Dr. David Howell, professor in the Humanities, Social Science and Communication Department, received the Oscar Werwath Distinguished Teacher Award. The award was established by the university in 1967 to recognize excellence in teaching.  All nominees for this award must have a minimum of seven years of full-time service to MSOE. Students choose the award winner through two rounds of voting. On their ballots, students described Howell as someone who is extremely effective at getting points across to students in a way that they discover things about themselves; really cares about students and teaches them to think in different ways; demonstrates a commitment to student success in everything he does.

Emily Vogel, assistant to the chair in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, received the Johanna Seelhorst Werwath Distinguished Staff Award. This award is given annually to the employee who is considered to possess those attributes of excellence of character, outstanding ability, a high order of integrity, loyalty and dedication to duty and a sincere willingness to cooperate with others in maintaining the highest standards of staff performance and service to students, Regents, faculty, other staff members, and the public. All nominees must have seven or more years of full-time service as a staff member. Officers of the university are not eligible for this award nor are previous award winners. The award recipient is voted on by MSOE faculty and staff, who described Vogel as the consummate professional; goes above and beyond by building a solid framework that keeps a huge department organized by still responding to individual needs; and always thorough, proactive and helpful in problem solving.”