Faculty Recognition honorees were presented to (front row, from left) Gordon Schmidt, exercise and movement science; Joann Lee, communication; Linda Gazzillo-Diaz, exercise and movement science; Donna Perry, English; Raza Mir, marketing and management; Jinn-Tsair Teng, marketing and management; Cynthia Northington-Purdie, secondary and middle school education; (back row, from left) and Louis Rivela, chemistry with President Arnold Speert and Provost Edward Weil. Not present at the ceremony was Janet Pollak, anthropology.

Nine faculty members were honored for their outstanding achievements in scholarship/creative activity, teaching, and service during the fifth annual Faculty Recognition Luncheon held on May 20 in conjunction with the University’s 185th commencement ceremonies.

The awards, which were presented by President Arnold Speert and Provost Edward Weil, were instituted in 2004 to recognize faculty achievement and contributions as the University celebrates the success of students at their graduation.

Honored in the category of scholarship were Joann Lee, communication; Raza Mir, marketing and management; and Jinn-Tsair Teng, marketing and management. In the teaching category, recipients were Cynthia Northington-Purdie, secondary and middle school education; Janet Pollak, anthropology; and Gordon Schmidt, exercise and movement science.  Receiving awards for service were Linda Gazzillo-Diaz, exercise and movement science; Donna Perry, English; and Louis Rivela, chemistry.

“Each year, immediately after our undergraduate commencement ceremony, we gather as a community to recognize the many and diverse accomplishments of the University's faculty by selecting nine members of the faculty who have compiled outstanding records for excellence in teaching, scholarship and service,” says Edward Weil, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “This year each of our five academic colleges are represented by the recipient whose accomplishments range across the discipline, within classroom, studio, and laboratory settings, and through services to their colleges, the University and the community.”

Each honoree received a plaque and a $1,000 award for professional development activities such as research assistance, conference attendance, training and travel.