Eighteen outstanding, hard-working faculty members have been selected as the 2018 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.

"Each of these fellows is a true rising star who has already accomplished so much in their career," said Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College. "They make us so proud and we cannot wait to see what they will accomplish in the years ahead."

The Fulbright College 2018 Connor Faculty Fellows include: 

• Ben Vining, assistant professor, Department of Anthropology
• Sean P. Morrissey, assistant professor, School of Art
• Jeffrey A. Lewis, assistant professor, Department of Biological Sciences
• Mahmoud Moradi, assistant professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Matthew L. Spialek, assistant professor, Department of Communication
• Casey Kayser, clinical assistant professor, Department of English
• Edward C. Holland, assistant professor, Department of Geosciences
• Shawn M. Austin, assistant professor, Department of History
• Rob Wells, assistant professor, School of Journalism and Strategic Media
• Jyotishka Datta, assistant professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences
• Tomoko Kashiwagi, assistant professor, Department of Music
• Warren A. Herold, assistant professor, Department of Philosophy
• Bret Darby Lehmer, assistant professor, Department of Physics
• Xavier Medina Vidal, assistant professor, Department of Political Science
• Alex R. Dopp, assistant professor, Department of Psychological Science
• John M. Gallagher, assistant professor, School of Social Work
• Jason Edwin Burrow, assistant professor, Department of Theatre
• Edvan P. Brito, assistant professor, Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures

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 $5,000 award is used to facilitate travel, expand research initiatives and support classroom activities.

The Connors' original gift of $1.5 million formerly allowed the college to designate up to 10 fellows each year. An additional gift has now allowed the college to expand the number of fellowships. Since its inception, the endowment has enabled Fulbright College to recognize 158 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.