Three Angelo State Recipients Receive Distinguished Awards

SAN ANGELO, TX - The 2015-2016 Gary and Pat Rodgers Distinguished Awards named Amanda Ritchie, Dr. Derek Bolen and Dr. Bradley Petty as the recipients during an award ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 25, in the Houston Harte University Center. The awards honor outstanding staff, faculty and administrators at Angelo State University, said a press release.

Ritchie, Greek life and activities coordinator, received the Distinguished Staff Award. Bolen, assistant professor of communication, received the Distinguished Faculty Award. Petty, executive director of student affairs, received the Distinguished Administrator Award. Each also received a $2,500 honorarium.

They, along with 43 other nominees, were honored by ASU President Brian J. May during the ceremony. 

A three-year ASU staff member, Ritchie was honored for her positive influence on incoming ASU students, her "incredible school spirit" and her extensive service to the ASU community. She helped direct the Ram Family Connection initiative that is a liaison with parents and helps them stay involved with their students on campus. She was also the driving force behind ASU’s new Ram Roundup, an off-campus summer orientation camp designed to help new students transition to college life. She serves on numerous campus committees, including the New Student Orientation and Rambunctious Weekend planning committees, volunteers for the ASU Alumni Association and is a big supporter of ASU athletics. From her nomination letter, “Amanda truly bleeds blue and gold…she is 110 percent committed to the growth and development of ASU and the students.”

An ASU faculty member since 2012, Bolen was honored for his exceptional ability to engage and instruct his students and his willingness to mentor his students both in and out of the classroom. In addition to his teaching and advising duties, he is a member of numerous campus committees, including the Academic Assessment Committee, Graduate Council and Gender Studies Committee, and still finds time to mentor student research projects and conduct and publish his own research. He is also the faculty advisor for the Communication Graduate Students Association. From his nomination letter, “No matter the course topic or level, Dr. Bolen tirelessly engages a relational teaching approach that is typified by empathy, openness and generosity. In response, students have flourished when putting ideas into motion, honing their critical voices and investing in their education.” 

At ASU, since 2000, Petty has been executive director of student affairs since September 2012 and also serves as a lecturer in the University Studies program. Prior to that, he was director of university recreation and intramurals. In addition to presiding over the many component offices that make up Student Affairs, he is also on the Staff Senate, serves on many other university committees and is an active volunteer in the community. One nomination letter read, “Although the plaques and appreciation awards are fantastic…none of them constitute the greatest award he has received. That award is the appreciation from his staff members for being an excellent leader through transparency and open communication, as well as going beyond the call of duty to encourage and support his team. This is the real reward and the one that all administrators should strive to achieve.”

The Gary and Pat Rodgers Distinguished Awards were created by San Angelo native and former ASU student Gary Rodgers and his wife, Pat. Because of their association with many ASU employees over the years, the couple recognized the roles that staff, faculty and administrators perform to help ASU fulfill its mission to prepare students to be responsible and productive citizens. Gary and Pat Rodgers also provide the $2,500 honorarium for each recipient.

Other nominees for the Distinguished Staff Award were Dara Anderson, Melody Kelley, Marshell Peter, Justine Salgado, Eldra Sanford, Justin Segura, Lorina Soza and Roselee Wilson.

Other nominees for the Distinguished Faculty Award were Dr. Susana Badiola, Dr. David Bixler, Dr. Heather Braden, Michael Burnett, Manny Campos, Robert Cope, Dr. Drew Curtis, Dr. David Dewar, Dr. Charles Diminnie, Dr. David Faught, Dr. Mark Hama, Dr. Crystal Kreitler, Dr. Nicholas Negovetich, Dr. Kendra Nicks, Dr. Edith Osborne, Dr. Kathryn Ostrofsky, Dr. Sandra Pate, Donald Plachno, Gayle Randall, Dr. Joe Satterfield, Dr. Jeffrey Schonberg, Lisa Collier, Dr. Norman Sunderman and Dr. Russell Wilke.

Other nominees for the Distinguished Administrator Award were Sharla Adam, Dr. Tom Badgett, Dr. James Forbes, Dr. Laurence “Casey” Jones, Dr. Susan Keith, Dr. Leslie Mayrand, Michelle Norris, Wendy Sklenarik and Dr. James Summerlin.