Dr. Trevor Ellis Receives SWOSU’s 2026 Bernhardt Academic Excellence Award

Interim President Dr. Joel Kendall, left, presents the 2026 Bernhardt Academic Excellence Award to Dr. Trevor Ellis at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

Southwestern Oklahoma State University honored Dr. Trevor Ellis with the 2026 Bernhardt Academic Excellence Award during the Academic Excellence Banquet on Thursday, March 12.

Ellis is professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics at SWOSU. A native Oklahoman from El Reno and a proud SWOSU alumnus, he is recognized for his excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, and leadership.

"Dr. Trevor Ellis represents the very best of Southwestern Oklahoma State University," said Interim President Dr. Joel Kendall. "He is an outstanding professor, respected scholar, and dedicated leader whose work has made a lasting impact on our students, our campus, and the broader community. As a proud SWOSU alumnus, he reflects the excellence and service this award is meant to recognize."

Ellis received a Bachelor of Science-Professional degree in Chemistry from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2001 and a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry from the University of Oklahoma in 2007.

After completing his Ph.D., Ellis served as an instructor, postdoctoral researcher, and visiting professor at the University of Oklahoma, where he worked in an analytical laboratory and in the Natural Products Discovery group. He joined the faculty in SWOSU's Department of Chemistry and Physics in 2011 and has since earned the rank of professor.

During his time at SWOSU, Ellis has served in a number of leadership roles across the department and university. He currently serves as chair of the Department of Chemistry and Physics and previously served as president of the Faculty Senate.

His professional interests include undergraduate pedagogy, development of synthetic methodologies for non-canonical a-amino acids, and synthesis and derivatization of natural product-inspired medicinal leads. He also supports future generations of scientists through chemistry demonstration programs and through his work with the SWOSU Chemistry Club.

In addition to his campus service, Ellis has provided leadership to the profession in a variety of ways, including service as chair of the Oklahoma Section of the American Chemical Society.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Ellis is an active member of the Weatherford community. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Shawna, and their four children. He also supports character development and values-based leadership training through service as a youth athletics coach, committee chair of Cub Scout Pack 355, Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 355, and chair of the Troop 355 Committee.

The Bernhardt Academic Excellence Award was established by SWOSU alumni Theta Juan Bernhardt and the late Dr. William Bernhardt of Midwest City to recognize faculty members who demonstrate exceptional achievement in teaching, scholarship, and service. The award is one of the university's highest honors for faculty excellence.