ASU Announces 2016-17 Rodgers Distinguished Award Winners

SAN ANGELO, TX — Kelsey Samsel, Dr. Cody Scott and Tara Hart have been named the winners of the 2016-17 Gary and Pat Rodgers Distinguished Awards honoring outstanding staff, faculty and administrators at Angelo State University. 

Samsel, an academic advisor in the College of Business, received the Distinguished Staff Award. Scott, a professor of animal science and research scientist in the Department of Agriculture, received the Distinguished Faculty Award. Hart, associate director of admissions, received the Distinguished Administrator Award. Each also received a $2,500 honorarium.

They, along with 47 other nominees, were honored by ASU President Brian J. May during a ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 24, in the Houston Harte University Center. 

An ASU alumna in her seventh year as a staff member, Samsel was honored for her dependability, innovative thinking and extensive service to the ASU community. In addition to providing academic advising to students in the College of Business, she provides refresher training on university policies for business faculty, is the only academic advisor selected for the newly established Academic Suspension Appeals Committee, and provides professional development and leadership as a co-advisor for the Sigma Kappa sorority. She also regularly attends a variety of ASU events and handles event planning and social media for the College of Business to promote alumni engagement and establish new traditions. She has stepped in as an adjunct instructor in the College of Education and Freshman College, and she was voted the College of Business Outstanding Staff Member for 2016-17. From her nomination letter, “Kelsey is very hardworking, dependable and immediately responsive to any request for her assistance. She takes initiative, pays close attention to details, and is always looking for ways to improve the level and quality of services the College of Business offers to its students.” 

A 22-year ASU faculty member, Scott was honored for his dedication to his students, extensive contributions to agriculture research, and enthusiasm for public outreach and service. In addition to classroom teaching, he guides and mentors both undergraduate and graduate student research projects at the ASU Ranch and involves students in his own range science research. Primarily through his efforts, the Natural Resource Conservation Service has hired more ASU graduates in the last eight years than from any other university in Texas. Outside of his teaching and research, he coaches the undergraduate Plant ID Team and assists with the Undergraduate Range Management Exam Team. He also travels around Texas assisting with 4-H and FFA judging contests, is active in the Texas Section Society for Range Management, and serves on multiple committees for the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. From his nomination letter, “Cody Scott exemplifies a model university faculty. First and foremost is his passion for the field of range science. That passion runs over into everything he does, from classroom instruction to public outreach to research.” 

At ASU since 2010, Hart was honored for her incredible work ethic, her improvement and expansion of ASU’s signature recruiting events, and her service to the ASU community. She coordinates and partners with virtually every campus department to constantly improve the Experience ASU and Discover ASU recruiting events to meet the expectations of prospective students, and this year created the new Senior Visit Day campus tour events. She also coordinates the True Blue Friday events, oversees the recruiting efforts of ASU’s admissions counselors, and plays an integral role in the annual Carr Scholarship Signing Days and I Chose ASU Month. Her efforts have led directly to increased freshman enrollment over the last several years. In addition to her duties in the Admissions Office, she is an adjunct faculty member in the College of Education, is the advisor for the Rambelle Rugby club team, and is working toward her Ph.D. from Hardin Simmons University. From one of her several nomination letters, “Tara is one of the most diligent people I know. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. while working a full-time job at ASU, advising Rambelle Rugby, and teaching graduate classes. She never lets anything slow her down. Tara continuously has a positive attitude and looks for the best in everyone around her.” 

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. The Rodgers also provide the $2,500 honorarium for each award recipient. 

Other nominees for the Distinguished Staff Award were Leonor Constancio, Sandra Fuentes, Erin Girsch, Jazmin Hernandez, Melody Kelley, Daniel Martinez, Thinh Nguyen, Doris Norton, Vianey Sanchez, Jana Sparks, Alexandra Talamantez, Drexene Winey, Meagan Word and Haley Zapata. 

Other nominees for the Distinguished Faculty Award were Dr. Susana Badiola, Dr. Kenneth Carrell, Dr. Leah Carruth, Dr. Drew Curtis, Dr. Jordan Daniel, Pamela Darby, Randy Hall, Dr. Connie Heimann, Larry Hettick, Dr. Randolph Hicks, Autumn Hoover, Dr. Herman Howard, Dr. Crystal Kreitler, retired Lt. Col. Art La Flamme, Kristen Lyons, Vincent Mangano, Dr. Kendra Nicks, Corey Owens, Dr. Jason Pierce, Donald Plachno, Jack Plott, Gayle Randall, Dr. Warren Simpson, Dr. Sangeeta Singg, Dr. Ben Skipper, Dr. Twyla Tasker and Dr. Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai.

Other nominees for the Distinguished Administrator Award were Martha Cox, Clint Havins, Brandy Hawkins, Kerri Mikulik, Cleave Pool and Wendy Sklenarik.