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The highlight of our annual celebration is recognizing our outstanding faculty for excellence in teaching. Our faculty, whether they are in a tenured, tenure track or non-tenure track position, make a lasting impact on the students they teach. This spring, members of the National Alumni Board and the Distinguished Teaching Award Committee worked closely with the University Teaching Council, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the Provost’s office to unify university processes around teaching awards. 

Beginning this year, 2025, the Distinguished Teaching Award and the Outstanding Teaching Award will be combined into a single honor called the Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award. This newly envisioned award is supported by a single committee comprised of past DTA and OTA recipients, alumni, faculty, and students. The new award streamlines the nomination and selection processes and provides an opportunity to equally honor teaching by all faculty, regardless of their faculty appointment. 

The 2026 Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award Recipients are: 

Angela Douglass, MSN, RN, ACNS-BS, APRN, Nursing Technology, East Liverpool Campus

Angela Douglass has dedicated 34 years to nursing and 23 years to teaching future nurses at ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì University at East Liverpool. As a nursing educator, she emphasizes compassionate patient care, hands-on learning and student success. Douglass incorporates simulation exercises, service-learning projects and creative activities to help students build clinical skills, critical thinking and confidence. She also serves as faculty advisor to the Student Nurses Association, mentors new nursing instructors and collaborates with faculty across ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì’s Regional Campuses to strengthen curriculum and student retention. Her greatest reward is seeing graduates become successful nurses and future educators.

Kevin Eckert, MA, M.Ed., Teaching, Learning & Curriculum Studies, Kent Campus

Kevin Eckert, MA, M.Ed., is a dedicated educator at ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì University whose teaching draws on 19 years of collegiate basketball coaching experience to prepare future physical education teachers, coaches and fitness professionals. Since joining ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì in 2014, he has emphasized building meaningful relationships with students, fostering an inclusive learning environment and adapting instruction to meet diverse needs. Passionate about the benefits of physical activity and education, Eckert incorporates hands-on learning, student feedback and ongoing professional development to strengthen his teaching. Through mentorship and innovative course development, he is committed to helping students achieve their goals and succeed in their future careers.

Mary Russell, Ph.D., Biological Sciences, Trumbull Campus

Mary Russell, Ph.D., is a faculty member at ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì University at Trumbull, where she has taught biology, microbiology, genetics, physiology and anatomy for more than 20 years. Committed to evidence-based teaching, Russell evaluates and refines her instructional methods to enhance student learning, as shown by her participation in the Teaching Scholars program. She incorporates hands-on activities and team-based learning to make complex scientific concepts more accessible, and she has created belonging-centered courses through the Belonging Champions program. Since 2003, she has mentored more than 30 undergraduate researchers, many of whom have presented their work at regional and national conferences. Her teaching prepares students for success beyond the classroom.

James Redfearn, Ph.D.

Andrew Wiley, Ph.D., Lifespan Development & Educational Sciences, Kent Campus

Andrew Wiley, Ph.D., is a dedicated educator at ÐÔ¸£ÎåÔÂÌì University whose teaching and scholarship focus on special education. Committed to student-centered learning, he continually evaluates and refines his instructional approaches to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to support individuals with disabilities. He has redesigned undergraduate coursework to emphasize authentic, hands-on learning and developed innovative approaches to doctoral education. He has deepened his commitment to student learning through engaging in the Teaching Scholars program.  Through research, mentorship and service, including involvement with the Badar-Kauffman Conference on Special Education Research, Wiley prepares future teachers and researchers while advancing meaningful learning experiences for students.

Congratulation to the Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award Finalists

Hanbin Mao, Ph.D., Chemistry & Biochemistry, Kent Campus

Marianne Martens, Ph.D., School of Information, Kent Campus

Elizabeth Schlosser, BS, PT, Physical Therapy Assist, Ashtabula Campus

Carrie Schweitzer, Ph.D., Earth Sciences Kent Campus 

Mandy Ulicney, MS, Sports, Hospitality & Event Management, Kent Campus

Richard Zarzour, MSN, RN, Nursing Technology, Geauga Campus