Texas State Faculty, Staff Honored During Fall 2020 Convocation

SAN MARCOS – Texas State University President Denise Trauth presented more than two dozen faculty and staff awards during the Fall 2020 Convocation.

This year’s recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Teaching are Regina Jillapalli, clinical associate professor in the St. David’s School of Nursing; Kristen Farris, assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies; and Laura Duhon, senior lecturer in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

The two recipients of this year’s Presidential Awards for Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activities are Arzu Ari, a professor in the Department of Respiratory Care; and Kathleen Melhuish, assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics.

Kathleen Melhuish, assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics, will present this year’s Presidential Seminar.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Service went to Cindy Royal, a professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication; and Michael Burns, senior lecturer in the Department of Communication Studies.

The Alumni Association recognized all spring 2020 instructors of record as recipients of the Teaching Award of Honor for their exemplary actions in support of Texas State students in a time of unprecedented.

The Faculty Senate recognized Ann Burnette, associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies; Ting Liu, associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance; and Roque Mendez, a professor in the Department of Psychology, as the recipients of the Everette Swinney Faculty Senate Excellence in Teaching Award.

William Brittain, University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, was named 2019 Regents’ Professor by the Texas State University System Board of Regents. Brittain is the 16th Texas State faculty member to receive this designation.

Cynthia Gonzales, associate professor in the School of Music; and Mayumi Moriuchi, senior lecturer in the Department of World Languages and Literatures, were the recipients of the TSUS Regents’ Teacher Award.

Carol Dochen, director of the Student Learning Assistance Center, was the recipient of the TSUS Regents’ Staff Excellence Award.

The Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation selected Ann Burnette, associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies, as Texas State’s 24th Piper Professor.

This year’s new University Distinguished Professors are Duane Knudson, a professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance; and Patricia Shields, a professor in the Department of Political Science.

The five retired faculty members who were named Distinguished Professors Emeriti were Michel Conroy, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Art and Design; Stephen Gordon, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education and School Psychology; Shirley Ogletree, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychology; Marilynn Olson, Distinguished Professor Emerita of English; and Jovita Ross-Gordon, Distinguished Professor Emerita of Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education and School Psychology.

This year’s recipients of the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award were Russell Hodges, associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction; and Arlene Salazar, a librarian in the University Libraries’ Research, Instruction and Outreach Department.

The award for 2019 Employee of the Year went to Andrea Hilkovitz, research coordinator at the Graduate College.

Winners of this year’s Mariel Muir Mentoring Award were Caitlin Gabor, a professor in the Department of Biology; and Michelle Sotolongo, student development specialist II in the Honors College.

The full text of President Trauth’s convocation speech may be found at www.president.txstate.edu/fall-convocation-2020/speech.html.