California State University, Bakersfield honored four educators last week for their contributions to the university and the community.
Academic Senate Chair Dr. Aaron Hegde announced CSUB’s faculty award recipients for the 2023-24 academic year during University Day on Thursday, which brought together hundreds of faculty and staff to kick off the new academic year.
This year’s faculty award recipients are:
MILLIE ABLIN EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD
Dr. Larson is the longest-serving member of CSUB’s Mathematics Department, having first come to CSUB as an assistant professor in 1988. She has taught developmental and senior-level math courses and has been involved with redesigning math courses over the years, which has affected many students. Dr. Larson has also been co-director of the Math Tutoring Center.
The Millie Ablin Excellence in Teaching Award is named after an educator who served as a member of the board of directors of the CSUB Foundation and was a longstanding supporter and contributor to CSUB and the community. The award is intended to recognize and encourage excellence in teaching.
“I am humbled that my colleagues have recognized my efforts in teaching and am honored to have been selected by the CSU Bakersfield campus as the Millie Ablin Excellence in Teaching Award recipient,” Dr. Larson said. “I tell my students that mathematics is not a spectator sport — to learn mathematics, one must do mathematics. I enjoy doing mathematics with my students and sharing their excitement when they solve challenging problems.”
FACULTY LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE AWARD
Dr. Gove has been dedicated to CSUB for more than 30 years, always striving to provide the best learning environment for students. His service includes being an instructor, department chair, director of the Lee Webb Math Field Day on campus as well as a regular volunteer for the MATHCOUNTS competition.
Dr. Gove also holds several responsibilities outside of campus, including being secretary for the CSU Mathematics Council and co-chair of the first CSU Joint Mathematics Research Conference, which was held last year in Northridge. He is also involved in the local chapter of the California Faculty Association.
The Faculty Leadership and Service Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the principle and practice of shared governance and service to the community.
“I am honored to be chosen for this award and humbled to join the list of faculty who have previously won it,” Dr. Gove said.
OUTSTANDING LECTURER AWARD
McMasters is an actor, director and playwright who has been a lecturer at CSUB since 2002. She has taught beginning and advanced courses in the areas of voice speech and theatre education, as well as several general education classes. McMasters — who is an active member of the Actors Equity Association and Screen Actors Guild — is also the creator and lead teacher of the Dynamic Leadership Through Improvisation course offered by the university.
McMasters has been part of several Theatre Department’s productions on campus. She wrote and directed “Shakespeare Unmasked” last year and created fight choreography for the production of “Sweat” earlier this year.
The Outstanding Lecturer Award was established to honor a full-time lecturer for excellence in teaching effectiveness and service to the CSUB community.
“I am very fortunate to have spent the last 20 years sharing the joys of theatre and acting with our amazing CSUB students,” McMasters said. “To receive the Outstanding Lecturer Award is an honor and my goal is to continue to inspire our students to be curious, to be brave, and to be inspired by the complexity of life as they work on their art.”
PROMISING NEW FACULTY AWARD
Dr. Song joined the Department of Geological Sciences in 2018. He has taught nearly a dozen different courses and founded the CSUB Allied with LBNL Energy Pathways for Innovation and Collaboration (CAL-EPIC) Program, which provides students with summer internships at Berkeley Lab. He serves on the Honors Council and has assisted with the organization of CSUB’s Carbon Management Symposium. Dr. Song’s research focuses on finding sustainable energy solutions, with his interests revolving around H2 and CO2 geological storage.
The Promising New Faculty Award recognizes exemplary achievements in teaching, research, scholarship, creative activities, and/or service among all full-time, tenure-track faculty or assistant professors.
“Receiving the Promising New Faculty Award fills me with excitement and gratitude,” Dr. Song said. “This recognition speaks to the collaborative efforts of colleagues who have supported me and the brilliant students who have inspired me. Together, we have shared knowledge, grown, and learned from one another. This honor further motivates my commitment to excellence as I continue to embrace the journey ahead.”
Staff awards were also handed out on University Day. The Outstanding Staff Member of the Year award went to Campus Programming Coordinator Mike Kwon, who was recognized for his mentorship and for encouraging students to step out of their comfort zones to pursue new and exciting opportunities.
“I feel very honored to be recognized as outstanding staff member of the year,” he said. “The award is not mine alone but belongs to all of my students and the great staff and mentors who have guided me throughout my journey. I would not be here today without them.”
The Outstanding Group of the Year Award went to the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering instructional support technicians, FabLab specialists and equipment technicians.
© 2026 California State University, Bakersfield
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