Ransdell, Wampler and Ziker named Boise State Distinguished Professors

Boise State has selected recipients of the 2025-2026 Distinguished Professor Awards, one of the highest honors bestowed upon faculty members at the university. This prestigious award grants the title of Distinguished Professor and is reserved for a select group of faculty who have made significant contributions to their academic disciplines and the Boise State community. This year, the award has been conferred upon Lynda Ransdell, Brian Wampler and John Ziker.

"This recognition of Dr. Ransdell, Dr. Wampler and Dr. Ziker is well-deserved after their outstanding service to their academic programs, their students and the university," said Zeynep Hansen, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. "These dedicated members of our university community have demonstrated excellence as scholars, academic leaders and educators."

Lynda Ransdell

Lynda Ransdell first joined Boise State in 2004 as an associate professor in what is now the School of Kinesiology in the College of Health Sciences. After departing in 2012 to serve in college-level leadership roles at Montana State University, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and Northern Illinois University, Ransdell returned to Boise State to lead the transformation of the Kinesiology program into a school. She has authored and co-authored numerous articles, chapters and books, given countless presentations and has served as a committee member or chair for dozens of theses and dissertations.

Randell said of the award, "While I am grateful to be recognized, this award belongs just as much to the dedicated and brilliant colleagues and students in BSU's School of Kinesiology with whom I have had the privilege to work. Along the way, we have all pushed each other and celebrated our journey to excel in teaching, research, and service. I am so happy that Boise State University chose me to be a part of this community."

Nominators Yong Gao, Shelley Lucas, and Tyler Johnson wrote of Ransdell, "Dr. Ransdell is an exemplary educator, scholar, and leader. Her national and international reputation in teaching, research, and service has had an indelible impact on her students, colleagues, and the broader academic community."

Brian Wampler

Brian Wampler joined Boise State in 2001, serving as a department chair of first the Department of Political Science, and then the Department of Global Studies from 2013-2019. Most recently, he has served as the President's Professor of Public Scholarship and Engagement, and director of the Office of Community Engagement. Wampler has written six books and authored or co-authored numerous articles and chapters on democracy, participatory governance and policy. He has advised numerous graduate students at Boise State and other universities.

Wampler said of the award, "I am deeply honored to be recognized as a Distinguished Professor. Over my career at Boise State University, I have been lucky to have great colleagues and students who have inspired me in my research, teaching, and engagement activities. Boise State University has provided extensive support and numerous opportunities to tackle new projects."

Nominator Dr. Nisha Bellinger wrote of Brian Wampler, "His contributions to Boise State University capture the spirit of Blue Turf thinking through his dedicated service to our students, advancing the body of research in the political science discipline with noteworthy policy implications, and serving the mission of the university in myriad ways."

John Ziker

John Ziker joined Boise State as an assistant professor in 2003, serving as chair of the Department of Anthropology from 2012 to 2024. He most recently served as director of undergraduate programs for the department. Ziker has been the author or co-author of a number of books, papers, chapters and conference presentations, and has edited several books. He has advised many graduate students and given numerous invited lectures at Boise State and elsewhere.

Ziker said of being selected for the award, "I am honored to receive this award and appreciate the support of family, friends, and colleagues and collaborators at Boise State and beyond. I am grateful to the Boise State academic community, and administrative and support staff without whom our work would be impossible. I am proud of the junior faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and postdocs I have mentored, and appreciate the reciprocal nature of that mentorship. I look forward to sustaining my work and contributing to teaching, research, and service excellence at Boise State into the future."

Chair of the Department of Anthropology and nominator Kristin Snopkowski wrote of Ziker, "Dr. John Ziker's transformative research significantly advances the field of Anthropology, and his dedicated teaching, leadership, and service meaningfully benefit the university, students, and the broader community."

The three award recipients will be recognized at the annual Employee Appreciation Breakfast on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

More information on the Distinguished Professor Award and details on the nomination and selection process can be found on the Distinguished Professor Award website.

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