Michael S. Allen, Department of Animal Science

Michael S. Allen’s research and outreach contributions to the nutritional sciences and feeding of ruminant animals – especially dairy cattle – have earned him a valued reputation within his field and beyond. A colleague ranks Allen among the top five percent of ruminant nutritionists internationally based on his exceptional ability to evaluate the existing body of knowledge critically, construct insightful and cutting-edge testable hypotheses, and conduct well-planned experiments that generate new knowledge to move his discipline and animal agriculture forward. He is recognized for improving the productivity of ruminants and the standard of living for farmers, nutrition professionals, and consumers nationally and internationally because of his research and broadly based extension efforts. Allen’s reputation garnered the interest of four MSU Distinguished Graduate Fellows who worked in his program at the same time.

“I am very honored to receive this award. It has been particularly rewarding to work in an environment that allows me to pursue scholarly endeavors and influence the careers of others. I feel fortunate to have worked with, and learned from, so many great mentors, colleagues and students at MSU. They have helped make my time here productive and highly enjoyable.”

Timothy C. Beers, Department of Physics and Astronomy

Timothy C. Beers’ scientific vision and pursuit of excellence in research, education and outreach has made him the worldwide leader in the search for the oldest and most chemically primitive stars in the galaxy and the universe. His efforts have led to the identification of more than 2,000 stars with metal abundances less than one percent of the solar value. These stars are providing astronomers and physicists with their best records of the chemical composition of the universe from the time of their formation some 13.5 billion years ago and of the origin and evolution of the chemical elements. Beers is a co-discoverer of the two most primitive “still shining” stars known and was named 2003 Michigan Scientist of the Year by Impression 5 Science Center. He is also a co-investigator in the $10 million Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics Physics Frontier Center and spearheads its involvement in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.

“It is a great honor to be recognized by MSU with the Distinguished Faculty Award. Our university’s involvement with the new SOAR 4.1m telescope is an exciting commitment to the future of astronomy at MSU, for which I am most grateful. I have benefited tremendously from the collegiality and advice of my fellow astronomers, physicists and other scientists.”

Michael Bratton
Department of Political Science and Center for African Studies

Michael Bratton founded and directs the Afrobarometer project, a comparative series of national public attitude surveys on democracy, markets and civil society in Africa. The Afrobarometer aims to produce scientifically reliable data on public opinion in Africa, build international capacity for survey research and disseminate and apply survey results broadly. Altogether the project has brought more than $5 million dollars in external funding to MSU. Its broad scientific, policy, and teaching impact has been enormous, as evidenced by more than 120 citations to the scholarly literature and 650 Google references. Bratton’s reputation is that of a world-class comparative politics scholar who has probably contributed more to the understanding of democratization in Africa than any other single individual.

“I am honored to receive this award. I also appreciate being able to work at an internationally oriented university that values the generation of knowledge and provision of service in the developing world. MSU is an ideal base for pursuing a research, outreach and teaching career aimed at understanding political dynamics in Africa. The Afrobarometer series of public opinion surveys would not have been possible without the support of my colleagues.”

Susan F. Haka
Department of Accounting and Information Systems

Susan F. Haka specializes in managerial accounting research issues relevant to managing multinational companies and has earned the reputation of a leading international accounting scholar. Her work is designed to assess the impact of accounting information on management decision making. She has published extensively in top-tier accounting and specialty journals, and is the author of two widely used textbooks on international accounting. Haka possesses skill in curriculum development which was key when she served as chairperson of the committee that designed MSU’s weekend MBA program. Currently she is vice president of finance for the American Accounting Association and she has served as associate editor of five journals and as editor of Behavioral Research in Accounting.

“Receiving the Distinguished Faculty Award is an honor and a privilege. This year’s list of awardees is a testament to Michigan State University’s environment, an environment that allows individual faculty to become national and international leaders in their disciplines. I thank my colleagues and students for their inspiration and motivation. In particular, my family’s support was critical to the achievements that this award is designed to recognize.”

John R. Hollenbeck, Department of Management

John R. Hollenbeck is a leading scholar in organizational behavior and management. Professional journals including the Academy of Management Journal, the Journal of Applied Psychology, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes and Personnel Psychology have published his work in the areas of goal setting, team performance and research methodology. He has served as editor of Personnel Psychology and on editorial boards for six other journals. Hollenbeck has been key in bringing more than $5 million dollars in research grant funds to MSU. Graduate students praise Hollenbeck as a highly effective teacher and he is a co-author of textbooks that enhance the education of undergraduates at MSU and elsewhere.

“I am honored to receive this award, but as the co-director of the Team Effectiveness Research Laboratory at Michigan State, it’s a little too easy for me to recognize how everything I have accomplished in my career has been the product of a group effort. I have been blessed with many great colleagues and graduate students over the years, particularly Daniel Ilgen, who has been a tremendous mentor and friend.”

