Opening Remarks
Good evening. For the benefit of our guests, I am Christy Drale, Interim Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost here at UA Little Rock.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 30th Annual Faculty Excellence Awards Ceremony. Since 1989, we have dedicated ourselves to a mission to: “develop the intellect of students; discover and disseminate knowledge; serve and strengthen society by enhancing awareness in scientific, technical, and cultural arenas; and promote humane sensitivities and understanding of interdependence.”
We are here this evening to honor faculty who have dedicated their careers to helping UA Little Rock fulfill this mission.
Today we will recognize 17 faculty members who have displayed excellence in teaching, research and creative endeavors, and public service. Their persistence and dedication in their respective disciplines have directly and indirectly impacted our lives.
Our faculty use their teaching, research, and service to address some of the most pressing challenges we face together as a society — from health, to the environment, to social justice, to education, and more.
Our faculty members mentor students of all backgrounds and all ages by providing quality instruction and offering guidance, support, and opportunity. Their contributions cannot be overstated, our faculty continue to improve the quality of life for others, especially our students.
History of the Faculty Excellence Awards
As you are aware, this is the 30th year anniversary of the Faculty Excellence Awards. The Foundation Fund Board inaugurated the Faculty Excellence Awards in 1988 – to recognize particularly outstanding faculty work. The first honorees were awarded in 1989.
Each College or School recognizes a member of its faculty in each of three areas of faculty achievement: Teaching; Research and Creative Endeavors; and Public Service.
The college-level winners are then eligible to receive university-level awards in the same categories.
For the third consecutive year, the UA Little Rock Board of Visitors has played a key role in this process. Members of the Board of Visitors served as the panel to determine the University Award Winners. The application materials of the college and school winners were reviewed by the panel, and they selected the overall winners in each category. The names of each panel member are included in the back of tonight’s program and we thank them for their time and efforts.
For the second consecutive year, a generous and anonymous donor has made it possible to award each college-level nominee a $1,000 award. The winners in each category will receive a total of $5,000.
The University Awards in Research and Creative Endeavors AND in Public Service are sponsored by The UA Little Rock Chancellor’s Circle.
The Bailey Teaching Award, of course, is sponsored by Bailey Foundation. We are honored to have Mrs. Sharon Bailey, the wife of the late Dr. Ted Bailey, Jr. here with us this evening. It is important to note that the Bailey Family was instrumental in establishing the Faculty Excellence awards 30 years ago. Their continued support is greatly appreciated. We are truly grateful for Dr. Bailey’s legacy, foundation, and family.
Recognition of Past Faculty Excellence Award Recipients
A visual tribute of all past winners was displayed on the screen earlier in the evening. I would like to take a moment to recognize them again. If there are any past winners of college-level and university-level faculty excellence awards here, will you please stand? Let’s give all our distinguished colleagues a round of applause.
Presentation of College Winners and University Winners
View Presentation of College Winners and University Winners.
The bios of each of the college and university winners will be posted on the Faculty Excellence website.
