Celebrating Fulbright College’s 2019 Retirees and Faculty Awardees

With more than 665 faculty members serving more than 7,600 students, it’s not hard to see how our J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences instructors, teachers and researchers can make such a tremendous impact on our soon-to-be graduates and all whose lives they touch after completing their studies.

“With that in mind, we wanted to thank our amazingly talented faculty for all that they do to help our students, our university and the community beyond to learn, gain knowledge and use it to change the world for the better,” said Todd Shields, dean of Fulbright College.

“We also wanted to share and spotlight some recent faculty announcements about our 2019 retirees and those who have won some of the college’s top teaching, research and faculty awards,” Shields said. “I hope you’ll spend some time getting to know these folks and congratulate them on these awesome accomplishments.”

This spring, after more than 198 years of combined service, seven Fulbright College faculty members retired following the successful completion of their final academic year.

The group of retirees was honored at the 2019 Fulbright College Faculty Retirement Reception, and their combined career experiences span a lifetime of achievement in the arts, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. This year, Fulbright College celebrated:

Jerry Rose, Department of Anthropology 

Thomas Frentz, Department of Communication  

Michael Heffernan, Department of English 

Elizabeth Markham, Department of History  

Rembrandt Wolpert, Department of History 

Dale Carpenter, School of Journalism and Strategic Media 

Pat Martin, Department of Theatre 

“Congratulations again to all the honorees and thank you for your tireless service to the greatest and most noble pursuit of all – education,” Shields said. “We hope you enjoy retirement to the fullest!”

Read and learn more about all of the retirees.

This summer, the college also named the 2019 winners of its annual teaching and research faculty awards. The recipients were each selected for their demonstrated excellence in these areas.

“This was a tough choice because we have some stellar educators and researchers here,” Shields said. “But those selected this year have shown the very highest levels of dedication to their students, their research and their fields – we could not be prouder of such a passionate and inspiring group of faculty!”

The college honors up to three outstanding teachers annually with the Fulbright College Master Teaching Award. Selection is based on a letter of nomination, teaching evaluations and documentation about the nominee’s teaching activities. The 2019 recipients include:

Adnan Al-Rubaye, clinical assistant professor and associate director of the Cell and Molecular Biology Program in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Caree Banton, assistant professor in the Department of History.

Stephanie Schulte, associate professor and assistant chair in the Department of Communication.

The Fulbright College Master Researcher Award is given to up to three outstanding researchers. Awardees are chosen based on a nomination letter, the nominee’s research accomplishments documented in a one-page summary of his or her research outlining its importance, a list of 10 publications, supporting evidence of exceptional performance in research, his or her curriculum vitae and an evaluation by the departmental chairperson. The 2019 recipients include:

Grant Drawve, assistant professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology.

Feng “Seymour” Wang, professor of chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

The J. Hillman Yowell Award for Excellence in Teaching is given to a Fulbright College graduate assistant in recognition of his or her outstanding contributions to the teaching mission of the college and university. Awardees are chosen based on a letter of nomination, a recommendation by the departmental chairperson, assessments of classroom visitations and other types of departmental review, his or her curriculum vitae, letters of support from faculty and peers as well as current and former students, a list of courses taught at the university and a summary of student evaluations for each course.

The 2019 recipient is Benjamin “Jared” Pack, graduate assistant in the Department of History.

Read and learn more about all of the master teaching and research awardees.

This summer, the college also selected the 2019 recipients of several of its most prestigious endowed faculty awards, including:

Lori Holyfield, professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology, who received the John E. King Award for Outstanding Service.

Mindy Bradley, professor and director of the online program in the Department of Sociology and Criminology, who received the Nolan Faculty Award.

Celina Suarez, associate professor in the Department of Geosciences, who received the OMNI Keeling/Hansen Climate Science Award.

Jim Gigantino, associate professor and chair of the Department of History, who received the OMNI World Peace and Justice Faculty Award.

“Congratulations to these outstanding faculty members,” Shields said. “Each has accomplished so much in service to their students, colleagues, college, the university and their respective fields of expertise – I am in awe of and so thankful for each of them!”

Read and learn more about all of the King, Nolan and OMNI awardees.

Additionally, this year 12 exceptional, hard-working faculty members were selected as the 2019 class of Connor Faculty Fellows at Fulbright College.

The funds from the Connor fellowship are intended to help each rising academic further their career development.

“I cannot wait to see what they each take on next – I know they’ll continue to make us proud!” Shields said.

The Fulbright College 2019 Connor Faculty Fellows include: 

Jeremy Michael Beaulieu, assistant professor, Department of Biological Sciences.

Erica Lynn Westerman, assistant professor, Department of Biological Sciences.

Robert Henry Coridan, assistant professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Ryan Neville-Shepard, assistant professor, Department of Communication.

Lissette Szwydky-Davis, assistant professor, Department of English.

Lance E. Miller, assistant professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences.

Kimberly Hannon Teal, assistant professor, Department of Music.

Pradeep Kumar, assistant professor, Department of Physics.

Burcu Bayram, assistant professor, Department of Political Science.

Connie Lamm, assistant professor, Department of Psychological Science.

Brittany Hearne, assistant professor, Department of Sociology and Criminology.

Erika Almenara, assistant professor, Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures.

Read and learn more about the Connor fellowship.

“Congratulations again to all of our faculty members – Fulbright College and our entire Fulbright Family appreciate all that you do each and every day!” Shields said.

Visit us online for more information about Fulbright College.

Portions of this story also appeared in the U of A’s Newswire publication.