Inspired by the April 2015 challenge by Jim Gallogly, the college's namesake, to pursue excellence, the Pursuit of Excellence Award honors those who regularly and selflessly serve the college with excellence in all they do. Presented at the fall Board of Advisors meeting, the awards are among the highest recognition given by the college. In addition to a cash award, recipients receive a certificate of distinction.
Introducing the class of 2023 Pursuit of Excellence Award recipients:
Graduate Student Award - Buket Cilali
Buket Cilali is pursuing a doctoral degree in industrial and systems engineering. She has served as a teaching assistant and has contributed to the research enterprise through contributions that include publishing a book chapter, a conference paper and a journal paper. Students appreciate her willingness to help. She serves the OU student chapter of INFORMS and the organizing committee of the international organization Forecasting for Social Good.
Staff Award – Aaron Henley
Aaron Henley is the administrative assistant to the director and office manager for the School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. He obtained a bachelor's degree in religious studies in 2007 from OU. He is responsible for coordinating appointments of teaching and research assistants, managing purchases, maintaining the school’s social media sites and hosting many events.
Undergraduate Student Award – Haley Taffe
Haley Taffe is majoring in biomedical engineering and minoring in both chemistry and microbiology. She has participated in the OU Pediatric Emergency Medicine Research Associates Program, where she performed pediatric clinical research at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. She has also worked on a design project team and in several research labs. These research endeavors have afforded her experience in developing targeted therapies and nanomedicines for cancer. She has served as a teaching assistant and mentor for multiple sections of Engineering Pathways and Professional Development. She has served hundreds of students while demonstrating the highest levels of excellence, empathy and leadership.
Faculty Award – Ziho Kang
Ziho Kang, Ph.D. is an associate professor in the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering. He mentors students as they advance through their engineering curriculum, whether they are enrolled in his course or not. He has a natural talent for gently nudging students to reach their highest potential, helping them to excel as they earn their engineering degree(s).
By Karen Kelly, Gallogly College of Engineering
