At Michigan State University, impact begins with people. In the 2024-25 academic year, Spartan faculty earned some of the nation’s most prestigious academic honors, reflecting their individual excellence and the university’s commitment to discovery, creativity and service to communities. These accolades celebrate academic excellence and support the work and lives of scientists, researchers and educators, encouraging them to continue fueling creative innovation and pursuing solutions to big questions that will shape our future.

As MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., has said, the growing list of honorifics awarded to Spartan faculty year after year “bolsters MSU’s legacy as one of the most societally impactful universities.”

Meet the honorees who received these highly prestigious accolades that span the disciplines of jazz, medicine, the humanities and science. 

Masters in music

Not just one, but two professors from the regarded jazz program in MSU’s College of Music were honored with major recognition. Rodney Whitaker, University Distinguished Professor of Jazz Bass and director of Jazz Studies, was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for his outstanding contributions to the performing arts. At MSU, Whitaker has built one of the most distinguished jazz degree programs and performing faculty groups in the nation.

Michael Dease, Red Cedar Distinguished Professor of Jazz Trombone, was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, recognizing the forward-thinking trombonist’s contributions to jazz. Dease was among 198 individuals chosen from a pool of more than 3,500 applicants and received the honor as part of the fellowship’s 100th anniversary class.

Scientists for life

Three MSU researchers — Christoph Benning, Jianguo “Jack” Liu and Philip Robertson — were elected to the National Academy of Sciences, among the highest honors in scientific research. The three researchers are driving positive change across our state, nation and world.

A University Distinguished Professor and MSU Research Foundation Professor in the College of Natural Science, Benning is an inventor and one of the world’s foremost experts in plant lipid metabolism. He directs the MSU-Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory and has discovered several new genes and identified proteins in plants, focusing on their functions and what makes them resilient.

Teresa Woodruff, a pioneering researcher in obstetrics, gynecology, reproductive biology and biomedical engineering, received her second presidential honor this year.

Liu, the founder and director of the Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, blends natural and social sciences, policy and technology to promote global environmental sustainability. The University Distinguished Professor and the Rachel Carson Chair in Sustainability in the College of Natural Science and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is known for his trailblazing work understanding the complex interactions in the giant panda habitat in China.

And Robertson, who is an internationally recognized crop and soil scientist and ecosystem ecologist, has dedicated more than four decades to research focused on the biogeochemistry and productivity of field crop ecosystems and landscapes. He is a University Distinguished Professor of ecosystem science with the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and College of Natural Science.

Teresa Woodruff, MSU Research Foundation Professor in the departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology as well as Biomedical Engineering, was bestowed the National Medal of Science by then-President Joe Biden in early January. As a leader in reproductive science, Woodruff’s innovative research has resulted in breakthroughs and independent discoveries that have made an immeasurable impact on the lives of thousands of patients and their families around the world. A trailblazer in women’s health and president emerita — this is Woodruff’s second presidential honor recognizing her groundbreaking work and humanitarian academic leadership. 

Gender and society expert stef shuster was granted recognition for their groundbreaking insights and research in the social sciences. Photo courtesy of Lyman Briggs College

Scientist for change

In their work, stef shuster examines the experiences of transgender individuals seeking reproductive care as well as how health professionals approach individuals who seek gender-affirming care. In recognition of their novel research in the humanities, shuster, associate professor in Lyman Briggs College and the Department of Sociology, was selected for a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship. This competitive award is granted to scholars with exceptional research, rigorous analysis and clear writing in the humanities.

With this fellowship, shuster was able to fully dedicate their time to writing “Trans Reproduction: Creating Productive and Socially Fit Transgender People,” their in-progress book that explores the experiences of transgender individuals seeking reproductive care since the mid-20th century and contemporaneous medical and scientific attitudes toward gender and reproductive care.

Explore more faculty honorifics on the Office of the Provost’s website.