Jay Gogue Interim President | New Mexico State University-Main Campus
Jay Gogue Interim President | New Mexico State University-Main Campus
Two faculty members from New Mexico State University's College of Arts and Sciences have been recognized with the Donald C. Roush Award for Teaching Excellence. The awards were presented at a ceremony on February 19 in Milton Hall.
Enrico Pontelli, dean of NMSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, stated, “This recognition underscores the outstanding work of our faculty. Dr. Chinnasamy and professor D’Antonio-Hangen exemplify the high standards we strive for at NMSU, and their impact on students is immeasurable. Their passion for teaching inspires excellence across campus.”
The award recipients are Ramesh Chinnasamy, a college associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and Ida D’Antonio-Hangen, a college assistant professor in criminal justice. They were chosen for their exceptional teaching abilities and commitment to student success.
Chinnasamy has been acknowledged for his approach to teaching complex scientific concepts related to metal-catalyzed synthetic methodology in organic chemistry. Shelley Lusetti, head of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, praised his contributions: “Ramesh, as well as all of our faculty and professors have done a great job of preparing our students for what comes next.” Chinnasamy expressed gratitude by saying, “To be changing the lives of these students and challenging our students and being a part of getting them to graduation, I am very happy, thank you for this award.”
D’Antonio-Hangen is noted for her dedication to mentoring students in criminal justice theory and practice. Dennis Giever, head of the Department of Criminal Justice, highlighted her influence: “She’s retired from the FBI, and many students come in interested in federal law enforcement or federal agencies. She does an outstanding job of mentoring these students.” He also mentioned her advocacy for the "30 by 30" initiative aimed at increasing female representation in law enforcement.
D’Antonio-Hangen shared her approach: “It was my FBI experience in the real world, and I pass that on to my students,” she said. She aims to provide practical experiences through her classes.
The ceremony underscored the importance of quality teaching and its impact on student development. Both awardees were nominated by peers for their ability to engage and inspire.
For further details or information about previous award winners, visit https://convocation.nmsu.edu/awards/roush.html.
Alerts Sign-up