Joseph P. Lulloff, School of Music

Joseph P. Lulloff, one of the premiere saxophonists of his generation, excels in both classical and jazz media. Don Freund, distinguished professor of music at Indiana University, says “he is a brilliant and impeccable technician, but he is much more; he is a musician driven by a passion for excellence and a comprehension of the art on an amazing variety of levels.” Lulloff’s performances around the globe as a recitalist, concerto soloist and collaborative chamber musician draw praise from critics, colleagues and audiences. Cleveland Plain Dealer reviewer Donald Rosenberg called Lulloff’s concerto appearances with the Cleveland Orchestra in May and June 2005 “brilliant and stunning.” Lulloff’s students are winners of numerous national and international competitions and are teaching and performing in prestigious schools, conservatories and universities.

“I am honored to be recognized by my MSU colleagues, students and peers outside the university for this award. It is exhilarating for me to work with many talented music students, guiding them in their artistic pursuits and teaching them to become mentors for the next generation of musicians. MSU is a unique place where being part of a great team creates success.”

Peter G. Murphy, Department of Plant Biology

Peter G. Murphy is the world’s leading authority on the ecology of dry tropical forests. He and his students have been among the first to focus on the previously undervalued dry forests in the tropics, which cover greater areas and face more human disturbance than rainforests. He also has translated that scientific knowledge into conservation and educational actions of direct benefit to society. Murphy has served as associate chairperson of his department since 1990 and has taught 11 different courses at MSU and has been the major professor for 17 doctoral and 25 master’s students. According to a former student, “Professor Murphy did more than teach me about ecology; he has shaped my life journey. . . . His gusto, humor, curiosity, and his love of life and all things ecological continue to inspire my own teaching today.”

“To have had the opportunity to serve on the faculty of MSU – with its profoundly positive influence on vast numbers of people at local and global scales – has been a great privilege. The university, the College of Natural Science and the plant biology department have never failed to provide a stimulating and supportive environment. Much of the credit for this award most definitely belongs to my students, colleagues and ever-supportive wife.”

Ram Narasimhan
Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management

Ram Narasimhan has made an international impact through developing and testing theory that advances the effectiveness and efficiency of supply management systems; operations management; and the global integration of manufacturing operations. He is a prolific scholar whose work appears in the top journals. A leading scholar in the field calls Narasimhan “one of the three most active researchers in the country in the field of operations management.” The scholar adds, “He always is one step ahead of anyone else in terms of predicting important and difficult issues that would face the operations management field.” A former doctoral student says, “He is not only a brilliant scholar but also a person who cares deeply about his work and takes the time to share his enthusiasm, vision and knowledge with students and colleagues.”

“I am deeply honored and pleased to be selected for this prestigious award by MSU. This is, indeed, a highlight of my career at MSU. I share this honor with my colleagues and doctoral students who have contributed immeasurably to my intellectual growth over the years. My research and scholarly contributions would not have been possible without administrators who strongly encouraged and supported excellence in academic research.”

Ramani Narayan
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

Ramani Narayan is a highly regarded teacher and scholar who has made important real-world contributions as a creative and successful industrial leader and entrepreneur. His contributions to the Green Revolution are considerable and his research on sustainable biotechnology is internationally recognized. That research has resulted in a list of patents for environmentally friendly biobased products and biodegradable polymers. In addition to garnering more than 12 million dollars in research funding, he has published widely, served on numerous boards and testified before Congress. He has achieved success in delivering the benefits of these accomplishments to society, from biocomposites, bioplastics and biofibers derived from renewable resources to a new family of arts and crafts materials for children.

“With support from the university, my faculty colleagues and some of the best and brightest students, I have had the privilege and opportunity to take these technologies to the marketplace using entrepreneurial ventures. It was an ideal platform to educate graduate and undergraduate engineers on being entrepreneurial, and learning about sustainable, biobased manufacturing technologies. I am deeply honored and grateful to receive this award.”

Judith Roof, Department of English

Judith Roof’s scholarly pursuit in the fields of sexuality and gender studies, narrative theory and film studies has brought her international recognition. Her written work is influential in a cluster of related areas, any one of which, alone, would guarantee wide visibility among the current generation of literary and cultural critics. Together, her work in these areas exemplifies an original perspective that makes her one of the most sought after and highly regarded commentators on film, drama, the novel, cultural studies and gender theory. Her critical study, Come as You Are: Narrative and Sexuality, received the 1997 Perkins Award of the Society for the Study of Narrative Literature as the “book that best contributes to the study of narrative.” Roof earned a law degree in 1979 and exhibits a continued interest in legal studies, acting, film making, painting and editing.

“MSU provides an open and supportive environment that permits wide-ranging, interdisciplinary and sometimes controversial inquiry combining the scholarly and the creative. I am lucky to be able to write about everything from Eve Arden to the poetics of DNA. I am honored by the university’s recognition of accomplishment in the humanities and am fortunate to be able to work with a superb group of graduate students and colleagues.”