Second Annual Department of Political Science Banquet Honors Distinguished Teaching and Research Award Winners

Photo Credit: Political science students and faculty standing around award recipients
by Sarah Wagelie Tue, 09/15/2015 - 11:31

Photo above: From left, Sarah Applegate (former member of the Undergraduate Advisory Board), Dr. Kevin Smith (current chair of the Department), Dr. Tyler R. White (recipient of the 2015 Carroll R. McKibbin Distinguished Teaching Award), Carroll R. McKibbin (former chair of the Department), Dr. Dona-Gene Barton (recipient of the 2015 Carroll R. McKibbin Distinguished Research Award), Kevin Adler (former member of the Undergraduate Advisory Board), and Janae Aune and Sarah Wagelie (current members of the Undergraduate Advisory Board). 


On September 9th, 2015, the Political Science Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln held a banquet to honor the Second Annual Carroll R. and Lynn McKibbin Distinguished Teaching and Research Award winners. Tyler White, assistant professor of practice, won the teaching award, and Dona-Gene Barton, associate professor, received the research award.

The awards were generously funded by Carroll R. McKibbin, a former chair of the Political Science Department, and his wife Lynn. Carroll and Lynn have been strong supporters of the Department of Political Science and the University for a number of years.

The Carroll R. McKibbin Distinguished Teaching Award winner was selected by the Political Science Undergraduate Advisory Board. The Undergraduate Advisory Board surveyed Political Science majors, asking them to nominate their favorite professors. In addition to simply nominating their professors, they were asked why this professor should receive a teaching award, how this professor challenged them, and how this professor assisted them. Armed with their responses, the Undergraduate Advisory Board selected Professor White as the 2015 winner of the Carroll R. McKibbin Distinguished Teaching Award in recognition of sustained excellence in teaching. Political Science Alumni and former member of the Undergraduate Advisory Board, Kevin Adler, presented the award along with Carroll McKibbin. 

After receiving the award, Professor White said, “While I am very humbled and appreciative of the award, the award is really representative of the department. I have learned so much from the great teachers in our department and all of my teaching role models have come from the UNL Political Science department. So much of the credit really goes to the department. But it is also a nice reminder that what you do matters and it makes me all the more appreciative of the great opportunities that have been extended to me here at UNL.”

The Carroll R. McKibbin Distinguished Research Award winner was selected by an executive committee, which reviews the research record of all political science faculty members annually. Based on her outstanding record of publications and contributions to research over the previous three years, Professor Barton was selected by the committee as the 2015 winner of the 2015 winner of the Carroll R. McKibbin Distinguished Research Award in recognition of excellence in research. The award was presented by current chair of the Department of Political Science, Kevin Smith, along with Carroll McKibbin.

Professor Barton said, “I’m honored to receive the Carroll R. McKibbin Distinguished Research Award. I would like to again express my gratitude to Carroll and Lynn McKibbin for their support of the political science department here at UNL. Their investment in our department is helping to continue the long tradition here at UNL of commitment to both teaching and research. I’m humbled to be a part of this tradition and I’m grateful to receive this recognition for my research productivity which has been tremendously enhanced due in large part to being surrounded by a set of colleagues who set a high bar in terms of research quality and output.”

Members of the Political Science faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students gathered to celebrate the achievements of Dr. White and Dr. Barton, as well as the continued support and generosity of Carroll and Lynn McKibbin. The Department is grateful to the McKibbins, and wishes to extend their congratulations to Dr. White and Dr. Barton on their much-deserved awards.