Graduate School

Commerce Bank and WT Kemper Foundation Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award

The Commerce Bank and WT Kemper Foundation Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award honors graduate faculty who are recognized nationally and internationally for their outstanding scholarly achievements and for their contributions to graduate education. Recipients of the award receive an honorarium, and are recognized at the Graduate School commencement and at a separate celebration coordinated by the Graduate School.

SherryHaar

Dr. Sherry Haar

Professor of interior design and fashion studies

About Dr. Haar

BalaNatarajan

Dr. Bala Natarajan

Professor of electrical and computer engineering

About Dr. Natarajan


Nomination process

Nomination deadline: September 15, 2025

Required materials to submit in the nomination:

  1. Letter of nomination
    • highlights the major accomplishments of the nominee while a graduate faculty at K-State: nominee’s contributions to graduate education at K-State, scholarly achievements, and professional contributions
    • describes why the nominee merits the award
    • maximum three pages
  2. The nominee’s curriculum vitae
  3. Contact information for five references
    • Two references who are knowledgeable about the nominee’s contributions to graduate education at K-State. For each reference provide name, professional title, email address, professional background and relationship to the nominee
    • Three references knowledgeable about the nominee’s scholarly achievements. These individuals should be national and international leaders in their fields and external to K-State. For each reference provide name, professional title, email address, professional background and relationship to the nominee

Nominees will be considered for three consecutive years and materials may be updated annually, if desired. After a one-year hiatus, the individual may be nominated again but a new nomination packet must be submitted.

Submit a nomination