyman, professor and chair of the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences in the College of Sciences and Health Professions; and alums Heather Kama-Starr and Joelle Magyar.
Kama-Starr earned a master of education in 2006 and was assistant principal, Manufacturing and Construction Academy leader at Max S. Hayes High School until returning to her early childhood education roots this fall.
Magyar earned a master of education in school administration in 1998 and is now the superintendent of the Brecksville-Broadview Heights School District.
Individuals were nominated by community members and then reviewed by Crain’s editorial staff.
Also in This Issue...
Addressing Food Insecurities Among Students
According to the College & University Food Bank Alliance, 36 percent of college students experience food insecurity while nine percent are homeless.
Making Food Safer
In a chemical engineering laboratory in the heart of Fenn Hall, a team of mathematics and engineering students and faculty begin an expirement that could enhance food safety.
Alumna Finds Success as Chef, Restaurateur
From Ukrainian immigrant to celebrated chef, Natasha Pogrebinsky (BA ’05) turned passion into purpose — opening acclaimed restaurants and sharing her heritage through food and national TV features.
Making Great Kraut
Drew Anderson (BBA ’09) turned his love for homemade sauerkraut into Cleveland Kraut, sold in 3,500+ stores with inventive flavors and national acclaim — proving fermentation can be bold and local.
Community Roots
Sam McNulty (BA ’97) launched his hospitality career at CSU and now runs top Ohio City bars and Market Garden Brewery. He’s also redeveloping Duck Island, connecting Cleveland neighborhoods.
Global Agriculture Grows the World
Charlotte Sine graduated from Fenn College in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in English. That degree served her well during a 46-year career in various editorial positions at Meister Media Worldwide.
A Message from the President
President Harlan M. Sands marks his first year, spotlighting CSU’s student-centered achievements: Say Yes scholarships, new partnerships, global outreach, and seven strategic priorities forward together.
Love Letter to Cleveland
A 58‑ft mural by Gary and Laura Dumm now graces CSU’s Michael Schwartz Library, celebrating local landmarks and history, funded by community and tied to Cleveland Memory Project.
CSU Among Nation’s Best
Cleveland State has once again been selected by The Wall Street Journal as one of the best universities in the United States.
C|M|LAW Hall of Fame
The Cleveland-Marshall Law Hall of Fame was established in 2017 to honor alumni, faculty, staff, friends and community leaders who have contributed to the success and prestige of the law school.
Increasing Degree Attainment
CSU is part of a statewide partnership, led by College Now Greater Cleveland, selected to join Degrees When Due. This national initiative seeks to assist students who have some college credits to complete their degrees.
Sands Shares Plans for Year Two
Seven new initiatives, including a Forward Together Innovation Challenge, were announced as part of President Harlan Sands’ first State of the University address.
New Leaders Join Team CSU
Three highly regarded, results-driven individuals have joined the University’s leadership team.
LCC Joins Enhanced Transfer Partnership
Cleveland State University has created a series of innovative partnerships with local community colleges which are designed to create a comprehensive, assistive pathway for students to make the easy transition to Cleveland State.
Parker Hannifin Students Live and Learn
In early 2019, Cleveland became the fourth Say Yes to Education chapter in the nation, thereby making college free for virtually all Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) graduates.
Pooling Their Knowledge
CSU partnered with the Seven Hills Recreation Center to improve sensory processing and socialization for children with special needs through a pediatric aquatic therapy program.
Research Highlights
CSU researchers tackle big challenges —f rom AI-driven fertility analysis and trauma-informed youth programs to brain aneurysm prevention using nanoparticles — fueling innovation across disciplines.
Leave a Legacy with Estate Plan
Alumna Virginia McFrederick loved libraries. And because she included CSU in her estate plan, the Michael Schwartz Library is now home to the Virginia McFrederick Group Study Center.
Getting Real About Property Management
Cleveland State University will expand innovative education, research and experiential learning in real estate and property management, thanks to a transformative $1.2 million gift from the NRP Group and the Millennia Companies.
Creating Community Through the Arts
Gina Vernaci had spent nearly four decades as a theater manager and administrator and was in the middle of a highly successful tenure at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square when a lunchtime walk changed her educational and professional path.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
CSU is Viking Strong with a worldwide network of 130,000-plus alumni. Each year, a select group who bring distinction to the University through their career achievements, service and engagement are honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards.
From Fixing Cars to Fixing Bodies
Alumnus sees medicine as a vehicle for improving the community
Alumni Adventures
From behind-the-scenes visits to well-known (and little-known) Cleveland sites to world tours, the CSU Alumni Association’s calendar of events has something for everyone.
Homecoming Memories
A people-powered parade, golden apples, a harvest picnic, reunions, dedications, awards . . . Homecoming 2019 was packed with activities that brought alumni and their families back to campus.
Class Notes – Winter 2020
Addressing Food Insecurities Among Students
According to the College & University Food Bank Alliance, 36 percent of college students experience food insecurity while nine percent are homeless.
Alumna Finds Success as Chef, Restaurateur
From Ukrainian immigrant to celebrated chef, Natasha Pogrebinsky (BA ’05) turned passion into purpose — opening acclaimed restaurants and sharing her heritage through food and national TV features.
Community Roots
Sam McNulty (BA ’97) launched his hospitality career at CSU and now runs top Ohio City bars and Market Garden Brewery. He’s also redeveloping Duck Island, connecting Cleveland neighborhoods.
A Message from the President
President Harlan M. Sands marks his first year, spotlighting CSU’s student-centered achievements: Say Yes scholarships, new partnerships, global outreach, and seven strategic priorities forward together.
CSU Among Nation’s Best
Cleveland State has once again been selected by The Wall Street Journal as one of the best universities in the United States.
Increasing Degree Attainment
CSU is part of a statewide partnership, led by College Now Greater Cleveland, selected to join Degrees When Due. This national initiative seeks to assist students who have some college credits to complete their degrees.
New Leaders Join Team CSU
Three highly regarded, results-driven individuals have joined the University’s leadership team.
Parker Hannifin Students Live and Learn
In early 2019, Cleveland became the fourth Say Yes to Education chapter in the nation, thereby making college free for virtually all Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) graduates.
Research Highlights
CSU researchers tackle big challenges —f rom AI-driven fertility analysis and trauma-informed youth programs to brain aneurysm prevention using nanoparticles — fueling innovation across disciplines.
Getting Real About Property Management
Cleveland State University will expand innovative education, research and experiential learning in real estate and property management, thanks to a transformative $1.2 million gift from the NRP Group and the Millennia Companies.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
CSU is Viking Strong with a worldwide network of 130,000-plus alumni. Each year, a select group who bring distinction to the University through their career achievements, service and engagement are honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Alumni Adventures
From behind-the-scenes visits to well-known (and little-known) Cleveland sites to world tours, the CSU Alumni Association’s calendar of events has something for everyone.
Class Notes – Winter 2020
Making Food Safer
In a chemical engineering laboratory in the heart of Fenn Hall, a team of mathematics and engineering students and faculty begin an expirement that could enhance food safety.
Making Great Kraut
Drew Anderson (BBA ’09) turned his love for homemade sauerkraut into Cleveland Kraut, sold in 3,500+ stores with inventive flavors and national acclaim — proving fermentation can be bold and local.
Global Agriculture Grows the World
Charlotte Sine graduated from Fenn College in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in English. That degree served her well during a 46-year career in various editorial positions at Meister Media Worldwide.
Love Letter to Cleveland
A 58‑ft mural by Gary and Laura Dumm now graces CSU’s Michael Schwartz Library, celebrating local landmarks and history, funded by community and tied to Cleveland Memory Project.
C|M|LAW Hall of Fame
The Cleveland-Marshall Law Hall of Fame was established in 2017 to honor alumni, faculty, staff, friends and community leaders who have contributed to the success and prestige of the law school.
Sands Shares Plans for Year Two
Seven new initiatives, including a Forward Together Innovation Challenge, were announced as part of President Harlan Sands’ first State of the University address.
LCC Joins Enhanced Transfer Partnership
Cleveland State University has created a series of innovative partnerships with local community colleges which are designed to create a comprehensive, assistive pathway for students to make the easy transition to Cleveland State.
Pooling Their Knowledge
CSU partnered with the Seven Hills Recreation Center to improve sensory processing and socialization for children with special needs through a pediatric aquatic therapy program.
Leave a Legacy with Estate Plan
Alumna Virginia McFrederick loved libraries. And because she included CSU in her estate plan, the Michael Schwartz Library is now home to the Virginia McFrederick Group Study Center.
Creating Community Through the Arts
Gina Vernaci had spent nearly four decades as a theater manager and administrator and was in the middle of a highly successful tenure at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square when a lunchtime walk changed her educational and professional path.
