{"id":30678,"date":"2016-04-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-21T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.tarleton.edu\/news\/tarleton-announces-o-a-grant-excellence-in-teaching-awards\/"},"modified":"2025-10-07T10:20:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T15:20:11","slug":"tarleton-announces-o-a-grant-excellence-in-teaching-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/tarleton-announces-o-a-grant-excellence-in-teaching-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"Tarleton announces O.A. Grant Excellence in Teaching Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"O.A.<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

O.A. Grant Excellence in Teaching Awards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 21, 2016<\/p>\n\n\n\n

STEPHENVILLE, Texas\u2014 Five Tarleton State University faculty have been named 2016 recipients of O.A. Grant Excellence in Teaching Awards. Created in honor of the longtime Tarleton social sciences faculty member, the awards are presented each spring in conjunction with University Faculty Awards sponsored by the Tarleton Alumni Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One faculty member from each of the university\u2019s five colleges is chosen for the honor, which includes a plaque and a cash stipend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selected for the 2016 awards are:
\u2022 Mrs. Shanan Fowler<\/strong>, College of Education, Department of Curriculum & Instruction;
\u2022 Dr. Wayne Atchley<\/strong>, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, Department of Agricultural & Consumer Sciences;
\u2022 Dr. Sally Hoger<\/strong>, College of Science & Technology, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences & Public Health;
\u2022 Dr. Leah Schultz<\/strong>, College of Business Administration, Department of Marketing & Computer Information Systems; and
\u2022 Dr. Cecilia Marrugo-Puello<\/strong>, College of Liberal & Fine Arts, Department of English & Languages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recipients are nominated by their college and chosen by the Faculty Awards Selection Committee. This prestigious award was instituted in 1983 as the Distinguished Service Award. Created through a grant, the award recognizes not only teachers who are dedicated to the educational environment in the classroom but show a genuine concern for students outside academics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mrs. Shanan Fowler, Instructor of Curriculum & Instruction
<\/strong>Fowler joined Tarleton in 2011 and has 17 years\u2019 experience as an educator. Teaching pivotal courses for the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, such as developmental reading and early childhood environments, she helps prepare future teachers for all aspects of classroom management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of their nomination, students wrote that they\u2019re always greeted with a kind word and a sincere, warm smile in every class, making them feel special and welcome. One student noted that, \u201cMrs. Fowler\u2019s impact on my life and the lives of students at Tarleton is wide reaching. She indirectly touches thousands of students\u2019 lives each year because of the lessons she provides future educators like me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fowler earned her master\u2019s in professional studies from George Mason University and a bachelor\u2019s in early education from Murray State University. Prior to joining Tarleton, she taught both kindergarten and second grade, and served as a parent trainer for families, helping reduce the risk of abuse and neglect of children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Wayne Atchley, Assistant Professor of Agricultural & Consumer Sciences
<\/strong>Atchley has been with Tarleton for seven years and was named assistant professor in 2010. He is known for a \u201cdemonstrated record of exceptional and innovative instruction\u201d as the administrator for the university\u2019s Applied Learning Experience program. A past recipient of Tarleton\u2019s Faculty Excellence in Student Success Award, Atchley is also described as \u201cone of the best teachers in the department\u201d as he leads courses in ag communications and introductory seminars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDr. Atchley goes above and beyond in the classroom to make sure you are prepared with both knowledge and skills to be a key asset in your chosen work field,\u201d wrote one student. \u201cEven outside of the classroom, his office door is always open, and he is always eager to help in whatever way he can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Atchley holds a doctorate of education in agricultural leadership, education and communication from a joint program between Texas Tech and Texas A&M, and both a master\u2019s of business administration and a bachelor\u2019s degree in radio-TV-film production from Texas Christian University. In addition to his teaching duties, Atchley serves as advisor to the Tarleton Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow and is a member of several thesis and non-thesis committees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Sally Hoger, Assistant Professor of Medical Laboratory Sciences
<\/strong>Hoger joined Tarleton in 2004 and was named assistant professor in 2009. Throughout her career, she has proven to be an exceptional scientist, educator and colleague, a fellow faculty member noted in her nomination. In addition to leading course instruction, she serves as director of Tarleton\u2019s Public Health Program and has been instrumental in developing courses, recruiting students and guiding new degree offerings through the accreditation process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s noted in her nomination material, \u201cTarleton students learn a great deal of practical knowledge in her microbiology courses, and many of her students have gone on to head microbiology departments at area hospitals. Her instruction incorporates many methodologies, including hands-on instruction in lecture and lab, online instruction and additional computer testing methods that allow her students to exhibit the mastery of the subject matter.\u201d It\u2019s also noted in her nomination that she takes an active role in extracurricular activities, serving as faculty advisor for Lambda Tau honor society and the Texas Association of Clinical Laboratory Science student bowl competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hoger earned a doctorate of public health from the University of North Texas Health & Science Center, a master\u2019s of biomedical science from North Texas and a bachelor\u2019s of microbiology from the University of Texas at Arlington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Leah Schultz, Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems
