The Arkansas Tech University College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) celebrated the achievements of its faculty and students during the 2025-26 academic year with an awards dinner at the Hull Building Event Center on Monday, April 27.
Dr. John Jackson, dean of the ATU College of STEM, served as master of ceremonies.
Dr. Jennifer Ballard, director of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, was the keynote speaker. Ballard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in fisheries and wildlife science from Arkansas Tech.
Awards were presented by department heads Dr. Michael Davis, Dr. John Krohn and Dr. Hamed Shojaei.
Below, in the order they were announced, are the ATU College of STEM awards for 2025-26.
Department of Biological Sciences
Outstanding Biology Student: Mackenzie Epperson and Justin Contreras-Portillo
Outstanding Geosciences Student: Shannon Griffin
Outstanding Fisheries Student: Macy Sparks
Outstanding Wildlife Student: Heath Williams
Outstanding Graduate Student: Nicole Bow
Outstanding Faculty Award in Scholarship: Dr. Kyler Hecke, assistant professor of fisheries science
Outstanding Faculty Award in Service: Cheryl Chaney, assistant professor of biological sciences
Outstanding Faculty Award in Teaching: Dr. Jacob Siebach, assistant professor of geology
Department of Engineering and Computing Sciences
Outstanding Electrical Engineering Student: Luke Beldin
Outstanding Computer Science Graduate: Andrew Pinkerton
Outstanding Cybersecurity Graduate: Collin Parrie
Outstanding Information Technology Graduate: Brennan BonDio
Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Graduate: Lauren Bradford
Outstanding Information Technology Graduate: Landon Boyd (graduate program)
Outstanding Faculty Award in Scholarship: Dr. Robin Ghosh, assistant professor of computer and information science
Outstanding Faculty Award in Service: Jacob Weidenfeller, senior instructor of electrical engineering and lab director
Outstanding Faculty Award in Teaching: Dr. Jerry Wood, professor of computer and information science
Department of Mathematics and Physical Sciences
First-Year Student Achievement Award in Chemistry: Lucia Perez Hruba
First-Year Student Achievement Award in Mathematics: Natalie Spadoni
First-Year Student Achievement Award in Physics: Gavin Hurbanek
Outstanding Chemistry Student: Caitlin Drake
Outstanding Physics Student: Joseph Temple
Physics Senior Fellowship and Outstanding Mathematics Student: Skye Palmer
Chemistry Senior Fellowship: Jaycie Massengale
Outstanding Faculty Award in Scholarship: Dr. Matt Hankins, assistant professor of physics
Outstanding Faculty Award in Service: Dr. Mariusz Gajewski, professor of chemistry
Outstanding Faculty Award in Teaching: Dr. Rajib Choudhury, associate professor of chemistry
Outstanding Instructor Award: Terre Taylor, university instructor of mathematics
Learn more about the ATU College of STEM at www.atu.edu/stem.
