Honorees recognized for innovation, collaboration and student-centered excellence in online education
The ninth annual Oregon State University Ecampus Awards recognize 13 outstanding faculty and university partners who contribute to the development and ongoing support of world-class online learning experiences for Oregon State’s distance students.
Innovation awards
The Ecampus Innovation Awards recognize innovation in online courses in the fields of design, pedagogy and media development. This year, two Oregon State faculty members were presented with Ecampus Innovation Awards.
Dan Faltesek
An associate professor in the College of Liberal Arts, Dan earned an innovation award for his exceptional collaboration with Ecampus to implement a secure instance of the softward program Stable Diffusion, which teaches his new media communications students about large language models and generative artificial intelligence.
His thoughtful approach to exploring the ethics and implications of this technology within the discipline provides students with a meaningful learning experience that will serve them well during and beyond their time at OSU.
Stephen Redfield
Stephen, a senior instructor in the College of Engineering, worked closely with the Ecampus media team to create an integrated calculator app for exams in his computer science course. This tool allows students to securely use a customized calculator within proctored quizzes, reducing stress and ultimately improving the use of these assessments for both students and members of the teaching team who review the exam attempts.
Appreciation Awards
The Ecampus Appreciation Award recognizes outstanding campus partners who have worked with Ecampus to make a substantial, positive impact on online programs and students.
Thom Field
The Ecampus Appreciation Award in the area of program and course development was given to Thom Field, a department head and associate professor in the College of Education. His tremendous leadership in preparing a new social work program for launch and his deep commitment to continuous improvement in the counseling program.
Thom collaborates closely with Ecampus and faculty to ensure high-quality, consistent, and enriching learning experiences for online students. He also develops courses, each modeling best practices, and explores new credentialing opportunities that could meet student needs. His thoughtful work on these programs will benefit students and faculty for years to come.
OSU Catalog and Curriculum Team
An Ecampus Appreciation Award was also given in the area of student support to the members of the OSU Catalog and Curriculum Team:
- Caryn Stoess
- Stephanie Baugh
- Meilianty Gunawan
- Janice Nave-Abele
- Ian Wilborn
- Belinda Sykes
- Mike Jefferis
The members of this team have been instrumental in administering curricular approval processes for Ecampus core education courses and “30×30” programs. Their work in responding to questions, clarifying requirements, and ensuring that requests move as quickly as possible has been critical in helping us move forward in expanding access to OSU programs.
At the end of a tremendously busy year, we recognize their outstanding dedication and support.
Student Choice Awards
The 2025 Ecampus Excellence in Online Teaching and Student Engagement Awards recognize three faculty members who exemplify excellence in online teaching and student engagement, as determined by current online student nominations.
This year, nearly 200 students nominated 130 faculty members for this award.
The 2025 Ecampus Excellence in Online Teaching and Student Engagement Awards were given to Adela Hall in the College of Liberal Arts; John Terhorst in the College of Science; and Ronald Tjaden in the College of Education.
Adela Hall
Adela was nominated for her strong engagement in online German courses and for the deep care that she demonstrates for students. Adela’s high expectations are coupled with strong encouragement and support, including timely, meaningful feedback that students say motivates their learning and forward progress in her courses.
One student nomination shared that, quote, “Professor Hall is clear and kind, and has provided me with academic support outside of the classroom as well. I started out taking German classes for fun… and it was Professor Hall who encouraged me to enroll in a degree-seeking program. … I am appreciative of how much I’ve learned from her.”
John Terhorst
John was nominated for going above and beyond in his support of students taking lower- and upper-division chemistry courses online. His students conveyed deep appreciation for his thorough instruction as well as his foresight and timely communication about common sticking points, and he showed commitment to guiding students who struggle with course concepts.
Multiple students praised how reachable and personable John is, with one student noting that, quote, “He is also very quick to answer any questions that students have and is always willing to discuss chemistry-related topics or questions beyond the required course materials. He brings a passion to the subject that further inspires and encourages his students.”
Ronald Tjaden
Ronald was nominated for his empathy, clear communication with students and emphasis on learning as a growth process. Students noted how inspired and motivated they felt by the kind of engaged community that Ronald fosters in the course.
One student said that, quote, “I felt genuinely engaged because he consistently encouraged participation and fostered thoughtful discussions that made me think critically. What made the biggest impact, however, was how Professor Tjaden listened intently, validated my perspectives, and encouraged me to share my thoughts without fear of judgment. That sense of safety and respect gave me the confidence to fully engage in the learning process.”
To discover how Oregon State faculty members and university partners develop award-winning online learning experiences, connect with the Ecampus team and explore the support resources available to you.
