More than 150 members of Bryant’s faculty gathered in the George E. Bello Center for Information and Technology’s Heidi and Walter Stepan Grand Hall for the final faculty meeting of the 2024-2025 academic year. Hugs were exchanged as old friends reconnected, and hands were extended in greeting as new connections were made. Professors of Finance traded notes with Professors of Information Systems and Analytics while biologists discussed their work, and their lives, with economists, mathematicians, and marketing experts.

It’s moments like this, said Lecturer of History, Literature, and the Arts Jennifer Horan, Ph.D., that embody the spirit of Bryant. “Being here, all together like this, it’s a reminder of how interconnected our work is, and how we are all there to support one another, as we support our students and the university, as well,” she pointed out.

Perhaps inevitably, conversation at most of the tables drifted to a united subject: Their students, the things they had accomplished, and how proud they were of them.

It was that focus that Ross Gittell, Ph.D., president of Bryant University, praised in his opening remarks. “I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing dedication to our students. Your work both inside and outside the classroom has made a lasting impact on them and on our university,” said Gittell.

These final weeks of the semester marked the culmination of an incredible year for Bryant, Gittell noted, one that saw the university rise in national and international rankings — including commendations from the Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, and QS Stars — the opening of the university’s Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center, with its new labs and opportunities for faculty/student collaboration, and, most recently, the announcement of Bryant’s largest incoming class in the university’s 162-year history.

“Your commitment to intellectual growth and student success is what drives Bryant’s strength and rising reputation,” he said.

But the university’s biggest achievement, Gittell argued, can be measured in the success of this graduating class, who would be awarded their degrees in less than two weeks. “Their resilience, achievement, and promise reflect the best of Bryant and the impact of your teaching, mentorship, and care,” Gittell reminded the faculty members in attendance.

“It has been an incredibly busy year, full of both change and preparation for more change. That makes it all the more for all of us to take time to pause, reflect, recognize and celebrate our colleagues.”

In addition to highlighting the many accomplishments of Bryant’s faculty — from launching new programs to innovative research to prestigious publications — Provost and Chief Academic Officer Rupendra Paliwal, Ph.D.; Associate Provost Wendy Samter, Ph.D.; and the heads of Bryant’s College of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, and School of Health and Behavioral Sciences all shared upcoming milestones for the university, including the launch of Bryant’s Doctor of Clinical Psychology program, the first doctoral program in Bryant’s history, and the opening of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking.

“It has been an incredibly busy year, full of both change and preparation for more change,” stated Paliwal. “That makes it all the more for all of us to take time to pause, reflect, recognize and celebrate our colleagues.”

That network of colleagues, the speakers noted, extends throughout the university, from the Undergraduate Advising Office to the staff of Bryant’s Douglas and Judith Krupp Library to the college administrators and many others who make so much important work possible.

Twenty five members of the Bryant faculty were presented with Merit Awards for their accomplishments during the 2024-2025 academic year, including:

College of Business

• Professor of Marketing Stefanie Boyer, Ph.D.
• Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Analytics Geri Louise Dimas, Ph.D.
• Professor of Finance A. Can Inci, Ph.D.
• Assistant Professor of Marketing Eun Kang, Ph.D.
• Assistant Professor of Finance Huan Kuang, Ph.D.
• Assistant Professor of Finance Sonal Kumar, Ph.D.
• Associate Professor of Management Elzotbek Rustambekov, Ph.D.
• Assistant Professor of Management R. Isil Yavuz, Ph.D.
• Assistant Professor of Finance Leila Zbib, Ph.D.
• Professor of Accounting Xiaochuan Zheng, Ph.D.

