MTSU associate professor accepts 2026 John Pleas Faculty Award
Middle Tennessee State University associate professor of soil science Samuel Haruna has been honored with the 2026 John Pleas Faculty Award, recognizing his outstanding commitment to teaching, research, and service.
The award, established in 1997, is named after John Pleas, a longtime faculty member who was also recognized for his excellence in teaching. Pleas was present at this year’s ceremony to personally present the honor.
Haruna expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, calling it both an honor and a privilege to receive the award directly from its namesake. Reflecting on his journey, he credited educators like Pleas for inspiring him to pursue his dreams and succeed in academia.
Known for his engaging teaching style, Haruna has built a reputation for making complex environmental and soil science concepts accessible and meaningful to students. Pleas praised Haruna’s accomplishments and potential, noting his impressive record and suggesting even greater achievements could lie ahead.
Since joining MTSU, Haruna has earned multiple accolades, including the 2022 CBAS Teaching Excellence Award and the 2025 MTSU Outstanding Teaching Award. His academic work includes more than 30 peer-reviewed publications and over $6 million in external research funding. In addition to his scholarly contributions, he has made a significant impact in the community by supporting farmers across Middle Tennessee.
The ceremony began with remarks from Carmelita Dotson, last year’s Pleas Award recipient, followed by a welcome from MTSU Provost Mark Byrnes, who described the honor as one of the university’s most meaningful recognitions of faculty excellence.
A memorable moment during the event included Haruna’s son, Asher, joining Leah Tolbert Lyons on stage as she spoke about the legacy of the award and its past recipients. Lyons emphasized the importance of excellence in teaching, research, and service, noting the lasting impact of those who have received the honor.
Jessica Carter highlighted Haruna’s influence both within the university and in the agricultural field, pointing to his impactful research and leadership. In addition to his faculty role, Haruna has served as associate dean for academic programs in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences for the past two years, helping to shape curriculum and advance academic initiatives.
Despite the recognition, Haruna emphasized that his success is the result of collaboration and support from others. He credited his wife, Gloria, along with colleagues such as Carter and CBAS Dean Greg Van Patten, for playing key roles in his professional journey.
Haruna closed his remarks by reflecting on the true purpose behind his work. Awards, he said, can be misleading if viewed as individual achievements, noting that they often represent the collective efforts of many. Ultimately, he emphasized that his work is driven by a commitment to students and a recognition of those who helped pave the way.
