Texas State Faculty, Staff Honored During Fall 2018 Convocation

Texas State University President Denise Trauth presented more than two dozen faculty and staff awards during the Fall 2018 Convocation…

San Marcos – Texas State University President Denise Trauth presented more than two dozen faculty and staff awards during the Fall 2018 Convocation.

This year’s recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Teaching are Cynthia Gonzales, associate professor in the School of Music; Stephanie Dailey, assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies; and Mayumi Moriuchi, senior lecturer in the Department of Modern Languages.

The two recipients of this year’s Presidential Awards for Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activities are Duane Knudson, professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance; and Christopher Rhodes, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Ana Carrillo Baer, associate professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance will present this year’s Presidential Seminar.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Service went to Gwynne Ash, professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction; and James Price, senior lecturer in the Department of Theatre and Dance.

The Alumni Association recognized Patricia Denton, clinical professor in the Department of History, as the recipient of the Teaching Award of Honor.

The Faculty Senate recognized Steven Beebe, Regents’ Professor and University Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Communication Studies; David Nolan, Regents’ Teacher and associate professor of practice in the Department of Communication Studies; and Cindy Royal, professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, as the recipients of the Everette Swinney Faculty Senate Excellence in Teaching Award.

Beebe was also named Piper Professor by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation.

Gary Beall, University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, was named 2017 Regents’ Professor by the Texas State University System Board of Regents, the 14th so honored at Texas State.

Debra Feakes, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; and Nolan were named 2017 Regents’ Teachers by the Texas State University System Board of Regents, the first two so honored at Texas State.

This year’s new University Distinguished Professors are John Blair, professor in the Department of English; and Lawrence Estaville, professor in the Department of Geography.as

The 11 retired faculty members who were named Distinguished Professors Emeriti were Beebe; Mark Busby, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English; Nancy Chavkin, Regents’ Professor and University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Social Work; Dennis Dunn, Regents’ Professor and University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History; Steven Furney, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Health and Human Performance; Harvey Ginsburg, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychology; Nancy Grayson, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English; Patricia Pattison, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Finance and Economics; James Petersen, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Geography; and Philip Salem, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies.

This year’s recipients of the Excellence in Diversity Award were Rafael Cordero, Jr., grant director of Upward Bound; Skyller Walkes, interim director of the Office of Disability Services; and Olga Wilson, senior lecturer in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

The award for 2017 Employee of the Year went to Jennifer Beck, director of Retention Management and Planning.

Winners of this year’s Mariel Muir Mentoring Award were Bahram Asiabanpour, associate professor in the Ingram School of Engineering; and Rachael Weldon-Caron, grant director for Educational Talent Search in the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion.

The full text of President Trauth’s convocation speech may be found at www.president.txstate.edu/about-president-trauth/select-presentations/fall-convocation-2018.