College of Arts and Sciences

• Professor of Mathematics and Economics Aziz Berdiev, Ph.D.
• Professor of Mathematics and Economics Jim Bishop, Ph.D.
• Professor of Politics, Law, and Society Andrea Boggio, JSD
• Senior Lecturer of Communication and Language Studies Patty Gomez
• Professor of Mathematics and Economics Jongsung Kim, Ph.D.
• Lecturer of History, Literature, and the Arts Taylor Maroney
• Professor of History, Literature, and the Arts Bradford Martin, Ph.D.
• Associate Professor of Mathematics and Economics Xiaofei Pan, Ph.D.
• Lecturer of History, Literature, and the Arts Joan Zaretti, Ph.D.
• Associate Professor of Communication and Language Studies Julie Volkman, Ph.D.
• Senior Lecturer of Communication and Language Studies Tom Zammarelli
• Lecturer of Mathematics and Economics William Zywiak, Ph.D.

School of Health and Behavioral Sciences

• Assistant Professor of Psychology Melanie Maimon, Ph.D.
• Associate Professor of Biological and Biomedical Sciences Jason Sawyer, Ph.D.
• Lecturer of Biological and Biomedical Sciences Robert Patalano, Ph.D.

Several faculty members were also conferred special awards to honor their contributions to teaching, research, and service to the Bryant community:

College of Business

• Teaching Excellence Award: Trustee Professor of Management Michael Roberto, DBA
• Outstanding Service Award: Assistant Professor of Marketing Eun Kang, Ph.D.
• Excellence in Research and Publication Award: Assistant Professor of Finance Crystal Jiang, Ph.D.
• Outstanding Research in International Business Award: Professor of Management Cathy Zheng, Ph.D.

College of Arts and Sciences

• Teaching Excellence Award: Lecturer of Politics, Law, and Society and Pre-Law Advisor Ilisabeth Bornstein, J.D.
• Excellence in Research and Publication Award: Professor of Politics, Law, and Society Andrea Boggio, Ph.D.
• Outstanding Service Award: Professor of History and Faculty Director of General Education Ron Bobroff, Ph.D.

School of Health and Behavioral Sciences

• Teaching Excellence Award: Professor of Biological and Biomedical Sciences Brian Blais, Ph.D.
• Excellence in Research and Publication Award: Assistant Professor of Psychology Kristin Scaplen, Ph.D.
• Outstanding Service Award: Senior Lecturer of Biological and Biomedical Sciences and Associate Director of the Honors Program Stephanie Mott

Associate Professor of Economics Laura Beaudin, Ph.D., and Senior Lecturer of Biological and Biomedical Sciences Stephanie Mott, the outgoing director of Bryant’s Honors Program, respectively, were honored for expanding and revitalizing the program. Samter praised the strong bonds they had forged with the members of the program and shared their students’ praise for them as well. “The comment that struck me the most was by one student who said, ‘The Honors Program helped me find my voice, not just in the classroom, but in myself. They saw the potential in me way before I did,’” Samter related.

Professor of Economics Jongsung Kim, Ph.D., was awarded this year’s Faculty Mentor Award for his unflagging support of those around him. “This is what his colleagues have said about him,” shared Assistant Professor of Finance Leila Zbib, Ph.D., in presenting the award. “‘He is very organized, hardworking, and deeply caring, both towards students and fellow faculty.’ ‘He shares his experience freely, lifts others up without seeking recognition, and inspires innovation through his teaching.’ ‘Many of us wouldn't be where we are without his quiet leadership.’”

For Kim, receiving the award was an unexpected but moving honor. His favorite moments as a professor, he noted, have come from watching his students discover the world around them.  “There is such a big difference in all of them, between freshman year and senior year. I’m always so proud to see them learn and grow,” said Kim.

Professor of Mathematics Rick Smith, Ph.D., celebrating his 50th year at Bryant, received recognition for a lifetime of contributions to the Bryant community. “Rick’s dedication to students is unmatched, and he is as generous with his colleagues as he is with his students,” affirmed Paliwal. “We are deeply grateful for the heart, humor, and wisdom he brings to Bryant every single day.”

As Smith enjoyed a cake in his honor with his fellow faculty members, he reflected back on his many years at Bryant, and what has made that tenure so special. “It’s the concern for students, the focus on helping them, and the warmth of the campus,” he stated. “You can feel it especially strongly at a meeting like this, but you can also feel it every day.

“It warms your heart, it makes you feel good, and it makes you want to come to work,” Smith said.