<\/strong>Schultz has spent 10 years at Tarleton, earning associate professorship in 2012. Following an eight-year stint as the university\u2019s webmaster, she brought a wealth of relevant experience to the classroom, receiving the college\u2019s Teacher of the Year Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As one student noted in the nomination process, \u201cI never thought that school could be so much fun and a teacher could be such a great friend until I took Leah\u2019s class.\u201d Schultz not only strives to prepare her students for a successful professional career, but she takes a personal interest in the students to ensure they are successful in life. She has received consistently high scores on student evaluations as well as positive comments on her teaching style, course materials and communication skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schultz earned her doctorate in information science from the University of North Texas and a master\u2019s of library science and bachelor\u2019s anthropology from the University of Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Cecilia Marrugo-Puello, Assistant Professor of Spanish
<\/strong>Marrugo-Puello joined Tarleton in 2012 and has 20 years\u2019 experience in education. Respected by her colleagues and students alike, Marrugo-Puello is described as \u201ca faculty member who cares deeply about students and spends a considerable amount of time helping ensure they succeed in their education and are better prepared for their future endeavors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One student wrote, \u201cas a young woman seeking to establish my future career, Dr. Marrugo-Puello is an exemplary professor. She not only guides me in my Spanish studies, she also gives me sound advice that will help me make good choices in life. I am not the only one she reaches out to in a selfless manner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A senior student who co-nominated Dr. Marrugo-Puello wrote, \u201cThroughout the years of being her student … I have never seen her hesitate to offer a helping hand to any student in need of guidance. She has been the one professor who has pushed me to better myself academically and professionally. She has given me advice and has motivated me to be a great leader … not only in the university but also in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marrugo-Puello holds a doctorate in Spanish from the University of Houston, a master\u2019s in Spanish from the University of Arkansas, and a bachelor\u2019s in English-French from the Universidad de Antioquia in Medellin, Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Dr. O.A. Grant and his legacy:
<\/strong>Grant served Tarleton from 1948 to 1987. He was chairman for the Department of Social Sciences from 1967 to 1976 and named an Outstanding Educator of America in 1976. In 1983, he received the Distinguished Faculty Award from Tarleton and was appointed professor emeritus by The Texas A&M University System after his retirement. Grant is remembered by generations of students as a dynamic, enthusiastic and brilliant professor\u2014a legacy embraced by honorees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarleton, a member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven educational experience marked by academic innovation and exemplary service, and dedicated to transforming students into tomorrow\u2019s professional leaders. With campuses in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online, Tarleton engages with its communities to provide real-world learning experiences and to address societal needs while maintaining its core values of integrity, leadership, tradition, civility, excellence and service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact: Kurt Mogonye
254-968-9460
mogonye@tarleton.edu<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Five Tarleton State University faculty have been named 2016 recipients of O.A. Grant Excellence in Teaching Awards. Created in honor of the longtime Tarleton social sciences faculty member, the awards are presented each spring in conjunction with University Faculty Awards sponsored by the Tarleton Alumni Association.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":30681,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[423],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academics-research"],"acf":{"image":false},"author_meta":{"display_name":"keegan","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/author\/keegan-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2021\/11\/image-2245-300x200.jpg","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["Academics & Research<\/a>"],"unlinked":["Academics & Research<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":0,"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 10 years ago","modified":"Updated 7 months ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on April 21, 2016","modified":"Updated on October 7, 2025"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on April 21, 2016 12:00 am","modified":"Updated on October 7, 2025 10:20 am"},"featured_img_caption":"Seven people standing in a room, four holding awards.","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30678"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30678\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54396,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30678\/revisions\/54396"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30681"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}