department training, leading a university partnership with APOYO, and contributing to the Ellensburg community through a Ellensburg School District proposal to remove polystyrene trays from cafeterias. She also has been on a wide range of college and department committees. Letter writers hold up Dr. Kaspari as a role model for her service to the community, for her collaboration and collegiality, her commitment and determination, her leadership and advocacy for sustainability, as well as her generosity of time and energy. It is clear to the committee that Dr. Kaspari has excelled in service that has contributed to the welfare of individuals, professional organizations, the university, and the community at large. For this outstanding balance of teaching, scholarship, and service excellence, we offer our recommendation of Dr. Susan Kaspari for the Board of Trustees Distinguished Faculty Award for 2025 and congratulate her for her outstanding work at CWU. Distinguished Teaching Awards are given for teaching excellence, as demonstrated by breadth and depth of knowledge; clarity in methodology and organization of materials, and effective methods of presentation; continued scholarship and integration of scholarship into course work; assistance to students in understanding the value and relevance of the subject matter and course materials, both within the discipline and in a broader context. The following are this year’s recipients: Dr. Patrick McCutcheon, Distinguished Tenure Track Faculty Teaching Award, Department of Anthropology. For over 25 years, Dr. McCutcheon has been an exceptional educator, mentor, and scholar, leaving an indelible impact on his students, colleagues, and the field of anthropology. His dedication to teaching and mentorship has elevated CWU’s reputation and empowered countless students to succeed in academia and professional archaeology. Becoming a Distinguished Faculty at Central Washington University (CWU) is a profound honor that reflects a faculty member’s unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching and student mentorship. As teaching is our core function at CWU, receiving a Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching gets at the heart of who we are as an institution. This prestigious recognition is not only a personal milestone but also a testament to the professor’s ability to shape the academic and professional futures of their students. At CWU, Distinguished Faculty serve as role models, setting the standard for pedagogical innovation, student engagement, and research integration in the classroom. They embody the university’s mission of transformative education, ensuring that students receive both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for real-world success. For faculty members like Dr. McCutcheon, who have dedicated decades to developing rigorous curricula, leading field experiences, and mentoring students into accomplished professionals, achieving the Distinguished Professor title is a culmination of years of dedication. It validates the faculty member’s relentless pursuit of academic excellence, reinforces the impact of their student advocacy, and serves as an enduring recognition of their contributions to higher education. Students routinely comment on Dr. McCutcheon’s teaching effectiveness, highlighting his deep subject knowledge, engaging teaching style, and strong commitment to student success. Students frequently praise his ability to make complex topics accessible through real-world examples and hands-on learning experiences. His teaching evaluations consistently score highly, reflecting his high-quality instruction. Students describe Dr. McCutcheon as passionate, knowledgeable, and supportive, often noting that he genuinely cares about their learning and success. In his Spring 2024 ANTH 426 course, for example, a
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