Sahlin Faculty Excellence Awards
Recognizing outstanding achievement
Sahlin Awards honor faculty members who epitomize the highest level of excellence in the pursuit of the University’s goals. Four awards recognize accomplishments in the following areas of faculty performance:
Leadership
Christine V. Portfors
Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education and Professor, School of Biological Sciences
Christine Portfors’ career is marked by her intense dedication to all things research. She has developed and implemented programs to support faculty research, and works to ensure research from all campuses is included and recognized. She is also a strong advocate for women scientists, working hard to promote gender equality on campus in a way that sets a good example for others. Having experienced and overcome the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field, Portfors is dedicated to fostering and encouraging the next generation of women scientists, with over 60% of her undergraduates being women.
Portfors’ lasting impact on WSU Vancouver is most evident through the new Life Sciences Building. Her deep involvement is evident in all aspects of the building, including working closely with architects and design teams on the design of the various labs, classrooms, and office spaces. The building has become a welcoming space for all students to learn, research, and grow, and will continue to make a positive mark on WSU Vancouver’s campus for future generations.
Previous recipients
| 2023-2024 | Michael S. Trevisan, College of Education |
| 2022-2023 | M. Grant Norton, Honors College |
| 2021-2022 | Jill McCluskey, School of Economic Sciences |
| 2020-2021 | Greg Crouch |
| 2019-2020 | Stephen Bollens |
| 2018-19 | Lori Wiest, Music |
| 2017-18 | Marvin Pitts, Mechanical and Materials Engineering |
| 2016-17 | Craig Parks, Psychology |
| 2015-16 | John Roll, WSU Spokane |
| 2014-15 | Vicki A. McCracken, Economic Sciences |
| 2013-14 | Debra Inglis, Plant Pathology |
| 2012-13 | Amy S. Wharton, Sociology |
| 2011-12 | Robert E. Rosenman, Economic Sciences |
Instruction
Bernie Van Wie
Professor, Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering
Bernie Van Wie is a chemical engineer with over 41 years of experience teaching at WSU. With a talent for instruction, he has been recognized as the outstanding chemical engineering professor three times, and he continues to receive glowing teaching evaluations in his classes. His approach to instruction focuses on hands-on learning, fostering student problem-solving skills while helping them learn how to apply their academic knowledge.
One of Van Wie’s most influential contributions to WSU is his development of Low-Cost Desktop Learning Modules (LCDLMs), industrial equipment miniaturized for classroom use. LCDLMs are capable of simulating a variety of processes, from blood cell separation to fluid mechanics. Collaborative and interactive, the use of these learning modules in class lectures is proven to help improve student knowledge retention and ability to critically problem-solve. When the pandemic forced instruction online, Van Wie stepped up to the challenge and created a virtual version of LCDLMs to allow students to engage with lab content remotely without sacrificing the effectiveness of the material. LCDLMs are currently being used by professors from over 45 institutions, including internationally.
| 2023-2024 | Chris Dickey, School of Music |
| 2022-2023 | Corey Johnson, Research Services Unit |
| 2021-2022 | Jesse Spohnholz, History |
| 2020-2021 | Carolyn F. Ross |
| 2019-2020 | Erika Gudrun Offerdahl |
| 2018-19 | Anita Vasavada, Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience |
| 2017-18 | Ray Sun, History |
| 2016-17 | Julie A. Kmec, Sociology |
| 2015-16 | Charles Munson, Finance |
| 2014-15 | Kristen A. Johnson, Animal Sciences |
| 2013-14 | Charles Pezeshki, Mechanical and Materials Engineering |
| 2012-13 | Catherine A. Elstad, Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| 2011-12 | Lori M. Carris, Plant Pathology |
Outreach and Engagement
Danh T. Pham
Professor, School of Music
A passionate music educator and conductor, Danh Pham’s musical influence has been felt around the world. Pham has appeared as a guest conductor at universities and international music camps across Asia, founding The Saigon Winds in 2015, the first concert band ensemble of its kind in Vietnam. Pham is also the leader of the Washington Ambassadors of Music (WAM) program, dedicated to fostering the talents of young Washingtonian musicians. In 2024, WAM was able to tour iconic European music venues, with a similar tour forecasted for 2026. Dedicated to inspiring young musicians, Pham is the Music Director for two separate Washington-based orchestras with extensive youth programs, providing scholarships to deserving artists.
Pham is also dedicated to uplifting the voices of minorities, currently serving on the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) committees for music educators and conductors. He has personally commissioned composers from underrepresented communities to write music for WSU ensembles, allowing their musical voices to be heard and celebrated.
| 2023-2024 | Kevin Murphy, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences |
| 2022-2023 | Girish Ganjyal, School of Food Sciences |
| 2021-2022 | Eric Johnson, Teaching and Learning |
| 2020-2021 | Ka'imi Sinclair |
| 2019-2020 | Cheryl B. Schultz |
| 2018-19 | Dale A. Moore, Veterinary Clinical Sciences |
| 2017-18 | Joe Harrison, Animal Sciences |
| 2016-17 | Douglas Walsh, Entomology |
| 2015-16 | Carol Black, Entomology |
| 2014-15 | Kim D. Patten, Horticulture, WSU Extension |
| 2013-14 | Sue B. Clark, Chemistry |
| 2012-13 | Clayton J. Mosher, Sociology |
| 2011-12 | Gary G. Grove, Plant Pathology |
Research, Scholarship & Arts
Amit Bandyopadhyay
Professor, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Amit Bandyopadhyay is a leading researcher in the applications of 3D metal printing for biomedical devices and is the named inventor on 21 patents. Since 2005, Bandyopadhyay and his team have spent countless hours perfecting metal implants, improving biocompatibility by crafting each individual piece to fit its respective patient. As one of the industry’s foremost experts, he has been instrumental in transforming 3D metallic implants from a nascent technology into a nearly $4 billion industry.
His research in 3D metallic printing also extends to aerospace structures, leading to collaboration with NASA to bring 3D printing technology for future endeavors to colonize the moon and Mars. Bandyopadhyay’s research has impacted institutions worldwide, with his work being covered by numerous news agencies and his book on additive manufacturing becoming a standard textbook in universities worldwide. During his 27 years at WSU, he has continued to push boundaries in 3D manufacturing through his innovative work.
| 2023-2024 | Jon Michael Oatley, School of Molecular Biosciences |
| 2022-2023 | Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe, Psychology |
| 2021-2022 | Olusola Adesope, Kinesiology and Educational Psychology |
| 2020-2021 | Hans P.A. Van Dongen |
| 2019-2020 | Gregory W. Yasinitsky |
| 2018-19 | Susmita Bose, Mechanical and Materials Engineering |
| 2017-18 | William M. Hamlin, English |
| 2016-17 | Douglas R. Call, Veterinary Medicine |
| 2015-16 | Diane Cook, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science |
| 2014-15 | Kenneth L. Nash, Chemistry |
| 2013-14 | Thomas Besser, Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology |
| 2012-13 | Kerry W. Hipps, Chemistry |
| 2011-12 | Wendy C. Brown, Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology |