Texas Tech Honors Outstanding Faculty

Dozens of Texas Tech University faculty members received awards April 21 for their quality teaching and research during the annual Faculty Honors Convocation.

“We have wonderful faculty at Texas Tech,” said Bob Smith, provost. “The annual convocation is a way to recognize the very best in teaching, research and service in our academic community. I am honored to work with so many talented and creative individuals.”

Receiving the President’s Academic Achievement Awards, which go to three faculty members who have demonstrated distinction in teaching, research and service, are: Leslie Thompson, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources; Jennifer Wilhelm, College of Education; and Vaughn James, School of Law.

Winners of the President’s Excellence in Teaching Awards are: Sam Prien, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources; Urs Peter Flueckiger, College of Architecture; Ron Milam, College of Arts and Sciences; Michael San Francisco; College of Arts and Sciences; Donna Davis, Rawls College of Business Administration; Loretta Bradley, College of Education; Brian Nutter, Whitacre College of Engineering; Mallory Boylan, College of Human Sciences; Jennifer Bard, School of Law; Kenton Wilkinson, College of Mass Communications; and Genevieve DeCesaro, College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Nine faculty members received Outstanding Research Awards, they are: Warren Ballard, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources; Bennett Neiman, College of Architecture; Hafid Gafaiti, College of Arts and Sciences; Aretha Marbley, College of Education; Andreas Neuber, Whitacre College of Engineering; Michael OBoyle; College of Human Sciences; Arnold Loewy, School of Law; Kenton Wilkinson, College of Mass Communications; and Dorothy Chansky, College of Visual and Performing Arts.

The Texas Tech Association of Parents Barnie E. Rushing Jr. Faculty Distinguished Research Award went to Ronald Chesser. The Association Award went to John Howe, Faculty Distinguished Leadership Award; Michael Fuertes, The Hemphill Wells New Professor Excellence in Teaching Award; and Stephanie Borst received the Spencer A. Wells Award for Creativity in Teaching. All are in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The President’s Book Awards, given to outstanding faculty authors, went to Urs Peter Fluckiger, College of Architecture and to Mara Neusel in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Texas Tech Alumni Association New Faculty Awards went to: Scott Burris, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources; Rima Al Ajlouni, College of Architecture; Dimitri Pappas, College of Arts and Sciences; Devendar Banda, College of Education; Tim Matis, Whitacre College of Engineering; Natalia Kolyesnikova, College of Human Sciences; Jennifer Horn, School of Law; and Keith Dye, College of Visual and Performing Arts.

The Teaching Academy Department Excellence in Teaching Award went to the Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences.

The Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award was won by College of Visual and Performing Arts. The Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award went to William Poirier in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Gloria Lyerla Memorial Library Research Travel Grant was presented to Stacy Elko and Christopher Smith, both in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

The Horn Professor Graduate Achievement Awards were presented to Joseph VanderVeen and Sean Burrows, both in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Horn Professors in attendance were recognized. The Horn Professorship is the highest award granted by the university. Certificates also were presented to newly retired faculty members who have been given emeritus status.