Faculty Honors
Drake University recognizes outstanding faculty through a range of honors that highlight excellence in teaching, mentorship, scholarship, and service. The Madelyn M. Levitt Awards celebrate individuals who demonstrate a deep commitment to student success, meaningful relationships, and academic excellence, while additional honors—such as the Troyer Research Fellowship and Distinguished Professorships—recognize impactful scholarship and leadership. Together, these awards reflect Drake’s dedication to supporting faculty who inspire students and advance their fields.
Jump to
Madelyn M. Levitt Awards
In 1994, the Madelyn Levitt Mentor Award was created in honor of Madelyn Levitt's commitment to Drake and her ongoing interest in faculty and staff achievement and academic excellence. This award represents the award for commitment to student success on the Drake campus, and recognizes faculty and staff who exhibit:
• An outstanding commitment to student success in and out of the classroom
• Integrity in personal relationships
• Typifying the ideal student mentor
Nominations
Nominations for the Madelyn M. Levitt Awards are due Friday, February 6, 2026. Please send a letter of nomination to the Deputy Provost Office via electronic submission to annemarie.greenwood@drake.edu.
Nominated faculty will be invited to submit application materials which will be reviewed by a committee convened by the Deputy Provost and comprised of faculty holding endowed professorships and past recipients of the Levitt Teacher and Mentor Awards. The award will be made by the Provost after confirmation by the Board of Trustees.
2026 Madelyn M. Levitt Award Winners
The Mentor of the Year Award was established to recognize faculty and staff who are committed to student success in and out of the classroom.
Olga Lazareva, Professor of Psychology
2026 Madelyn M. Levitt Mentor of the Year Award
The Teacher of the Year award was established to recognize faculty who exhibit an informed mind in inspirational dialogue with students, rigor in intellectual endeavors, and contagious enthusiasm for their subject matter.
Kelly Bruhn, Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication, Associate Dean of School of Journalism and Mass Communication
2026 Madelyn M. Levitt Teacher of the Year Award
The Scholar of the Year Award was established in 2025 to recognize faculty who have demonstrated excellence in their academic endeavors while making meaningful contributions to society.
Maria Valdovinos, Professor of Psychology
2026 Madelyn M. Levitt Scholar of the Year Award
Troyer Research Fellowship
The Board of Trustees of Drake University in 2009 voted to create the Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Endowment for full-time faculty members in recognition of Dr. Troyer’s many contributions to Drake University during his tenure as Provost, 2000-2009. In creating this fellowship, the Trustees particularly wanted to recognize Provost Troyer’s unwavering commitment to the support of faculty research and development at the highest level. The Fellowship is awarded annually on the basis of a competitive application process conducted by the Office of the Deputy Provost. Selection of the Troyer Research Fellow from among the applicants is based on the applicant's record of scholarly accomplishment and future promise as a scholar.
The Troyer Research Fellow receives a stipend of $5,000 in support of his/her scholarly work. The funds must be spent in the fiscal year in which they were awarded and may be used for a variety of research-related purposes, including support of research assistants, equipment, travel and materials, but funds may not be used to provide a stipend for the recipient. A faculty member is not eligible for more than one Troyer Research Fellowship in a ten-year period.
How to apply and previous recipients
To apply, please submit a 5-7 page document including:
- A narrative of the work to be accomplished, a timeline for its completion, the intended outcomes (ie: type of publication, performance, or presentation) and a budget.
- An abbreviated cv that highlights relevant research and creative work, teaching and service.
Applications must be submitted to the Deputy Provost Office via electronic submission to annemarie.greenwood@drake.edu. applications are due February 27th, 2026.
Applications will be reviewed by a committee comprised of former Troyer Fellows and other faculty holding endowed professorships. The committee will make recommendations to the Deputy Provost and the Fellowship will be awarded by the Provost after confirmation by the Board of Trustees.
Dian Nostikasari, Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Sustainability
2026 Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Award
Bengu Erguner-Tekinalp, Professor of Counseling, SOE
2024 Ronald Toyer Research Fellowship Award
Stacy Gnacinski, Associate Professor of Health Sciences, CPHS
2023 Ronald Toyer Research Fellowship Award
Ina Purvanova, Professor Management and Leadership/Department Chair, CBPA
2022 Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Award
Lynn Kassel
2021 Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Award
Sandra Patton-Imani
2020 Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Award
Olga Lazareva
2019 Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Award
Maria Valdovinos
2018 Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Award
Kim Huey
2017 Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Award
Sally Beisser
2016 Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Award
Craige Wrenn
2015 Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Award
Tim Knepper
2014 Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Award
Tom Rossbury
2013 Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Award
Jody Swilky
2012 Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Award
Klaus Bartschat
2011 Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Award
Mark Vitha
2010 Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Award
Distinguished Professorships and Chairs
The purpose of the Special University/Distinguished Professorships is to recognize and reward superior faculty at Drake University and to attract outstanding persons to Drake University for faculty appointments.
Guidelines, Purpose, and Selection Criteria (pdf)
| Title | Individuals |
|---|---|
| Aliber Distinguished Professor of Accounting |
|
| Briggs Endowed Professor of Cello | |
| David E. Maxwell Distinguished Professorship in International Affairs |
|
| Dwight D. Opperman Distinguished Professor of Law | |
| Employers Mutual Distinguished Professor of Insurance |
|
| Fred and Patty Turner Professor of Jazz Studies | |
| Herb and Karen Baum Chair of Ethics and the Professions |
|
| James Madison Chair in Constitutional Law | |
| John R. Ellis Distinguished Chair of Pharmacy Practice | |
| Kern Family Chair in Law | |
| Marshall and Judith Flapan Professor of Biology | |
| Mary Collier Baker Distinguished Professor of Education |
|
| Peggy Fisher & Larry Stelter Chair in Magazine Journalism | |
| Richard M. and Anita Calkins Distinguished Professors of Law | |
| The Clifford G. Rea Distinguished Chair in Biology | |
| Thomas F. Sheehan Distinguished Professors |
|
| Windsor Distinguished Professors of Science |
|
Ellis & Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professors
- Ronald Torry, Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences
- Keith Summerville, Environmental Science
- J. Royce Fichtner, Business Law
- Maria Valdovinos, Psychology
- Leanne Freeman-Miller, Music
- Heidi Sleister, Biology
- James Romain, Music
- Bengu Erguner-Tekinalp, Counseling
Ronald Troyer Research Professorship
- Dian Nostikasari, Environmental Science