2024 Teaching Awards Presented During Faculty Appreciation Week

Russell A. Cothren

The Curriculum and Instruction Department in the College of Education and Health Professions received the 2024 Daniel E. Ferritor Award for Departmental Excellence in Teaching.

The Office of the Provost and the Office for Faculty Affairs recently recognized faculty for teaching excellence at the Provost's Faculty Recognition Reception that was held on April 10 during Faculty Appreciation Week.

"Teaching is a core part of our land-grant mission, and we could not provide a quality education to our students without the vital work of our faculty," said Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Anna Zajicek. "Furthering our commitment to teaching excellence also ensures our students succeed in the classroom and after graduation. I was pleased to present this year's awards to our amazing faculty, whose commitment to teaching excellence is evident in the lasting impact they have on their students."

Teaching awards that were presented include the Daniel E. Ferritor Award for Departmental Excellence in Teaching, Faculty Applause Awards and certification in effective college teaching through the Association of Colleges and University Educators (ACUE).

In addition, the 2024 SEC Faculty Achievement Award recipient for the U of A, Distinguished Professor of Information Systems and David D. Glass Endowed Chair Mary C. Lacity, was recognized at the ceremony.  This award recognizes faculty with outstanding records in research and scholarship at each of the Southeastern Conference's member universities and was announced in Arkansas News earlier this year.

Daniel E. Ferritor Award for Departmental Excellence in Teaching

This annual award is funded by the Office of the Chancellor and given to the department or academic unit on campus that best displays excellence in teaching, faculty development and student success. The award includes $10,000 and a trophy.

The Curriculum and Instruction Department in the College of Education and Health Professions received the 2024 Daniel E. Ferritor Award for Departmental Excellence in Teaching.

Faculty Applause Award

The Faculty Applause Award is co-sponsored by the Associated Student Government and the Office for Faculty Affairs. This award gives students the opportunity to recognize a professor who has made a lasting impact on them during their time at the U of A.

Faculty who received this award include:

• Mechelle Bailey, Human and Environmental Sciences
• Natalie Edwards, Curriculum & Instruction Department
• Jana Gastineau, Department of Information Systems
• Sara Gosman, School of Law
• Rebekah Samsonraj, Department of Biomedical Engineering
• Alexandra Vasile, Curriculum & Instruction Department
• Daniel Villanova, Department of Marketing
• Heather Young, Curriculum & Instruction Department

ACUE Certification in Effective College Teaching

Faculty are awarded certification in effective college instruction through the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) and the American Counsel on Education after completing course requirements. Through this certification, faculty further their commitment to educational excellence.   

This year, the following faculty received this certification:

• EmmaLe Davis, Department of Information Systems
• Catherine Heath, Department of English
• Margaret Hershberger, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
• Kathryn Koziol, Department of Anthropology
• Angela Mensah, Department of Communication
• Heath Schluterman, College of Engineering
• Christy Smith, Curriculum & Instruction Department
• Charini Urteaga, Global Campus

Awards recognizing mentorship were also given to faculty during the reception. View this Arkansas News story for information on mentorship recognition.

The next Provost's Faculty Recognition Reception will be held in April 2025 to coincide with Faculty Appreciation Week, which occurs the second week of April each year. The Provost's Faculty Recognition Reception is sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Office for Faculty Affairs and the U of A ADVANCE ENGAGE grant.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.