2025 ECE department awards highlight exceptional academic community

As the 2025 academic year came to a close, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison brought together faculty, staff, and graduate students to celebrate a year of impressive accomplishments. The annual awards program honors individuals whose work has advanced the department through pioneering research, outstanding teaching, impactful mentorship, and generous service. Each awardee embodies the innovation and commitment that define the ECE community. Awards were presented by ECE Department Chair Susan Hagness.

Award Recipients

Gerald Holdridge Teaching Excellence Award – This award honors faculty instructors whose exceptional teaching, creative instructional methods, and commitment to improving learning experiences have significantly advanced the department’s educational mission.
Mark and Jenny Brandemuehl Assistant Professor Jeremy Coulson

Gerald Holdridge TA Teaching Excellence Awards – This award recognizes Teaching Assistants who go above and beyond in supporting the department’s teaching mission through outstanding instruction and innovative approaches that enhance student learning.
Jiangang Chen, Silvia Jordache (photo top of page), Peter Kaladius, Bhumesh Kumar, and Joseph Shenouda

Harold Peterson Outstanding Dissertation Award – This award honors a PhD student whose dissertation reflects an exceptional individual contribution to their field of study, demonstrating depth, originality, and impact in their research.
Hongyan Mei
Thesis Title – Colossal optical anisotropy from atomic-scale modulations

Outstanding Graduate Student Mentor:  This award honors ECE faculty members who demonstrate exceptional dedication to mentoring graduate students, fostering their academic, professional, and personal growth.
Associate Professor Joshua San Miguel (not present at event)

ECE Outstanding Assistant Professor Mentoring Award – This award recognizes senior faculty members who provide outstanding mentorship to junior colleagues, offering guidance, support, and inspiration that help shape their early academic careers.
Professor and Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor Parmesh Ramanathan

Department Administrative Service Award – This award honors ECE administrative staff whose exceptional contributions throughout the year have meaningfully enhanced the experiences of students, faculty, and staff peers.
Assistant Department Administrator Delight Hensler

Department Faculty Service Award – This award recognizes a faculty member whose dedicated service to the department, university, and academic community has had a lasting and positive impact on the institution’s mission and growth.
Associate Chair for Research, Grainger Institute for Engineering Associate Professor Kassem Fawaz