Awards celebrate the commitment, dedication of EIU’s faculty to teaching excellence, research, service

CHARLESTON, IL (01/07/2026) Eastern Illinois University has recently named its recipients of the University’s 2024-25 Achievement and Contribution Awards. The awards — or ACAs — are awarded annually to selected faculty in four category areas: Primary Duties/Teaching, Research, Service, and Balanced (all combined).

“EIU is proud of its dedicated faculty and staff, and these Achievement and Contribution Awards recipients are exemplary illustrations of the University’s commitment to EIU students and to Eastern’s critical mission,” said EIU President Jay Gatrell. “This year’s recipients have demonstrated through their impressive accomplishments the significance of top-tier faculty on EIU’s longstanding reputation for excellence and their vital impact on Eastern’s extraordinary students.”

EIU’s 2024-25 recipients include:

Balanced Category

  • Dr. Melissa Ames, Department of English
  • Mr. Steve Brantley, Booth Library
  • Dr. Melissa Jones Bromenshenkel, Department of Special Education
  • Dr. Eden Effert-Fanta, Department of Biological Sciences
  • Dr. Kathryn Havercroft, Department of Special Education
  • Dr. Amberleigh Henschen, Department of Biological Sciences
  • Dr. Aimee Janssen-Robinson, Department of Public Health & Nutrition
  • Dr. Rebecca Johnson, Department of Music
  • Dr. Christopher Laingen, Department of Geology/Geography
  • Dr. Md Farhadur Reza, Department of Math & Computer Science
  • Dr. Elizabeth Tacke, Department of English

Research Category

  • Dr. Michael Beck, Department of Chemistry
  • Dr. Gary Canivez, Department of Psychology
  • Dr. Hongshan He, Department of Chemistry
  • Dr. Jinhyuk Lim, Department of Physics
  • Dr. Scott Meiners, Department of Biological Sciences
  • Dr. Christopher Wixson, Department of English

Service Category

  • Dr. Alexis Jones, Department of Teaching, Learning & Foundations
  • Dr. Bill Lovekamp, Department of Sociology/Anthropology/Criminal Justice
  • Dr. Jennifer Stevens, Department of Sociology/Anthropology/Criminal Justice
  • Dr. Paul Switzer, Department of Biological Sciences

Teaching Category

  • Dr. Colleen Abel, Department of English
  • Mr. Todd Bruns, Booth Library
  • Dr. Claudia Janssen Danyi, School of Communication & Journalism
  • Dr. Sace Elder, Department of History
  • Dr. Angela Glaros, Department of Sociology/Anthropology/Criminal Justice
  • Dr. Danelle Larson, Department of Music
  • Dr. Kathleen O’Rouke, Department of Human Services
  • Dr. Angela Yoder, Department of Counseling & Higher Education

These awardees are selected by fellow faculty members who serve on the Achievement and Contribution Awards Committee.

Faculty recipients of the award are recognized for demonstrating excellence in their professional achievements and celebrated for bringing distinction to the University for their range of accomplishments.

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EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, or any of EIU’s other community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.

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