The Chancellor’s Council Distinguished Teaching and Research award winners have been announced.
The Texas Tech University System's 2023 Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching and Research award winners have been announced, with six Texas Tech University faculty members honored by Chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., at a ceremony Friday.
Two Texas Tech professors were given the Distinguished Teaching award with four others receiving Distinguished Research awards.
Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching Award Winners
DeLeith Duke Gossett,
Jack F Maddox Professor of Law, School of Law
Drawing from her considerable experience as a judicial law clerk to four federal judges and from her practice before state and federal courts, Gossett teaches in the nationally ranked Legal Practice program and teaches a course on the ethics of the legal profession.
“Professor Gossett is an outstanding instructor who approaches teaching in a student-centered
manner. Her professional expertise, engaging manner, and innovative methods create
a wonderful learning environment for all her students. She is very deserving of this
important recognition.”
– Texas Tech School of Law Dean Jack Wade Nowlin.
Sam Jackson,
Professor, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources
The supervisor for Texas Tech's Wool Judging Team, Jackson teaches introductory animal science and specializes in sheep and goat production and the growth and development of farm animals. He is a winner of numerous local and national teaching awards and was inducted into the Texas Tech Teaching Academy in 2005.
“Dr. Sam Jackson has attained distinction, both within and beyond the institution,
for outstanding teaching and his contributions to teaching excellence. Without question,
Dr. Jackson is one of the most effective educators I have known, and the department
is fortunate to have him. He is clearly deserving of this award and honor.”
– Animal and Food Science Interim Department Chair Chance Brooks.
Chancellor's Council Distinguished Research Award Winners
Weilong Cong,
Associate Professor, Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering
With research that has generated more than 110 publications and $1.3 million of research funding in his share since joining Texas Tech in 2014, Cong has been cited more than 7300 times, which placed him in the top 2% of global researchers in 2021. His research focuses primarily on manufacturing processes and material development and characterization.
“Dr. Weilong (Ben) Cong is an outstanding scholar who is very well respected in the
additive manufacturing and non-traditional machining research communities. His very
strong citation record is a clear indication of the innovation and impactful nature
of his research. Dr. Cong is also very passionate about working with his students
who have benefitted from his excellent mentorship and have won numerous awards in
research, dissertation, and paper presentation competitions.”
– Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering Department Chair Bryan Norman
Nathaniel Hall,
Associate Professor, Department of Animal and Food Science, Davis College
Having started the Canine Olfaction Research and Education Laboratory at Texas Tech, Hall's research has helped shape modern training for detection canines across multiple disciplines. His lab also works with the community to help adopt dogs in need through a train to adopt program and by detection dog job placement.
“Since his appointment at Texas Tech University, Dr. Hall has demonstrated outstanding
research, scholarship and creative activity. Dr. Hall is, without question, one of
the best young researchers to serve in a faculty role in the department. His research
record is outstanding – especially for someone who recently started their academic
career. Equally amazing is his research productivity with heavy teaching and service
loads.”
– Animal and Food Science Interim Department Chair Chance Brooks.
Mallory Prucha,
Head of Design/Technology, School of Theatre & Dance, J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts
A talented artist who has designed costumes for multiple theater companies and does composite sketch work for the Lubbock Police Department, Prucha's research focuses on theater's application in simulation exercises with the aim to improve training efficacy for emergency and disaster response.
“Professor Prucha exemplifies excellence in all the work she does in the School of
Theatre & Dance. Not only is she the very definition of student centric, but she also
understands how best to guide students towards their professional goals. All of her
creative work is aimed to better the world around her, from her partnership with the
police department as a composite sketch artist to that with health sciences, learning
what she can about the best means to respond to natural and health assignments. She
is intrinsically a mentor, but also an adviser and advocate, well known for her award-winning
costume designs, but also for her empathy, generosity and innovative ideologies.”
– School of Theatre & Dance Director Mark Charney
Alexander William Salter,
Georgie G. Snyder Associate Professor of Economics, Area of Energy Commerce and Business Economics, Jerry S. Rawls College of Business
A fellow at Texas Tech's Free Market Institute, Salter's first book, “Money and the Rule of Law” was published in 2021 by Cambridge University Press and he has two books slated for publication in 2023.
“Alex Salter is a dedicated scholar who has sustained an amazing level of productivity
during his time as a faculty member at Texas Tech. The quality and quantity of his
work is impressive, and he translates his research work into practical contributions
that are frequently published in outlets such as the Wall Street Journal and the National
Review. His books are published by top academic presses. His involvement in important
conversations related to political economy bring renown to Texas Tech and the Rawls
College of Business.”
– Rawls College Dean Margaret L. Williams
From the Chancellor
“These awards recognize the best of the best, and I am extremely honored to recognize
our world-class faculty across the Texas Tech University System. Our award recipients
have ascended to the top of their areas of study and are leading experts at providing
students with an unrivaled educational experience. I congratulate each of our esteemed
faculty receiving this year's teaching and research awards.”
– Texas Tech University System Chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D.
From the President
“Those being honored have distinguished themselves among their peers as outstanding
educators and scholars. We are proud of their leadership and also recognize that the
accomplishments of these faculty really reflect on the excellence of all of our faculty.”
– Texas Tech University President Lawrence Schovanec.
