Fall Teaching Awards 2023
Four faculty members have been recognized for preclinical teaching excellence in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. Drs. M.M. Chengappa, Matthew Basel, Butch KuKanich and the late Warren Beard were each named as the respective top teachers for the first, second and third years of instruction, as voted on by each respective class of students for their teaching efforts in the 2022-2023 school year.
“As they chose the winners of this year’s annual teaching awards, students honored the lifetime contributions of teaching dedication by Drs. Chengappa and Beard as well as recognizing the continuing excellence of repeat award winners Drs. Basel and KuKanich,” said Dr. James Roush, associate dean for academic programs and student success. “While the retirement of University Distinguished Professor Chengappa and the unexpected passing of Professor Warren Beard are challenging losses to our academic programs, I’m encouraged by the continuing dedication to teaching excellence shown by the entire CVM faculty and particularly by colleagues like Drs. Basel and KuKanich.”
Dr. Chengappa was presented with one of two 2023 Nestlé Purina Teaching Excellence Awards in recognition of outstanding instruction of first-year veterinary students. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Veterinary Science at Mysore Veterinary College in Bangalore, India, in 1970 and 1973, respectively. Dr. Chengappa received his Master of Science and his doctorate from Michigan State University in 1977 and 1981, respectively. He became a board-certified veterinary microbiologist in 1981. He has been a faculty member for over 42 years, mostly at Kansas State University in the College of Veterinary Medicine. During his K-State tenure, he served as department head from 1997 to 2016, director of Veterinary Diagnostic Lab from 1997 to 2001, and director of the Food Animal Health Center from 2000 to 2005 in the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Derek and Hodes Family Dean Dr. Bonnie Rush present a first-year teaching award to Dr. M.M. Chengappa.
"I am honored and humbled by this recognition, especially since it is coming from the students," said Dr. Chengappa, who taught baceteriology and mycology to first-year students. "It is the biggest honor you can get in academic enterprise."
Dr. Basel earned a Ph.D. in biological chemistry from Kansas State University in 2010 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in nanomedicine and cancer therapy. He is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Anatomy and Physiology and is heavily involved in teaching in the first year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine core and elective courses, as well as microanatomy and physiology in the nonthesis master’s program. Dr. Basel’s research interests include designing better cancer models and cell-based and/or nanomedicine approaches to cancer therapy, and he is a member of the Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer Research.
Dr. Hans Coetzee and Hodes Family Dean Dr. Bonnie Rush present a first-year teaching award to Dr. Matt Basel.
“Teaching in the veterinary program has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” Dr. Basel said. “I deeply value the enthusiasm and dedication of the students and enjoy getting to work with them during their first year in veterinary school. I’m glad to know they enjoy me too!”
Dr. KuKanich was named recipient of the 2022 Elanco Teaching Excellence Award, which is presented in recognition of outstanding instruction of second-year veterinary students. He earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in 1997. Dr. KuKanich practiced in small animal clinics from 1997 to 2005, and he then received a Ph.D. in comparative biomedical sciences from North Carolina State University in 2005. While at NC State, he became a diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology. In 2021, Dr. KuKanich received the 2021 Zoetis Award for Veterinary Research Excellence from the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. KuKanich’s research program includes improving management of pain in dogs and other veterinary species, and his research teams have been awarded two patents for his novel research ideas.
“There are a couple of things that I love about my career," Dr. KuKanich said. "First, I love happy dogs! I also have a passion for pharmacology, and I love talking about it. I think the students appreciate my excitement for pharmacology and hopefully provides motivation for their learning. It makes me happy to see students succeed. I really appreciate the award and the students’ recognition. I also appreciate Elanco Animal Health for making this honor possible.”
Dr. Beard was chosen as recipient of the 2023 Teaching Excellence Award, in recognition of outstanding instruction of third-year veterinary students. He earned his bachelor’s degree (Magna Cum Laude) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees from Texas A&M University in 1982 and 1983 respectively. He completed his residency and received a master’s degree at Ohio State University in 1988, becoming a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1989. Dr. Beard joined the faculty at Kansas State University in 2004, where he was awarded the 2015 Teaching Excellence Award for outstanding instruction of third-year students and 2013 Excellence in Resident Mentoring, both from K-State. Dr. Beard was most recently involved in teaching the surgical skills elective, large animal junior surgery, and equine surgery. He passed away unexpectedly on July 24, 2023. His wife, Dr. Laurie Beard, is the head of equine internal medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine. She accepted this award on his behalf.
The late Dr. Warren Beard meets with a group of students.