Purdue Polytechnic Institute recognized faculty and staff members for their contributions to the college's teaching, research, and operational missions during the annual spring recognition luncheon on April 30.
Daniel Castro, dean of Purdue Polytechnic, opened the event by reviewing the college's recent milestones, including the naming of the Bowen School of Construction and the launch of the School of Applied and Creative Computing. He emphasized that the daily efforts of the faculty and staff make these institutional achievements possible by directly supporting the student body.
"At the center of everything we do are our students," Castro said. "The impact you have, whether in the classroom, through research, or in the many roles that support our operations, shapes their experience and prepares them for what comes next."
College leadership presented the following awards during the ceremony:
Staff awards
- Academic Advisor Award: Aimee Griggs
- Business Office Service Award: Angela Handel
- Customer Service Award: Laura Bousman and Rachael Busch
- Leadership Award: Nicky Federer
College faculty awards
- Outstanding Faculty in Learning: Tawfiq Salem
- Outstanding Faculty in Discovery: Miad Faezipour
- Outstanding Faculty in Engagement: David Whittinghill
- John P. Lisack Early-Career Engagement Award: Farid El Breidi
- Outstanding Leadership in Globalization Award: Grant Richards
University award winners and nominees
The college recognized faculty selected by students as nominees for university-level teaching awards. As previously announced, Abrar Hammoud won the university's highest undergraduate teaching honor, the Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award.
- Murphy Award nominees: Rob Howard, Alejandra Magana, Emily McLaughlin, and Rustin Webster
- Exceptional Early Career for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Nominees: Chris Bittinger, Ryan Manuel, George Mitchell, Gaurav Nanda, Romila Pradhan, and Nasheet Zaman
- Excellence in Instruction Award nominees: Todd Brewer, Shawn Farrington, and Will Ledbetter
Bravo Awards
Purdue's Bravo Award program recognizes employees for substantial accomplishments that extend beyond their regular work responsibilities. The 2026 recipients include:
- Fay Barber-Dansby, Zandra Barker, Elena Barnes, Matt Bosgraaf, Niedra Davey, Tyler Eddy, Nicky Federer, Elizabeth Freije, Jason Guy, Lisa Lawson, Nancy Rasche, Corinne Renguette, Lucas Richter, Esra Tepeli, Scott Thorne, Sheila Walter, and Paul Yearling
