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Three 5X���� faculty members were honored with the 2016 Outstanding Research and Scholarship Awards at a ceremony that took place on April 5 in University Library.

This year’s recipients were selected from a large number of nominees by the University Research Council chaired by Franç��ise Messardier-Kenney, director of Kent State’s Institute for Applied Linguistics. The recipients are Richard Ferdig, Ph.D., professor of instructional technology; Joel Hughes, Ph.D., professor of psychology; and Polycarp A. Ikuenobe, Ph.D., professor of philosophy.

“We’re very proud of the accomplishments of these three faculty members who have brought distinction to the university over the past many years,” says Paul E. DiCorleto, Ph.D., Kent State’s vice president for research. “They were chosen from a truly excellent group of nominees. Their scholarly activities highlight the wide breadth and high caliber of research at Kent State.”

The event, supported by the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs, was part of Kent State’s Faculty Appreciation Week. The week included a variety of faculty appreciation events hosted by the Office of the Provost.

The ceremony featured comments from Todd Diacon, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost; James Bracken, dean of University Libraries; and DiCorleto.  Also honored at the event were faculty authors who published books during the past academic year.

Richard Ferdig, Ph.D.

Ferdig works in Kent State’s Research Center for Educational Technology in the School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences. His research, teaching and service focus on combining cutting-edge technologies with current teaching theory to create innovative learning environments. His research interests include online education, educational games and simulations, the role of faith in technology, and what he labels, a deeper psychology of technology.

For more information about Ferdig, visit www.kent.edu/ehhs/ldes/itec/profile/dr-richard-ferdig.

Joel Hughes, Ph.D.

Hughes' research interests are in clinical health psychology. He specializes in cardiovascular behavioral medicine. For example, he uses the tools of cardiovascular psychosocial factors, such as the impact of depression and traumatic stress on cardiovascular disease risk. He also is interested in the role of psychosocial factors, such as cognitive impairment, depression and social support in patient self-management of such conditions as heart failure and hypertension.

For more information about Hughes, visit www.kent.edu/psychology/profile/joel-w-hughes.

Polycarp A. Ikuenobe, Ph.D.

Ikuenobe’s research has focused on traditional issues regarding the nature and role of morality and reason in legal, social and political issues, such as adjudication, globalization, multiculturalism, liberalism, democracy, community, colonialism, patriotism, racism and moral ignorance. He has examined the meta-philosophical, logical, epistemological and metaphysical foundations for African communalism. He has argued that African communal values can provide the normative foundation for addressing the problems in many post-colonial African countries.

For more information about Ikuenobe, visit www.kent.edu/philosophy/profile/polycarp-ikuenobe.

For more information about research at Kent State, visit www.kent.edu/research.