Faculty Excellence Reinforces MSU’s Reputation for Research and Public Service

Distinguished Awards Highlight MSU's Impact in Science, Arts, and Humanities

At Michigan State University, excellence is not merely an aspiration; it is an expectation shaped by the individuals who bring knowledge to life. Throughout the 2024–25 academic year, MSU faculty members have been consistently recognised at the national level, earning some of the United States’ most prestigious academic honours. These accolades represent far more than individual distinction; they also reflect the university’s enduring commitment to advancing research, nurturing creativity, and driving meaningful engagement within the wider community.

President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, PhD, remarked that the university’s rising number of faculty honours each year strengthens its reputation as one of the most societally impactful institutions in the nation. This year’s recipients span diverse disciplines, including jazz, medicine, the humanities, and science, highlighting the breadth and depth of MSU’s academic influence. Notably, two professors from the university’s celebrated Jazz Programme within the College of Music received significant national acclaim. Rodney Whitaker, University Distinguished Professor of Jazz Bass and Director of Jazz Studies, was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in recognition of his contribution to the performing arts. He is widely credited with building one of the nation’s premier jazz programmes and assembling a top-tier faculty of performers.

Alongside him, Michael Dease, Red Cedar Distinguished Professor of Jazz Trombone, was awarded a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship as part of the foundation’s centenary cohort. Selected from over 3,500 applicants, Professor Dease was recognised for his innovative contributions to jazz, joining a class of only 198 recipients. In the scientific domain, three MSU scholars, Christoph Benning, Jianguo “Jack” Liu, and Philip Robertson, were elected to the esteemed National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honours conferred on researchers in the United States. Their collective work is generating considerable impact at local, national, and global levels.

Professor Benning, an expert in plant lipid metabolism and Director of the MSU–Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory, is credited with identifying key genes and proteins that enhance plant resilience. Professor Liu, founder and Director of the Centre for Systems Integration and Sustainability, was honoured for his interdisciplinary work combining natural sciences, social sciences, policy, and technology to advance environmental sustainability. His groundbreaking research includes long-term studies of human–wildlife interactions, particularly within China’s giant panda habitat.

Professor Robertson, a leading authority in crop and soil science and ecosystem ecology, has contributed over four decades of research into the productivity and biogeochemistry of agricultural systems. He holds appointments at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the College of Natural Science.  In the medical sciences, Professor Teresa Woodruff received the National Medal of Science from President Joe Biden in January, her second presidential honour. As a pioneer in reproductive biology and women's health, her research has made a profound difference in both scientific understanding and the lives of patients and families worldwide.

Equally notable is Associate Professor Stef Shuster, from Lyman Briggs College and the Department of Sociology, who was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship. Their work focuses on the experiences of transgender individuals seeking reproductive care and how medical professionals deliver gender-affirming treatments. The fellowship supports the writing of their forthcoming book, Trans Reproduction: Creating Productive and Socially Fit Transgender People, which explores the evolution of medical and societal perspectives on transgender reproductive care since the mid-20th century. Together, these accomplishments reflect individual brilliance and affirm Michigan State University’s role as a beacon of scholarly innovation and public impact.

Editor’s Note

The faculty at Michigan State University exemplifies the profound impact of knowledge and passion combined. The accolades received during the 2024–25 academic year signify more than mere awards; they underscore that substantial influence frequently originates from devoted individuals engaged in meticulous and significant work. From the arts and sciences to health and social research, MSU scholars are profoundly affecting individuals' lives. Their contributions not only elevate the university’s standing but also inspire subsequent generations of students and researchers. These distinctions mirror the core values upheld by MSU: excellence, creativity, and public service.

Skoobuzz hopes that other academic institutions would do well to consider MSU’s paradigm as evidence that prioritising individuals and purpose can yield truly extraordinary results.