The keynote speaker was Brian Smentkowski, Ph.D., associate professor of political science at Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, and a National Carnegie Scholar. Highlighting the luncheon was the announcement of two new awards. The Distinguished Faculty Service Award, given to a faculty member who has gone above and beyond to assist students and in their service to the University, and the Outstanding Department Chair Award, given to recognize and honor the diligent work of department chairs.

Ann Wentz, Ph.D., former associate professor of education, received the Distinguished Faculty Service Award, and Jane Wood, Ph.D., chair of the English Department and associate professor of English, received the Outstanding Department Chair Award.

In addition, 16 faculty were also recognized as "outstanding faculty" or "outstanding part-time faculty." They are:

Outstanding Faculty
• Joan Aitken, Ed.D., professor of communication arts
• Lisa Bunkowski, Ph.D., assistant professor of history
• Wen-Jung Hsin, Ph.D., associate professor of information and computer science
• Andrew Johnson, Ph.D., professor of psychology
• Nicolas Koudou, Ph.D., associate professor of business administration and director of the Master of Business Administration program
• Leslie Lewis, assistant professor of management and human resources
• Deborah Osborne, Ph.D., associate professor of English and linguistics
• Linda Seybert, Ph.D., associate professor of education

Oustanding Part-Time Faculty
• Virginia Chapman, adjunct instructor of computer science
• Rodney Christensen, adjunct instructor of athletic training
• Paul Ford, adjunct instructor of marketing
• Joseph Kubec, senior instructor of economics and management
• Scott McQuerry, adjunct instructor of education
• Jack Nesbitt, senior adjunct instructor of business administration
• Robert Osborne, senior adjunct instructor of accounting
• Jean Van Harlingen, adjunct instructor of art and design