College of Education and Health Professions to Honor Winners of Faculty, Staff Awards

The College of Education and Health Professions will honor faculty and staff members chosen to receive awards for advising, teaching, research and service at a meeting Friday, May 3 on the University of Arkansas campus.

“Our faculty and staff strive to provide the best possible education to our students,” said Tom Smith, dean of the college. “They also conduct research and serve the public in many other ways through our centers and outreach programs. We’re proud to have the opportunity to thank these particular faculty and staff in this way.”

The College of Education and Health Professions is composed of five academic departments with more than 100 faculty members, the university’s recreation department, and 17 research and service units. The college enrolled 3,560 undergraduate students and 1,198 graduate students for the 2012-13 academic year, giving it the second-largest enrollment on campus and the most graduate students.

Photographs of the award winners are available for viewing and downloading along with additional information about the winners on the college’s news website, the Colleague.

The faculty winners:

• Jennifer Beasley, assistant professor of childhood education, Innovative Teaching Award. Read more
• George Denny, professor of educational statistics and research methods, STAR (service, teaching, advising and research) Faculty Award given to the outstanding all-around faculty member. Read more
• Matthew Ganio, assistant professor of kinesiology, Rising STAR (service, teaching, advising and research) Faculty Award given to the outstanding all-around new faculty member. Read more
• Kristin Higgins, assistant professor of counselor education, Outstanding Mentoring and Advising Award. Read more
• Claretha Hughes, associate professor of workforce development, Significant Research Award. Read more
• Cheryl Murphy, associate professor of educational technology, Superior Service Award. Read more
• Ellen Odell, assistant professor of nursing, Innovative Teaching. Read more

The non-classified staff winners of the Superior Service Award:

• Jennifer Hazelrigs, assistant director of University Recreation, Outdoor Connection Center. Read more
• Josh Raney, director, Northwest Arkansas Career and College Coaching Program. Read more
• Mary Ann Stewart, academic advisor, department of health, human performance and recreation. Read more
• Christy Wear, academic advisor, department of curriculum and instruction. Read more

The classified staff winners for fall 2012:

• Brea Bartholomew Gragg, assessment assistant for Chalk and Wire, Outstanding Overall Performance. Read more
• Betsy Parsons, administrative specialist I, Outstanding Service to Faculty/Staff. Read more
• Alex Rich, facility coordinator, Outstanding Service to Students. Read more

The classified staff winners for spring 2013:

• Laurie Brigham, administrative specialist II, Outstanding Overall Performance. Read more
• Kyle Shunkey, athletic facilities supervisor, Outstanding Service to Students. Read more
• Shari Witherspoon, administrative specialist III, Outstanding Service to Faculty/Staff. Read more