Thirteen outstanding, hard-working faculty members have been selected as the 2016 class of Connor Faculty Fellows at the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

Their expertise spans the natural sciences, humanities, fine arts and social sciences and the funds from the Connor fellowship are intended to help each rising academic further their career development.

"These faculty members are among our best and brightest," said Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College. "Each has already made significant academic contributions to the university and in their fields, and all were selected because we know each of them will continue to grow and do even greater work in the years to come."

The Fulbright College 2016 Connor Faculty Fellows include:

• Caree Banton, assistant professor, Department of History
• Hugh Churchill, assistant professor, Department of Physics
• Matthew Day, associate professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences
• Freddy Dominguez, assistant professor, Department of History
• Timothy Evans, assistant professor, Department of Biological Sciences
• Brandon Jackson, assistant professor, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice
• Violeta Lorenzo-Feliciano, assistant professor, Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures
• Mathew McConnell, assistant professor, Department of Art
• Joshua Mitchell, assistant professor, Department of Political Science
• Jeffrey Murdock, assistant professor, Department of Music
• April Rand, assistant professor, School of Social Work
• Brett Sterling, assistant professor, Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures
• Wesley Stoner, assistant professor, Department of Anthropology

Robert and Sandra Connor of Little Rock established the Connor Endowed Faculty Fellowship in 2004 to provide essential faculty development opportunities to rising academic experts in the college. Annually, a college committee including the dean recognizes faculty who have made excellent contributions to the college and their departments. The award is used to facilitate travel, expand research initiatives and support classroom activities.

The Connors' original gift of $1.5 million allowed the college to designate up to 10 fellows each year. An additional gift has allowed the college to expand the number of fellowships. Since its inception, the endowment has enabled Fulbright College to recognize more than 85 Connor Fellows, many of whom are now leaders in their departments, serving in administrative capacities or in prominent teaching and research positions with impressive publication records.

About the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences: The J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most academically diverse unit on campus with 19 departments and 43 academic programs and research centers. The college provides the core curriculum for all University of Arkansas students and is named for J. William Fulbright, former university president and longtime U.S. senator.