Current Pie Awards

Learning Resource Network

The Promoting Intellectual Engagement (PIE) Award recognizes and honors instructors who inspire excitement, inquiry, and autonomy in first-year courses. Recipients of the PIE Award are nominated by freshmen and sophomore students in an on-line survey, and then selected by a committee based on thoughtfulness and volume of student nominations. Student's descriptions of nominees reveal the heart of excellence in lower-division instruction, courses that comprise the foundation of students' college experience and the crucial seed of intellectual self-awareness.

2026 PIE Recipients 

Nikki Baldwin, School of Teacher Education

Richard Barrans, Physics & Astronomy

Maggie Bourque, Haub School of Environment & Natural Resources

Nathan Clements, Mathematics & Statistics

Nicholas Crane, Politics Public Affairs & International Studies

Laura Ann De Lozier, Modern & Classical Languages

Tim Etzkorn, LeaRN

Alecia Evans, Economics

Tyler Fall, Philosophy & Religious Studies; Honors College

Todd Fantz, Engineering & Physical Sciences

Irina Holmes Fay, Mathematics & Statistics

Scott Freng, Psychology

Janice Grover, Libraries Education & Research Services; Honors College

Jiwon Han, Music

Catherine Hartmann, Philosophy & Religious Studies

Shelby Hutson, LeaRN 

Francesca King, LeaRN

Hosanna Krienke, Honors College

Sarah Lass, Theatre & Dance; Honors College

Peyton Lunzer, LeaRN

Tracey Patton, English

Jonathan Prather, Life Science

Joseph Russo, School of Teacher Education

Brian Sebade, Ecosystem Science & Management

Kasey Stanton, Psychology

Ryan Williamson, Politics Public Affairs & International Studies

Kassandra Willingham, Molecular Biology

Yan Zhang, Modern & Classical Languages

Recipients were honored at the 16th annual PIE Award reception on Thursday, May 1st, 2025 in the Wyoming Union Yellowstone Ballroom. The PIE Award is co-sponsored by LeaRN, Ellbogen CTL, Center for Advising and Career Services ACES, Dean of Students Office, and Residence Life & Dining.