University Research Awards
Each year Western Carolina University presents internal awards to recognize the outstanding work being done by our faculty. Faculty are invited to attend the Faculty Scholarship Celebration, held annually in March.
University Research Awardees
The Office of the Provost provides monetary support for research in the form of the Provost Scholarship Development Award (PSDA), Faculty Research Mentoring Program (FRM), and Helene Impact Mitigation Grants. The awarded funds are intended to generate preliminary data or activity that leads to external funding or expand the scope of a currently funded project, enhance the competitiveness for resubmission proposals considered highly meritorious but previously unfunded, support junior faculty and established investigators in the pursuit of new research or creative scholarly inquiry, support cross-disciplinary teams of faculty in their efforts to prepare competitive proposals for multi-investigator grants, and to positively impact teaching and student learning.
Dr. Tarek Hassan Kandil and Dr. Adam HarrisCollege of Engineering + Technology Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Resilient and Sustainable Energy Systems Powered by Renewable Energy Resources |
Dr. Namhee Kim, Dr. Scott Rowe, and Dr. William KwochkaCollege of Engineering and Technology and College of Arts and Sciences An Innovation on Thermosiphon Technology |
Dr. Sarah Parsons, Dr. Brian Byrd, and Dr. Jacob HeilingCollege of Arts and Sciences and College of Health and Human Sciences Exploring Effects of Urban Development on Insect Communities, Available Insect Biomass, and Key Insect Mediated Services Within and Around Asheville, NC |
Dr. Caitlin Torrence, Dr. Leigh Odom, Dr. Francine Sheppard, and Dr. Debbie LoganCollege of Health and Human Sciences Interdisciplinary Dementia Course and Respite (IDCR) |
Dr. Claire Wofford, Dr. Sarah Pedonti, Dr. Melissa Mecadon-Mann, Dr. Loidaly Rosario-Gonzalez, Dr. Erin Callahan, and Dr. Alleyne BroomellCollege of Arts and Sciences, College of Education and Allied Professions, and College of Health and Human Sciences Weaving a Rebozo: Evaluating Stakeholder Needs and Coordinating Community Resources for Rural Latine and Hispanic Families in WNC |
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Million Dollar Circle
The Million Dollar Circle Award is to recognize the accomplishments of WCU faculty and staff that have received a cumulative total of $1 million in competitive grant funding and contracts through the University, as Principal Investigator.
Ms. Wendy Cagle – Business – 2016
Dr. Shawn Collins – Health and Human Sciences – 2016
Dr. Linda Comer – Health and Human Sciences – 2016
Dr. James Costa – Arts and Sciences – 2016
Dr. Pat Morse – Health and Human Sciences – 2016
Mr. Todd Murdock – Education and Allied Professions – 2016
Dr. Judy Neubrander – Health and Human Sciences – 2016
Dr. Billy Ogletree – Health and Human Sciences – 2016
Dr. David Westling – Education and Allied Professions – 2016
Dr. Robert Young – Arts and Sciences – 2016
Dr. Tamera Pearson – Health and Human Sciences – 2017
Dr. Jayne Zanglein – Business – 2017
Dr. Kae Livsey – Health and Human Sciences – 2019
Dr. Jessica Weiler – Education and Allied Professions – 2020
Dr. Joseph Pechmann – Arts and Sciences – 2021
Ms. Sandra Dennison – Business – 2022
Dr. Patrick Gardner – Engineering and Technology – 2022
Dr. R. Turner Goins – Health and Human Sciences – 2022
Dr. Cathy Grist – Education and Allied Professions – 2023
Dr. Brett Riggs – Arts and Sciences – 2023
Dr. Paul Yanik – Engineering and Technology – 2023
Dr. Heidi Von Dohlen – Education and Allied Professions – 2024
Dr. Debra Burke – Business – 2025
Dr. Sloan Despeaux – Arts and Sciences – 2025
Dr. Brian Byrd – Health and Human Sciences – 2025
Dr. Bora Karayaka – Engineering + Technology – 2025
Hunter Scholar Award
The Hunter Scholar Award promotes and supports faculty research integrating Hunter Library’s resources and services. The award winner may choose release time, a graduate assistant, and other support for their proposed research; use of the graduate assistant and course release are highly encouraged, but not required. Applications that forgo one or both of these incentives will be fully evaluated. The Hunter Scholar Award winner is announced in early spring, with the research project being completed the following fall and spring semesters. This award is jointly provided by Hunter Library, the Graduate School and Research, and the Office of the Provost.
The 2025-2026 Hunter Scholar Award goes to Dr. Yiging Yang
College of Arts and Sciences
University Scholar Award
The University Scholar Award is designed to recognize research and creative activities. This award is given to a faculty member who has achieved a position of prominence in his or her discipline through creative research activities. Examples of distinguished achievements include art exhibitions, works of art, fine arts performances, literary works, research, publications, and grant receipts.
The 2025-2026 University Scholar Award goes to Dr. Brent Kinser
College of Arts and Sciences
research.wcu.edu
