College of Engineering Dean Kim Needy recognized seven faculty members with Dean's Excellence Awards for their achievements in teaching, research and service during a faculty-staff meeting May 6. The faculty members were nominated by their departments for excellent performance during the 2021-22 academic year.

"Our faculty are exceptional across the board, and these faculty members have stood out against that competitive backdrop during an academic year that continued to be challenging because of issues brought on by the pandemic," Needy said. "I commend all of our faculty, with these seven leading the way, for their dedication to excellence in teaching, research and service."

The awardees are:

Rising Star Award: Xiao Liu, industrial engineering.

Collaborative Research Faculty Award: Qinghua Li, computer science and computer engineering.

John L. Imhoff Outstanding Research Award: Fisher Yu, electrical engineering.

John L. Imhoff Outstanding Teaching Award: Susan Gauch, computer science and computer engineering.

Outstanding Public Service: Chase Rainwater, industrial engineering.

Rising Teacher Award: Alex Nelson, computer science and computer engineering.

Nontenure Track Teaching Award: Heather Walker, chemical engineering.