K-State recognizes outstanding graduate faculty members
Friday, Oct. 4, 2024
President Richard Linton and other university leadership surprised the recipients of the 2024-2025 Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Foundation Distinguished Faculty Award in their classroooms to notify them of their selection.
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University has recognized two outstanding graduate faculty members with the prestigious 2024-2025 Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Foundation Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award.
This year's awardees are Sherry Haar, professor of interior design and fashion studies, and Bala Natarajan, professor of electrical and computer engineering.
University leadership surprised the recipients in their classrooms to notify them of their selection.
The award, funded by the W.T. Kemper Foundation and Commerce Bank, honors current graduate faculty who are recognized nationally and internationally for their outstanding scholarly achievements and their contributions to graduate education at the university. Award recipients receive an honorarium and will deliver public lectures on their research to the campus community.
"Commerce Bank and the W.T. Kemper Foundation are very proud to continue our support of Kansas State University's outstanding graduate faculty. This year was particularly exciting as we were able to surprise the recipients in class, among their students, and celebrate together," said Shawn Drew, market president and CEO of Commerce Bank, Manhattan. "Drs. Haar and Natarajan are wonderful educators and researchers, and they are fully invested in their students. We are honored to recognize them for their outstanding work."
Haar's research in the College of Health and Human Sciences emphasizes ecological and sustainable design, focusing on natural dyes in textile design practice and scientific evaluation.
"I am deeply honored to be recognized for contributions to graduate education that merge scientific inquiry with artistic expression," Haar said.
A prolific scholar, Haar has received numerous accolades for her contributions, including two patents for therapeutic designs aimed at assisting children with sensory dysfunctions. She teaches a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate courses, fostering the next generation of leaders in fashion and textile studies.
"The mentoring relationship with graduate students is one of the most meaningful experiences in my academic journey. I am grateful for the support of our learners, my peers, K-State leadership and the generosity of the Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Foundation," Haar said.
Natarajan holds the Clair N. Palmer and Sara M. Palmer Electrical Engineering Professorship in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering and leads the Cyber-Physical Systems and Wireless Innovations Lab at K-State.
"The guiding principle of our research group is that education is for life, not just for a living," Natarajan said. "We care for our students and help them become the best they can be, both professionally and personally."
His core research expertise encompasses statistical signal processing, stochastic modeling and optimization theory, with applications spanning multiple domains, including cyber-physical systems — like smart grid and smart health — and wireless communications.
Natarajan's work includes advances in semantic communication systems, networked estimation and control in smart power distribution grids, resilience analysis of interconnected infrastructures, and learning and inferencing with limited data in biomedical applications. He has more than 275 refereed publications in these areas and has directed numerous successful doctoral and master's theses.
"This recognition inspires me to strive for even greater excellence in mentoring and educating the next generation of graduate students at K-State," Natarajan said.
The Haar and Natarajan will be recognized and celebrated for their successes on March 12 at 4 p.m. in the K-State Student Union Wildcat Chamber as part of the K-State Graduate Research Arts and Discovery Forum organized by the Graduate School. They will also be recognized at the Graduate School’s commencement ceremony in May 2025.
"This award reflects the dedication and innovation that Drs. Haar and Natarajan both bring to their research and their mentorship of graduate students," said Claudia Petrescu, dean of the Graduate School. "Their work not only advances knowledge in their fields but also deeply enriches the academic journey of graduate students. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and their lasting impact on the K-State community."
