By Lindley Lund
Division of Communications and Marketing
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University has recognized two outstanding graduate faculty members with the prestigious 2024-2025 Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Foundation Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award.This year's awardees are Sherry Haar, professor of interior design and fashion studies, and Bala Natarajan, professor of electrical and computer engineering.University leadership surprised the recipients in their classrooms to notify them of their selection.
The award, funded by the W.T. Kemper Foundation and Commerce Bank, honors current graduate faculty who are recognized nationally and internationally for their outstanding scholarly achievements and their contributions to graduate education at the university. Award recipients receive an honorarium and will deliver public lectures on their research to the campus community.
"Commerce Bank and the W.T. Kemper Foundation are very proud to continue our support of Kansas State University's outstanding graduate faculty. This year was particularly exciting as we were able to surprise the recipients in class, among their students, and celebrate together," said Shawn Drew, market president and CEO of Commerce Bank, Manhattan. "Drs. Haar and Natarajan are wonderful educators and researchers, and they are fully invested in their students. We are honored to recognize them for their outstanding work."