Fulbright College Announces Its 2017 Annual Faculty Awards

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The J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas has named the winners of its annual faculty teaching, research and advising awards. The recipients were each selected for their excellence in teaching, research and advising.

"The faculty members who have been selected for these awards have shown the highest level of dedication to their research and teaching, and to our students," said Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College. "We are very proud of them and grateful for their devotion and passion for upholding our college's mission of peace through education."

The 2017 recipients include:

Yuchun Du, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Linda Jones, associate professor in the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures, and Calvin White Jr., associate professor in the Department of History, each received the Fulbright College Master Teaching Award. The college honors up to three outstanding teachers, and selection is based on a letter of nomination, teaching evaluations and documentation about the nominee's teaching activities. Each award carries a permanent $500 salary increase.

Myria Allen, professor in the Department of Communication, Jingyi Chen, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Tricia Starks, associate professor in the Department of History, each received the Fulbright College Master Researcher Award. The honor is awarded to up to three outstanding researchers. Awardees are chosen based on a nomination letter, the nominee's research accomplishments documented in a one-page summary of his or her research outlining its importance, a list of 10 publications, supporting evidence of exceptional performance in research, his or her curriculum vitae and an evaluation by the departmental chairperson. Each award carries a permanent $500 salary increase.

Additionally, Marcella Thompson, instructor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, received the Non-Tenure Track Faculty Teaching Award.

Bill Schreckhise, associate professor in the Department of Political Science, was named Outstanding Advisor. The Fulbright College Outstanding Advisor Award recognizes a faculty member's exceptional contributions to the departmental or college advising program. Awardees are chosen based on a letter of recommendation from someone who is acquainted with the candidate's work as an adviser along with letters of support from colleagues and former students. The award carries a permanent $500 salary increase.

Jama Grove, graduate assistant in the Department of History, received the J. Hillman Yowell Award for Excellence in Teaching, which is given to a Fulbright College graduate assistant in recognition of his or her outstanding contributions to the teaching mission of the college and university. Awardees are chosen based on a letter of nomination, a recommendation by the departmental chairperson, assessments of classroom visitations and other types of departmental review, his or her curriculum vitae, letters of support from faculty and peers as well as current and former students, a list of courses taught at the university and a summary of student evaluations for each course. The award carries a $3,500 award.