Purdue Fort Wayne to honor Featured Faculty for 2025

Four Purdue University Fort Wayne educators will be honored as recipients of the 2025 Featured Faculty Award during a recognition luncheon on Wednesday. The annual awards are being presented to Suining Ding, professor of interior design; Michael Kirchner, associate professor of organizational leadership; Sarah LeBlanc, associate professor of interpersonal communication; and Richard Weiner, chair and professor of history.

Featured Faculty are singled out for their outstanding performance in research, scholarly activity, creative endeavors, teaching, or engagement. As a quality measure that distinguishes PFW from other institutions of higher education, these accomplishments illustrate the comprehensive and significant contributions of the university’s faculty in the creation of new knowledge, the fostering of student curiosity, and scholarship of engagement at PFW and beyond.

“Featured Faculty is a competitive award, and the quality of the submissions is high each and every year,” said Kimberly O’Connor, associate vice chancellor for teaching and learning. “The faculty at Purdue University Fort Wayne exemplify innovation, dedication, and excellence across their disciplines. Their work not only advances knowledge and creative practice, but also makes a lasting impact on students, the community, and the broader professional landscape.”

Along with being outstanding teachers, this year’s four honorees have also done extensive work to better northeast Indiana and the world.

“PFW faculty shape industries, communities, and academic fields on a national and global scale,” O’Connor said. “They drive meaningful change, influence professional practices, and contribute to solving real-world challenges. Their work elevates the university’s reputation and inspires collaboration and innovation across disciplines.”