From Fixing Cars to Fixing Bodies
Alumnus sees medicine as a vehicle for improving the community
Homecoming Memories
A people-powered parade, golden apples, a harvest picnic, reunions, dedications, awards . . . Homecoming 2019 was packed with activities that brought alumni and their families back to campus.
Addressing Food Insecurities Among Students
According to the College & University Food Bank Alliance, 36 percent of college students experience food insecurity while nine percent are homeless.
Making Great Kraut
Drew Anderson (BBA ’09) turned his love for homemade sauerkraut into Cleveland Kraut, sold in 3,500+ stores with inventive flavors and national acclaim — proving fermentation can be bold and local.
A Message from the President
President Harlan M. Sands marks his first year, spotlighting CSU’s student-centered achievements: Say Yes scholarships, new partnerships, global outreach, and seven strategic priorities forward together.
C|M|LAW Hall of Fame
The Cleveland-Marshall Law Hall of Fame was established in 2017 to honor alumni, faculty, staff, friends and community leaders who have contributed to the success and prestige of the law school.
New Leaders Join Team CSU
Three highly regarded, results-driven individuals have joined the University’s leadership team.
Pooling Their Knowledge
CSU partnered with the Seven Hills Recreation Center to improve sensory processing and socialization for children with special needs through a pediatric aquatic therapy program.
Getting Real About Property Management
Cleveland State University will expand innovative education, research and experiential learning in real estate and property management, thanks to a transformative $1.2 million gift from the NRP Group and the Millennia Companies.
From Fixing Cars to Fixing Bodies
Alumnus sees medicine as a vehicle for improving the community
Class Notes – Winter 2020
Making Food Safer
In a chemical engineering laboratory in the heart of Fenn Hall, a team of mathematics and engineering students and faculty begin an expirement that could enhance food safety.
Community Roots
Sam McNulty (BA ’97) launched his hospitality career at CSU and now runs top Ohio City bars and Market Garden Brewery. He’s also redeveloping Duck Island, connecting Cleveland neighborhoods.
Love Letter to Cleveland
A 58‑ft mural by Gary and Laura Dumm now graces CSU’s Michael Schwartz Library, celebrating local landmarks and history, funded by community and tied to Cleveland Memory Project.
Increasing Degree Attainment
CSU is part of a statewide partnership, led by College Now Greater Cleveland, selected to join Degrees When Due. This national initiative seeks to assist students who have some college credits to complete their degrees.
LCC Joins Enhanced Transfer Partnership
Cleveland State University has created a series of innovative partnerships with local community colleges which are designed to create a comprehensive, assistive pathway for students to make the easy transition to Cleveland State.
Research Highlights
CSU researchers tackle big challenges —f rom AI-driven fertility analysis and trauma-informed youth programs to brain aneurysm prevention using nanoparticles — fueling innovation across disciplines.
Creating Community Through the Arts
Gina Vernaci had spent nearly four decades as a theater manager and administrator and was in the middle of a highly successful tenure at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square when a lunchtime walk changed her educational and professional path.
Alumni Adventures
From behind-the-scenes visits to well-known (and little-known) Cleveland sites to world tours, the CSU Alumni Association’s calendar of events has something for everyone.
Alumna Finds Success as Chef, Restaurateur
From Ukrainian immigrant to celebrated chef, Natasha Pogrebinsky (BA ’05) turned passion into purpose — opening acclaimed restaurants and sharing her heritage through food and national TV features.
Global Agriculture Grows the World
Charlotte Sine graduated from Fenn College in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in English. That degree served her well during a 46-year career in various editorial positions at Meister Media Worldwide.
CSU Among Nation’s Best
Cleveland State has once again been selected by The Wall Street Journal as one of the best universities in the United States.
Sands Shares Plans for Year Two
Seven new initiatives, including a Forward Together Innovation Challenge, were announced as part of President Harlan Sands’ first State of the University address.
Parker Hannifin Students Live and Learn
In early 2019, Cleveland became the fourth Say Yes to Education chapter in the nation, thereby making college free for virtually all Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) graduates.
Leave a Legacy with Estate Plan
Alumna Virginia McFrederick loved libraries. And because she included CSU in her estate plan, the Michael Schwartz Library is now home to the Virginia McFrederick Group Study Center.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
CSU is Viking Strong with a worldwide network of 130,000-plus alumni. Each year, a select group who bring distinction to the University through their career achievements, service and engagement are honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Homecoming Memories
A people-powered parade, golden apples, a harvest picnic, reunions, dedications, awards . . . Homecoming 2019 was packed with activities that brought alumni and their families back to campus.