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Every year, the School of H&K asks students to nominate deserving part-time faculty for the Aja Kneip Pelster Part-Time Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award. A committee of full-time and part-time faculty reviews the nominations students submit and selects the winner.

The winner is recognized at the annual H&K Awards Banquet in the spring.

This award is named in honor of the late Dr. Aja Kneip Pelster, who served UNO and the School of Health and Kinesiology for over a decade in multiple roles, including graduate assistant, part-time faculty member, instructor, and assistant professor. Dr. Kneip Pelster is best remembered for her dedication to high-quality teaching and mentoring students. She was a previous recipient of this award.

Faculty, staff, and students from the School of Health and Kinesiology would like to recognize part-time faculty for their contributions and to honor the Aja Kneip Pelster Part-Time Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award recipients.

Nadria Beale

Nadria earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2021.

Lauren has been with the School of Health & Kinesiology for three years, teaching ballroom dance.

Mark Frillman

Mark earned his Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations from Doane University 1993. Mark also completed his Eppley Treatment Center Conselor Training/Certification Program at Methodist Hospital in 1986 and is a registere provider for the Nebraska Criminal Justice System.

Mark has been with the School of Health & Kinesiology for thirteen years, teaching substance abuse and misuse.

The following instructors are recognized for their years of teaching service:

Five Years: Kristal Flaming, Kate Kough, Nicole Malene, Amanda Murtaugh, and Megan Range.

Ten Years: Jessica Hessel and Katie Reutzel

Fifteen Years: Danielle Laurion

Thirty Years: Michele Merrill

Previous Winners

2023 - Lauren Paulsen Smith & Mary Watson

2022 - Stacy Hartwig & Megan Mikolajczyk

2021 - Nicole Malene & Skyler Brooke

2020 - Whitney Vessar

2019 - Jen Pflug & Matt Dykstra

2018 - Brent Bloom & Mark Frillman

2017 - Mary Watson & Jon Day

2016 - Tracy Stratman, Kent Templien & Stacia Weaver

2015 - Rita Corell

2014 - Glen Wragge

2013 - Aja Kneip Pelster

2012 - Marcia Adler

2011-2012 - Jon Carey, Matt Dykstra & Chris Gadsden

2010-2011 - Jeff Kaipust & Chris Richardson

2009-2010 - Craig Johnson & Bob Herold

2008-2009 - Beth Gruber & Rose Shires

2007-2008 - Glen Wragge & Ted Anderson

2006-2007 - Mary Waugh-Taylor & Lisa Schniepp

2005-2006 - Caroline Olson & Chad Kinart

2004-2005 - Pat Behrns & Joe Kaminski

2003-2004 - Don Klosterman & Suk Ki Shin

2002-2003 - Michele Merrill & Mike Denney

2001-2002 - Rusty Mckune & Jason Paladino

2000-2001 - Karen Povondra & Mark Williams

1999-2000 - Marti Rosen Atherton

1998-1999 - Sue Selde & Tom Frette