Three UCA faculty members were recognized for their excellence in teaching, contributions to the community, and their research during the annual Service Awards on April 13.
Dr. Lorien Foote, associate professor of history, has been named the 2010 Teaching Excellence Award winner; Dr. Polly Walter, assistant professor of mass communication, received the Public Service Award; and Dr. Clayton Crockett, associate professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion, received the Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Award.
Foote, Walter, and Crockett were among the nine finalists in the 2010 Faculty Excellence Awards.
Foote was praised by her colleagues for her teaching technique that has inspired students to continue their education and instilled in them a life-long curiosity.
“Much of their enthusiasm is based on her two part teaching objective: wanting her students to develop a sound knowledge of content within the discipline of history… while acquiring skills in critical thinking and communication,” according to her colleagues.
Other nominees for the Teaching Excellence Award were Amy Hawkins Amy, assistant professor of Public Relations, and Twala Maresh, clinical instructor II in the Department of Physical Therapy.
Dr. Polly Walter’s colleagues stated that she is ‘known for her reputation of being tireless with a determination to meet deadlines with quality products.”
Walter has volunteered thousands of hours on projects including “Community Education,” an academic outreach program for adult learners and the “Garland County, Arkansas: Our History and Heritage” project.
Dr. Tammy Benson, MAT director in the College of Education, and Dr. Joan Simon, associate professor of psychology and counseling, were also finalists for the Public Service Award.
Dr. Clayton Crockett was honored for his research and scholarship. He has authored three university press books, numerous book chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles, and edited three volumes. He has been awarded six research grants and has made numerous presentations.
A colleague stated, Crockett is “one of the most exciting and energetic scholars working at the intersection of religion, politics, and culture in the world today.”
Dr. Gordon Shepherd, a professor in the Department of Sociology, and Stephanie Vanderslice, an associate professor in the Department of Writing, were also recognized for their contributions to research and scholarship.
