Auburn College of Education honors faculty, staff, students and alumni at annual awards ceremony

Auburn College of Education faculty, staff, students and alumni received recognition for their contributions at the college’s 45^th annual Spring Awards Celebration. It was the first time the event was hosted in the college’s new building, which is nearing one year since its official opening in summer 2025.

Twenty-four award recipients were honored at the event, including four winners of the prestigious Dean’s Leadership Award, presented at the beginning of the ceremony by Jeffrey Fairbrother, dean and Wayne T. Smith Distinguished Professor. This year’s honorees were Sim Baweja, founding director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program; Molly McNulty, director of Development; Nick Davis, EAGLES Engagement Council Chair; and Preston Sparks, Director of Communications and Marketing.

“Congratulations to each of our Dean’s Leadership Award winners,” Fairbrother said. “Our college and its impact in the world is made better because of your enormous efforts in amplifying our mission through your hard work.”

Next, Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs Jared Russell presented the Outstanding Student Awards to undergraduate and graduate students from each of the four units in the college, followed by Associate Clinical Professor and Awards Committee Chair Chris Wilburn’s presentation of faculty and staff awards for scholarship, outreach, research, and more.

The college also integrated alumni awards into the ceremony to recognize graduates who exemplify excellence, leadership, service and professional impact. The college honored four exceptional alumni whose awards were presented by Amy Baker, a proud alumna and member of the College of Education’s ENGAGE Council.

“This award honors graduates whose professional accomplishments and service reflect Auburn’s highest ideals and create meaningful impact in their communities,” Baker said at the ceremony. “These alumni continue to inspire and lead in their fields.”

Following the award presentations, all attendees were treated to light refreshments and a visit by Aubie in the Commons area of the College of Education Building.

The full list of award-winners is below:

Faculty and Staff Awards:

The Dean’s Leadership Awards

Sim Baweja

Molly McNulty

Nick Davis

Preston Sparks

Student Awards:

Department of Curriculum and Teaching

Outstanding Undergraduate Student: Madelyn Quirk

Outstanding Graduate Student: Matthew Summerlin

Department of Education Foundations, Leadership, and Technology

Outstanding Graduate Student: Lakendrick Richardson

School of Kinesiology

Outstanding Undergraduate Student: Ella Uebelacker

Outstanding Graduate Student: Bahman Adlou

Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling

Outstanding Undergraduate Student: Hadley Gearin-Virga

Outstanding Graduate Student: Alexis Dowdell

Faculty and Staff Awards:

Outstanding Staff or A&P Member Award: Lauren Ozment

Outstanding Early Career Scholar Award: C.J. Brush

Outstanding Faculty Award for Outreach: Jung Won Hur

Outstanding Award for Research: David Marshall, Jaimie Roper

Excellence in College Service Award: Robin Martin

Dr. Imogene Mathison Mixson Endowed Award for Outstanding Commitment to Empowerment and Engagement: Jason Bryant

Gerald and Emily Leischuck Outstanding Education Faculty Member Awards:

Undergraduate: Andreas Kavazis

Graduate: Carey Andrzejewski

Distinguished Alumni Awards:

Department of Curriculum and Teaching: Allison Turner

Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership, and Technology: Jeremy Carr

School of Kinesiology: Kathy Hoppe

Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling: Audria Frattini