Cleveland State University is made great by the dedicated faculty and staff who impact our students daily through Engaged Learning and leadership by example. Many were recognized on October 5 at the annual CSU Golden Apple Awards ceremony in the Student Center Atrium. Sponsored by the university’s Young Alumni Council (YAC), the Golden Apple Awards are given to faculty and staff who have made positive impressions on alumni who have graduated in recent years. The awards were presented as a part of the 2021 homecoming festivities. The awards were announced publicly last week.

“This event illustrates just how much of an impact all of you have,” said President Harlan Sands, addressing the audience. “It is a statement of who we are and how strong our brand is. When we say that we are changing lives every day when you get a CSU degree, it changes the whole trajectory of not just your life, but your whole family’s life. And that is because of you.”

YAC leaders Enas Enzerra and Joseph Bianchini echoed those sentiments before introducing Sands – praising the drive and commitment of the winners, sharing comments echoed on the alumni-penned nomination forms and encouraging all faculty, staff, students and alumni present to stay engaged.

Anne-Marie Connors, associate vice president for Alumni Relations and executive director of the Alumni Association, thanked alumni for “taking the time to recognize the impact that special faculty and staff have had on their lives” and thanked the YAC for planning the event. At the conclusion of Connors’ remarks, the award winners were called to receive award certificates and Golden Apple lapel pins.

About CSU’s Young Alumni Association

A constituent committee of CSU’s Alumni Association, YAC advances the association of more than 120,000 members by creating and supporting programs and services that specifically benefit recent graduates and current students.

Since 2014, the annual YAC-sponsored awards have aimed to recognize outstanding contributions of faculty and staff through the process of alumni nominations. Membership is available to alumni who are 35 years old or younger, have received their degree in the last ten years and “desire to serve CSU through volunteerism and philanthropy.” Interested CSU alumni can learn more by visiting the Young Alumni Council FAQ.

2021 Golden Apple Award Winners

Meredith Bond, Ph.D. - College of Sciences and Health Professions

Alexander Borisov, Ph.D. - Physics Department

Chung Sun, Ph.D. - Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Aleksandar Drobac - Enrollment Services Processing

Ashley Fisher - School of Nursing

Melanie Gagich, Ph.D. - English Department

Lydia Grebenyova, Ph.D. - Department of Criminology, Anthropology and Sociology

Michael Hammonds, Ph.D. - School of Health Sciences

Frederick Hampton, Ed.D. - Counseling, Administration, Supervision & Adult Learning

Thijs Heus, Ph.D. - Physics Department

Benjamin Hoffman, Ph.D. - Accounting Department

Holly Holsinger, MFA - Department of Theatre and Dance

Dana Hubbard, Ph.D. - Department of Criminology, Anthropology and Sociology

Stephanie Kent, Ph.D. - Department of Criminology, Anthropology and Sociology

Irina Koukhanova, MFA - Department of Art and Design

Emily Kullman, Ph.D. - Department of Health and Human Performance, Education and Exercise Science

Jeffrey Lewis, Ph.D. - Political Science Department

Barbara Modney, Ph.D. - Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences

Daniel Munther, Ph.D. - Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Meghan Novisky, Ph.D. - Department of Criminology, Anthropology and Sociology

Edward O'Donnell, CPA - Accounting Department

Josiah Owusu-Danquah, Ph.D. - Civil and Environmental Engineering Department

Richard Perloff, Ph.D. - School of Communication

Francis Roncagli, DBA - Finance Department

Tobili Sam-Yellowe, Ph.D. - Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences

Justin Simmerer - Department of Mathematics/Statistics

Patricia Stoddard Dare, Ph.D. - School of Social Work

Nicole Strah - formerly of the Physics Department (current doctoral student)

Bin Su, Ph.D. - Chemistry Department

Barbara Szigeti, MA - College of Sciences and Health Professions Advising Center

Elizabeth Thomas, Ph.D. - School of Communication

Phillip Wanyerka, Ph.D. - Department of Criminology, Anthropology and Sociology

Ilya Yaroslavsky, Ph.D. - Psychology Department

Kuzey Yilmaz, Ph.D. - Economics Department

Congratulations and deep respect to all the 2021 honorees!