MSU Announces 2026 Distinguished Service Awards Recipients

Morehead State University has announced the recipients of its 2026 Distinguished Service Awards, recognizing excellence in teaching, research, creative achievement, and service among faculty and staff.

The awards honor individuals whose accomplishments exemplify Morehead State's commitment to academic excellence, student success, scholarship, creativity and service.

The 2026 Distinguished Service Award recipients are:

• Distinguished Researcher and Distinguished Faculty Award: Dr. Steve Shih-Chia Chen
• Distinguished Creative Productions Award: Ryan McGillicuddy
• Distinguished Teacher Award: Dr. DuWayne C. Dale
• Distinguished Staff Award: Andrew Sexton

Distinguished Researcher and Distinguished Faculty Award: Dr. Steve Shih-Chia Chen

Dr. Steve Shih-Chia Chen, professor of sport management and program coordinator, is being recognized for his exceptional record of scholarship, student mentorship and academic leadership. Throughout his career at Morehead State, Chen has published more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, many of them in collaboration with undergraduate and graduate students. His work has earned multiple Best Paper and Case Study awards in sport management and marketing.

Chen's research focuses on sport marketing, diversity and inclusion, sport economics, and sport sociology. In addition to publishing extensively, he has authored two Open Educational Resources and serves as managing and chief editor of the Kentucky SHAPE Journal. His scholarship has also contributed to policies and operational practices within MSU Athletics.

Distinguished Creative Productions Award: Ryan McGillicuddy

Ryan McGillicuddy, associate professor of jazz studies, is being recognized for a distinguished career as a performer, composer, educator and recording artist. Before joining Morehead State in 2015, McGillicuddy built an active performing and recording career in Los Angeles and internationally, appearing with acclaimed jazz artists and ensembles and touring throughout the United States, Asia and Europe.

At Morehead State, McGillicuddy directs the large jazz ensemble and teaches jazz arranging, pedagogy, theory, piano, music technology and applied jazz bass. He has received four Creative Arts Summer Fellowships supporting original compositions, multimedia recording projects and international collaborations, resulting in more than 50 new musical works. His creative output includes numerous recording projects, most recently the 2026 debut album "Gritty McFluff" by his electric groove-based group RPM.

Distinguished Teacher Award: Dr. DuWayne C. Dale (Class of 1998, 2007)

Dr. DuWayne C. Dale, director of bands and associate professor of music, is being honored for excellence in teaching, mentorship and leadership in music education. Since joining Morehead State in 2017, Dale has overseen all aspects of the University's band program while teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in music education and conducting.

A two-time graduate of Morehead State, Dale brings more than 25 years of educational experience to the classroom, including 18 years leading highly successful high school music programs in Kentucky and Ohio. He remains an active contributor to the profession through presentations, clinics and performances at state, national and international venues. He currently serves as president-elect of the Kentucky Music Educators Association and Kentucky state chair for the College Band Directors National Association. Dale also represents the University as faculty regent for the 2026-29 term.

Distinguished Staff Award: Andrew Sexton (Class of 2020, 2022)

Andrew Sexton, coordinator of service-learning, is being recognized for his leadership in advancing civic and community engagement across campus and throughout the region. Sexton has played a central role in developing the University's Engaged Eagles Initiative, creating curricular and co-curricular opportunities that connect students with meaningful service experiences and community partners.

His efforts have helped establish programs such as Make an Impact Day, which engages more than 1,000 first-year students annually in community service projects, and the Presidential Community Engaged Eagles List, which recognizes students for documented service participation and reflection.

Beyond his direct responsibilities, Sexton has provided extensive leadership through Staff Congress, the University's Carnegie Community Engagement Reclassification process, student engagement initiatives and regional partnerships. His work has expanded opportunities for students to develop leadership, civic responsibility and career-ready skills while strengthening MSU's connections with community organizations throughout Eastern Kentucky.

The Distinguished Service Awards were part of the University’s Fall Convocation prior to the start of the 2026-27 academic semester. In addition to the awards ceremony, MSU President Dr. Jay Morgan outlines a bold vision for the University’s future.