The recipients of the 2016 Distinguished Faculty Awards at Northern Michigan University are Charles Ganzert of the Communication and Performance Studies Department, who was honored posthumously, and Brian Gnauck of the College of Business. Both were recognized at an April 26 reception. Ganzert’s wife, Patricia “Pish” Cianciolo, accepted and spoke on his behalf.

After earning his doctorate from Ohio University, Ganzert joined the NMU faculty in 1992. His courses were invested in NMU’s Academic Service Learning initiative, a program for which he served as coordinator from 2006-2013. He also was instrumental in NMU achieving Carnegie Commission status as a premier “engaged university” and received a Michigan Campus Compact faculty Community Service Learning Award in 2014.

Ganzert was a recipient of NMU”s 2008 Excellence in Teaching Award. He advised WUPX, the student radio station, and received the NMU student organizations’ Adviser of the Year Award in 2002. His scholarship had both international and applied dimensions in analyzing and recording music from around the world. In doing so, Ganzert mentored students as co-creators of two dozen radio programs for the larger community in collaboration with WNMU-FM.

Gnauck is credited with more than four decades of exemplary leadership and service to the College of Business. He earned his doctorate at the University of Minnesota and was appointed to the faculty in 1972. Gnauck has taught a dozen different courses to thousands of students over his career. In addition to professor, he also served in administrative capacities as dean, acting dean and department head.

As dean, Gnauck oversaw expansion of the College of Business to where it stands today. He was instrumental in preparing and leading the college to AACSB accreditation candidacy; it was awarded in 2002. He also raised more than $1.3 million for the College of Business through fundraising and grants.