{"id":1929,"date":"2025-10-03T11:11:26","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T11:11:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/campuses\/indianapolis\/?page_id=1929"},"modified":"2025-10-03T13:27:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T13:27:17","slug":"news-teaching-excellence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/indianapolis\/news-teaching-excellence\/","title":{"rendered":"News – Purdue faculty in Indianapolis recognized for teaching excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Purdue Faculty in Indianapolis Recognized for Teaching Excellence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

October 1, 2025 | Sharel Welch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Five faculty members in Indianapolis were among the Purdue educators honored Sept. 23 at the Celebration of Teaching Excellence event presented by the Office of the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event, held at the Beck Agricultural Center in West Lafayette, recognized 93 Purdue professors in 23 categories of awards. Honorees received a glass apple and an engraved plaque denoting their achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe range of these awards underscores the high caliber of instruction across Purdue,\u201d said David Umulis, senior vice provost Purdue University for Indianapolis. \u201cI\u2019m proud of the innovative teaching practices and collaborative spirit shown by our faculty honorees and am pleased that they are receiving university-wide recognition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purdue\u2019s dedication to experiential, inclusive learning and real-world applications provides the foundation for faculty to create bold, student-centered learning opportunities, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese awards reflect the meaningful impact that Purdue faculty have on student success,\u201d Umulis said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Sharon<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Teaching Leadership Award<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sharon Miller, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sharon Miller<\/strong><\/a> was honored to be selected as a Teaching Leadership Award recipient for her instruction in biomedical engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo me, this award demonstrates Purdue\u2019s support for teaching discussions at the departmental level,\u201d said Miller, assistant vice provost for Purdue in Indianapolis and associate professor of engineering practice. \u201cThis award specifically supports a BME design teaching circle, where lead teaching assistants, lab coordinators and course instructors have a monthly opportunity to discuss best practices in BME design instruction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding the undergraduate biomedical engineering program, which spans two locations, Miller said. \u201cWe strive to identify ways to deliver high-quality design experiences to all our students.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Brenda<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Service-Learning Fellows <\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Brenda Morrow, Purdue Polytechnic<\/strong> Institute<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Brenda Morrow<\/strong><\/a>, assistant professor of practice in construction management technology, was recognized for her classroom work in interior architecture connected to a Service-Learning Fellowship<\/strong><\/a>, a program designed to assist faculty in developing projects and activities with community partners for student experiential learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Service-Learning Fellowship has allowed me to build meaningful connections outside of my program area while gaining valuable insights from service-learning leadership,\u201d Morrow said. \u201cThese insights have been especially impactful in shaping experiential learning opportunities within the evidence-based design course I teach.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Josh<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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IMPACT Festival of Teaching and Learning Recognition for imaginative activities<\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Josh Polk, Purdue Polytechnic Institute<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Josh Polk<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>associate site director and assistant professor of practice in the School of Applied and Creative Computing, was recognized for his instruction on a summer project<\/a> where a group of Polk\u2019s students created a Purdue-themed dark ride concept and functional scale model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIndianapolis has many resources, and it\u2019s a great place to be an educator,\u201d Polk said. \u201cIt\u2019s also a benefit to come up with fun and creative project ideas and get support from the university to make them a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polk appreciates local organizations such as the Children\u2019s Museum of Indianapolis, Conner Prairie and Creative Works. \u201cOur students can gain real-world interaction with amazing client partners.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Christian<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Experiential Education Champion<\/strong><\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Christian Rogers, Purdue Polytechnic Institute<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Believing in the power of experiential learning as core and fundamental to a student\u2019s development, Christian Rogers<\/strong><\/a> chose to apply to become an Experiential Education Champion.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStudents need tangible experiences that take them beyond theory and to do so in an environment that gives them the realization they are professionals in the field,\u201d said Rogers, assistant dean for Purdue Polytechnic in Indianapolis and associate professor in the School of Applied and Creative Computing.<\/strong> \u201cThis is part of the DNA of how we teach in Indianapolis and why I love teaching here.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Rachel<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Most Distinguished Faculty for Research<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rachel Surowiec, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rachel Surowiec<\/a>, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, was awarded Most Distinguished Faculty for Research through a vote by Purdue students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The award is given to one faculty member each year across the Purdue system whose mentorship and teaching through research has meaningfully inspired students, helping them find their voice, their purpose or even their future path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love research,\u201d said Surowiec, who runs the Quantitative Biomedical Imaging and Spectroscopy <\/strong>Lab<\/a> in Indianapolis. \u201cI love the process, the discovery and also that it is a place where I can make a meaningful impact in mentorship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surowiec aims to lead students to find their own love of research through mentorship. \u201cBringing someone into the lab, watching that \u2018aha\u2019 moment happen and then supporting them as they grow into confident researchers and professionals is one of the best parts of what I get to do at Purdue,\u201d she said. \u201cBeing recognized for that by the students themselves is one of the most meaningful honors of my career.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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