(L-R) Dr. Kimberly Livengood, Dr. Crystal Kreitler and Phillip Nichelson
Phillip Nichelson, Dr. Crystal Kreitler and Dr. Kimberly Livengood have been selected to receive the 2020-21 Gary and Pat Rodgers Distinguished Awards honoring outstanding staff, faculty and administrators at Angelo State University.
Nichelson, veteran’s specialist in the Office of Affiliated Military and Veteran Services, received the Distinguished Staff Award. Kreitler, an associate professor of psychology, received the Distinguished Faculty Award. Livengood, chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, received the Distinguished Administrator Award. Each also received a $2,500 honorarium.
They, along with 50 other nominees, were honored today (Aug. 19) during the ASU Fall Assembly.
Phillip Nichelson Nichelson was honored for his comprehensive efforts on behalf of ASU’s military and veteran students, as well as championing an ASU education to everyone he meets. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he advocated extending the hours of the VETS Center for students who lacked the technology for online classes, and he also implemented a highly successful peer-to-peer tutoring program for veteran and military students. He is a consistent mentor for new staff in his office, as well as ASU’s Student Veteran Organization, and also proudly represents ASU at military education fairs and related events around the state. He stays involved on campus in several committees, including the Core Values Committee, and is a regular participant in Ram Jams and other campus events. In the community, he coaches youth sports, co-hosts mental health sessions for various veteran assistance networks, and participates in a foster child program. From his nomination letter, “Phillip personally interacts with hundreds of students each semester to ensure they stay in school, graduate and find successful employment.”
Crystal Kreitler Kreitler was honored for the tremendous impact she has on her students in the classroom and through mentoring their varied research projects. As director of the M.S. in experimental psychology degree program, she has aided numerous students in getting their research published in industry journals and presented at professional conferences. She is also very involved in several campus initiatives impacting specific student groups, including the Former Foster Care Youth Committee, Fostering Ram Success, Rams Reload Fundraising Committee, First-Generation Student Host Family Program, and Sigma Phi Lambda Christian sorority. Additionally, she is a member of numerous university committees and served as president of the Faculty Senate. In the community, she is a member of the West Texas Academic Scholars Collaborative for Child Trafficking, Concho Valley Foster Care Consortium, and Children’s Advocacy Center, among others. From her nomination letter, “Dr. Kreitler is an inspiration to my classmates and me. She has brought the best out of me…and I am incredibly grateful for the impact she has made on my life. I hope she will be proud of my time with her at Angelo State University.”
Kimberly Livengood Livengood was honored for her leadership of her department and across campus. The master’s degree programs in her department have some of the largest graduate student enrollment numbers at ASU, and she is active in organizations and initiatives aimed at improving online learning experiences for both students and faculty. Virtually all of the academic programs in her department have received national rankings and recognition. Additionally, she is involved in numerous university committees, including the Distance Education Council, Educator Preparation Advisory Council, Title IX Team, Institutional Review Board and Policy Committee for SACSCOC. She is also a huge supporter of the Belles basketball team and serves as the team’s faculty athletic associate. She organizes study resources for the players, offers tutoring services, helps during study halls, hosts team meals and provides baked goods for road trips. From her nomination letter, “Kimberly attends events in support of faculty, staff and students both virtually and face to face. She actively supports the women’s basketball team, participates in ASU celebration days, and wears blue and gold proudly and often. She constantly has a smile on her face and exhibits Ram Pride in all that she does.”
The Gary and Pat Rodgers Distinguished Awards were created by San Angelo native and former ASU student Gary Rodgers and his wife, Pat. Because of their association with many ASU employees over the years, the couple recognized the roles that staff, faculty and administrators perform to help ASU fulfill its mission to prepare students to be responsible and productive citizens. The Rodgers also provide the $2,500 honorarium for each award recipient and have fully endowed the Rodgers Awards through the ASU Foundation so they will continue in perpetuity.
Other nominees for the Distinguished Staff Award were Judy Berry, Jason Brown, Jody Casares, Victor Chhuor, Brandy Dunham, Sandra Fuentes, Paul Hamilton, Britany Hernandez, Tracey Kennemer, Mark Multer, Mark Munguia, Frederick Reidy, Renee Robbins, Danielle Spencer, Kristin Stanley and Courtney Wilson.
Other nominees for the Distinguished Faculty Award were Tia Agan, Jonathan Alvis, Loren Ammerman, Ashley Atwood, Anthony Battistini, Steven Brewer, Robert Briwa, Jay Brown, Manny Campos, Leah Carruth, Anthony Celso, Bradley Cesario, Carla Ebeling, Dennis Hall, Kinsey Hansen, Mellisa Huffman, Paula Koca, Won-Jae Lee, Nicole Lozano, Eduardo Martinez, Brenda Norton, Robert Pullin, Andrew Rivera, Fagner Rocha, Cody Scott, Warren Simpson, Cheryl Stenmark, Nicole St. Germaine, Elaine Stribling and William Taylor.
Other nominees for the Distinguished Administrator Award were Kimberly Dickerson, Chris Matz, Sam Spooner and Kristi White.
