06/10/2025 | Press release | Archived content
Cameron University faculty members Dr. Ioannis Argyros, David Bublitz, Travis Childs, Dr. Rajesh Nayak, and Dr. KD Priyasantha and adjunct faculty member Teresa Abram have been honored with awards recognizing their contributions to Cameron's academic community.
Dr. Rajesh Nayak, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Engineering, is the recipient of the 2024-25 Harold and Elizabeth Hackler Award for Teaching Excellence, Cameron's highest faculty honor. The Hackler Lectureship in Teaching Excellence was established in 1996 by Cameron alumni Harold and Elizabeth Hackler to recognize outstanding contributions by faculty in the lives of Cameron students.
"Despite teaching material that can be considered daunting by many, Dr. Nayak teaches in a way where even the most complex material is easy to digest," one nominator wrote, also noting, "Under his tutelage, several students have gone on to pursue graduate studies in various STEM disciplines. Dr. Nayak's teaching fosters a love for learning in students." Another nominator cited Nayak's interactive teaching style and deep interest in every student succeeding.
Nayak says that his teaching is based on the principle of creating a classroom atmosphere that is conducive to learning by all the students. "I want my students to view science as not only existing knowledge to be acquired and understood personally, but more essentially, as being a process of discovery in which they can participate," he says. "I desire that students learn to engage in science - being motivated to explore, to question, to investigate and to discover."
Dr. Ioannis Argyros, a professor of mathematics, was selected to receive the Bhattacharya Research Excellence Award. His teaching philosophy focuses on the concept that mathematics is not just a subject to be studied, but is a way of thinking that can be applied to solve real-world problems. He encourages his students to approach mathematics with curiosity and creativity, fostering a lifelong love of learning.
His work has significantly advanced the university's reputation in mathematics, particularly in computational mathematics and numerical analysis. A key factor in Argyros' academic career is his dedication to engagement with students and colleagues, which has led to numerous collaborative projects, publications and presentations. He has mentored countless students, guiding them through research projects that have led to national recognition. His mentorship extends beyond academic success, helping students develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills and professional competencies. His guidance has been instrumental in helping students secure research opportunities, scholarships and admission to top graduate programs.
Argyros has an impressive body of scholarly publishing, with more than 1,700 published papers, 33 books and 17 chapters on computational mathematics and iterative methods. His work has been featured in prestigious journals such as the Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society, Mathematics of Computation, Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications, and Applied Mathematics and Computation. The number of citations of his works is close to 11,000. In addition, he serves on the editorial boards of more than 30 mathematics journals.
Faculty Excellence Awards were presented to three members of the faculty in recognition of their contributions to Cameron's academic community.
The Faculty Award for Excellence in Service recognizes a faculty member who has applied his/her professional expertise beyond the classroom to advance the university and its constituents. Travis Childs, a senior instructor in the Department of Social Sciences, is the 2024-25 recipient. Childs, who joined the CU faculty in 2008, works extensively with concurrent students, holding office hours at Lawton Public Schools' Life Ready Center. He also volunteers to work in the Academic Advising Center during intersession periods, where his broad advising expertise is a major asset.
"Childs is one of the few faculty members that can advise new freshmen, new concurrent students, new transfer students and continuing students for just about any program on campus," wrote the nominator, who also cited Childs' participation on the Curriculum Committee and the Teaching and Learning Committee. He is also a member of the CU Educator Preparation Council and has served as chair of several university committees.
The Faculty Award for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching recognizes a full-time faculty member who performs superbly in the classroom. David Bublitz, associate professor and student media advisor in the Department of Communication, English and Foreign Languages, is the recipient. According to his nominator, Mr. Bublitz "has gone above and beyond to incorporate instructional technology, provide high-impact learning activities, increase student engagement, and adapt instruction to student needs." The nominator also noted that Bublitz takes a creative, interactive approach to journalism instruction through carefully developed curriculum rooted in practical application of journalistic craft.
Bublitz says that he tries to ensure that students graduate with useful, practical skills that will make them competitive in the job market. "I believe college is a place where people learn how to think critically," he notes, adding, "I have an ethical obligation to ensure my students get the very best of what I can provide as an educator. That means being present every day, on time, prepared and ready. That means being a thoughtful and open communicator. It means being inclusive. It means listening actively. Most often, it means being extraordinarily patient and leading by example."
Dr. KD Priyasantha, instructor in the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Engineering, is the recipient of the Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentoring Student Research. The award recognizes a faculty member who has an excellent, sustained record of mentoring student research and scholarship. "Dr. Priyasantha's research in analytical chemistry is a highly desired skill set for students looking to work immediately after graduation as chemists in a professional setting," one nominator wrote, citing his commitment to teaching students how to properly use and troubleshoot various analytical instruments.
"Undergraduate research in analytical chemistry plays a vital role in equipping students with practical experience and preparing them for careers in science, industry or advanced studies," Priyasantha says. "These projects develop technical proficiency while fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills and the ability to effectively communicate scientific findings. My mentoring approach prioritizes hands-on learning, intellectual growth and professional development, creating an inclusive and supportive research environment where students feel empowered to ask questions, cultivate analytical skills and actively engage in all stages of the research process."
Teresa Abram is the honoree for the Adjunct Faculty Award for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching, which recognizes an adjunct faculty member who performs superbly in the classroom. She has served as an adjunct faculty member for the Department of Business since 2018, teaching classes in public relations, ethics and advertising. Each semester, she seeks new and innovative ways to infuse her professional expertise and knowledge into her classes," the nominator wrote. Another acknowledged Abrams' ability to share with her students an unbridled passion for the power and creativity of advertising.
"My teaching philosophy centers on three core principles: the power of experiential learning, a commitment to fostering student success, and igniting passion for advertising and the important role it plays in marketing," Abram says. "By creating an engaging, fun, hands-on learning environment, I strive to guide and equip students with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to succeed in the business environment."
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