Honors Assembly Shines Light on Exemplary Students, Staff, Faculty

With the school year winding down, Alaska Pacific University took time last week to recognize it’s exemplary students, staff, and faculty members during the Annual Honors Assembly. Here are the highlights from the April 20th event.

Faculty Merit Awards:

It is one of the longstanding traditions at APU, that faculty would recommend one another for merit recognition, and that a faculty committee would determine the awardees.

This year’s Faculty award for Teaching went to Assistant Professor David Onofrychuk:

As noted by the awards committee: David uses his involvement with Arctic Entries and The Alaska Writers Guild to provide rich educational opportunities for his students. He has helped organize January block travel courses. He has guided and mentored students in the publication online and in print of Turnagain Currents, which in turn is an excellent example of David’s dedication to making writing exciting for students.

This year’s Faculty Award for Research went to Professor Roman Dial:

As noted by the awards committee: Roman has maintained an exemplary record of research, along with significant teaching responsibilities at APU. He continues to be a productive researcher and writer. He is the recipient of a recent award from the National Science Foundation — and in the past 2 years, has been author for several papers, published in collaboration with graduate students including one on algae and glacial melt with his grad student Gerard Ganey. He is also working with a professional agent on a memoir – demonstrating the distinctive efforts of researcher and writer at APU.

This year’s Faculty Award for Service went to Associate Professor Steve Rubinstein:

As noted by the awards committee: Steve has represented faculty at numerous meetings, retreats, searches, and hallway conversations as Faculty Co-Chair. Steve has gone beyond what was required and managed what was necessary to enable smooth transitions across the past 2 years. He has been instrumental in establishing relationships with local Tribes such as Chickaloon, and fostering collaboration with ANTHC. Steve continually makes connections and opportunities for the farm to partner with organizations and conduct outreach activities in the name of APU.

Faculty Promotions:

At the core of any university are the faculty, who provide for academic integrity, meaningful academic programs, and shared governance of the institution. A primary aspect of governance is exercised through peer review – which is the process by which faculty evaluate one another according to disciplinary criteria– and recognize levels of accomplishment within their ranks.

Faculty are appointed, and promoted, through 4 levels of rank: Instructor, Assistant, Associate, and Professor.

Dr. Stephanie Morgan:

With the recommendation of the Counseling Psychology and Business Administration program areas, and the Institute of Health & Wellness;

With the concurrence of the Faculty Review Committee and Academic Dean; and with the final recommendation from the President;

Dr. Morgan is promoted from Assistant to Associate Professor of Psychology.

Prof. Steve Rubinstein:

With the recommendation of the Outdoor Studies program area and the Institute of Culture & Environment;

With concurrence of the Faculty Review Committee and Academic Dean; and with the final recommendation from the President;

Prof. Rubinstein is promoted from Assistant to Associate Professor of Outdoor Studies.

Courtesy Appointments:

Faculty ranks are comprised of our core faculty, as well as academic administrators who hold courtesy appointments aligned with levels of rank and accomplishment within higher education.

Dr. Hilton Hallock:

With recommendation and concurrence of the Faculty Review Committee and Academic Dean;

The faculty rank appointment of Professor of Education is conferred for Dr. Hallock.

Dr. Bob Onders:

With recommendation and concurrence of the Faculty Review Committee and Academic Dean;

The faculty rank appointment of Professor of Community Health is conferred for Dr. Onders.

Numerous students were also recognized at Honors Assembly by their professors or advisors. Those students were awarded scholarships or gifts. Students included:

• Outstanding Undergrad Student: Alan Conwell
• Outstanding Graduate Student: Sharon Nicholas

Counseling Psychology

• Jim Parsons Memorial Scholarship: Celeste Kukahiko
• Outstanding Undergraduate Student: Tracey Marsh
• Outstanding Graduate Student: Matthew Horner

Liberal Studies

• Outstanding Student: Sydney Hawk
• Outstanding Student: Allen Ginnett
• Renaissance Student: Bonesha Christy
• Renaissance Student: Michelle John
• Turnagain Currents Award: Allison O’Leary
• Turnagain Currents Award: Johanna Kumpula
• Jane Hartman Writing Award: Johanna Kumpula
• Jane Hartman Writing Award: Kaylee Bendixen

Marine & Environmental Science

Outdoor Studies

• Outstanding Student: Sierra Palmer
• Outstanding Student: Aaron Woelk
• Jim and Dee Mahaffey Outdoor Studies Award: Connor Hunt
• Jim and Dee Mahaffey Outdoor Studies Award: Molly Rawalt
• Dasan Marshall Outdoor Studies Adventure Fund: Bianca Trowbridge
• Dasan Marshall Outdoor Studies Adventure Fund: Cory Scmidt
• Dasan Marshall Outdoor Studies Adventure Fund: Maxwell Bonderoff
• Nick and Laura Giles Scholarship: Allen Dahl
• Nick and Laura Giles Scholarship: Savannah Ulrich
• Nick and Laura Giles Scholarship: Keivan Swank

Other entities were recognized by the ASAPU Board, including:

​Club of the Year & Club Advisor of the Year: Chess Fellowship, recognized for representing APU in a nationwide chess tournament and encouraging involvement within the APU community and the greater Anchorage community.

Dedication Award:Dr. Bob Onders, recognized for his dedication to the APU community, for his unfailing generosity and respect for transparency during APU Town Hall meetings, and for his positive outlook on APU’s future.

Outstanding Contribution to Student Award:

–Paul Twardock, for his ability to encourage students to push themselves and achieve their goals while having fun at the same time. For his dedication, patience, and wisdom while coordinating and teaching APU field courses.

–Roman Dial, for his unfailing ability to help students not only learn, but to go beyond the confounds of a classroom and to participate in field work.

–Caitlin Marsteller, for her dedication as a writing tutor and TA. For her contagious optimistic attitude and confident spirit. For her willingness to put others first, ensuring that anyone who interacts with her will have a new positive outlook on any challenges they may be facing. For sharing her opinions and listening to others during engaging conversations. And finally, for being a role model as an outstanding graduate student and scientist.