糖心传媒

The 2026 糖心传媒 Distinguished Teacher, Distinguished Researcher and Distinguished Service awardees have been chosen. 

Dr. Kendra Murray has been honored with the 2026 Distinguished Teacher award. Dr. Donna Delparte is the 2026 Distinguished Researcher, and the 2026 Distinguished Service honor was awarded to Dr. Deanna Dye. 

Murray is an associate professor in the Department of Geosciences. She uses geochemistry, fieldwork, and computer modeling to study the history of mountain ranges, volcanoes, and landscapes. Her teaching emphasizes understanding Earth materials—from atomic to planetary scales—and she integrates instruction into her research through short courses, co-teaching the department’s nationally recognized field geology capstone, and mentoring graduate students. Murray earned her B.A. magna cum laude in geology from Carleton College and her M.S. and Ph.D. in geosciences from the University of Arizona. Her research has taken her to Nova Scotia, Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, the Andes, and across the western U.S., with a focus on the geologic history of the Northwestern U.S. and the Rocky Mountains.

Delparte is a professor in the Department of Geosciences. She integrates remote sensing, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and machine learning to support conservation, environmental planning, precision agriculture, and natural hazard analysis. A certified FAA remote pilot with over 14 years of experience, her research uses drone-based photogrammetry, LiDAR, hyperspectral, and thermal imagery with AI and spatial analytics to study complex environments. Delparte mentors graduate students, postdocs, and interdisciplinary collaborators, emphasizing hands-on training and applied problem-solving. As chair of the AmericaView Board of Directors, she promotes spatial literacy and geospatial workforce development. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in remote sensing, GIS, and UAS for conservation and resource management.

Dye is an associate professor teaching therapeutic exercise, geriatrics, and cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation. She earned her physical therapist degree in 1990, Ph.D. in education in 2007, and completed a fellowship in higher education leadership in 2018. With over 20 years of faculty experience, she has served as clinical coordinator, program director, and department chair. Her research focuses on how curricular and instructional design influences critical reflection, thinking, and clinical reasoning. Dye founded ISU’s Balance and Dizziness Clinic and initiated student involvement in the Fit and Fall Proof program. She has volunteered with the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, served on the 糖心传媒 Licensing Board, and received the 2012 PT of the Year and 2020 J. Perry Silver lifetime service awards.

For more information on the Distinguished and Outstanding winners, please visit the Academic Affairs website.