Phyllis Betts, SUAPP

Dr. Betts of the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy received a grant in the amount of $100,000 for the "Neighbor-by-Neighborhood" project. She also received funding in the amount of $143,874 for the "Community Based Neighborhood Action" and $15,000 for the "NNIP School Readiness and Success program." (A total of $258,874) Funding was received through the Memphis Housing and Community Development.

Dr. Charles Santo, City & Regional Planning

Kudos to Dr. Charles Santo. His article "Beyond the Economic Catalyst Debate: Can Consumption Benefits Justify a Municipal Stadium Investment" has just been published by Journal of Urban Affairs and a second article "Deciphering the Public Interest: Contingent Valuation as a Participatory Planning Tool." will appear in Community Development: The Journal of the Community Development Society, in February of 2008.

Planning Professor Gene Pearson Receives APA Lifetime Achievement Award

Gene Pearson, Director of the Graduate Program in City and Regional Planning, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Building Greater Communities Conference in Memphis on September 6, 2007.  Presented by the Tennessee Chapter of the American Planning Association, this award recognizes an individual’s outstanding, significant, and sustained contributions to, and in support of, planning and the planning profession. Heather Sparks, Chief Planner of the Town of Collierville and alumnus, narrated a video presentation of highlights from Pearson’s career. During his thirty-six years at the University, Gene has served as Director of the Graduate Program for the past twenty-four years and concurrently as Director of the Regional Economic Development Center (REDC).

Through the REDC, Gene has directed and researched a number of studies for the City of Memphis and Shelby County.  Some of these high-visibility studies include the economic impact of relocating the Vancouver Grizzlies NBA Team to Memphis, the feasibility of returning streetcar trolleys to downtown Memphis, and the future of Shelby Farms Park.

Another project with a significant impact was Gene’s pivotal testimony to the General Assembly in 1998 defending the City of Memphis’ right to expand - testimony which helped to defeat the so-called “tiny towns” legislation.

Pearson has been elected to several national positions with the American Planning Association, and has served as President of the Tennessee and West Tennessee chapters. In 2002, he was elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners, one of the highest honors that the AICP bestows upon a member.  Click here to read more information about Dr. Gene Pearson and the Division of City & Regional Planning.

Criminology Professor Donna Huddleston Receives Distinguished Advising Award

Huddleston joined the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice in 1996. She is the primary point of contact on advising questions for more than 400 majors and has served more than1,000 students during her career here, in addition to teaching two courses each semester. In spite of that heavy load, she reserves to time to speak to each of them individually at least once a semester, and is in contact with many of them on an almost weekly basis. Huddleston has an open-door policy during the day and will schedule time on weekends or evenings to accommodate students whose work schedules do not permit them to come to campus during normal business hours. Students compliment her knowledge, availability, and kindness. Said one student, “Donna is a wonderful advisor. She was always there for me when I needed her, even in non-school related issues. She is a very kind and polite woman who touched my life. I’ll never forget her.” Another noted, “She knows all of her advisees and she will bend over backwards to help you with any school problems or personal ones.”  Click here to find out more about Donna Huddleston.

SUAPP Head and Professor Stan Hyland Receives Faudree Professorship - 2007

Dr. Stanley Hyland, Professor and Head of the School of Urban Affairs & Public Policy, has been named the recipient of the Faudree Professorship for 2007. The Faudree Professorship was established by philanthropists Helen and Jabie Hardin in honor of U of M Provost Ralph Faudree. The Hardins are longtime supporters of the University and have endowed two chairs of excellence. The Faudree Professorship honors a faculty member involved in engaged scholarship.

Criminology Professor K.B. Turner Receives Award for Teaching Excellence - 2007

In 2005 the College presented the inaugural “College of Arts and Sciences Award for Teaching Excellence” to two faculty members, and I am pleased that we are able to continue presenting this award.

Selection of the recipients of this award are based primarily on nominations by graduating seniors and the teaching reputation of the faculty member. The award consists of a plaque and a monetary award of $200. We have two outstanding individuals this year who are receiving this award.

The first recipient is Dr. K. B. Turner of the Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice.  To read more about Dr. K.B. Turner, click here.

Health Administration's Camille Barsukiewicz and Public & Nonprofit's Dorothy Norris-Tirrell Receive Public Service Awards for 2006-2007

Public Service Awards are designed to convey knowledge or provide service to the general public.  The professors within SUAPP honored with this award for 2006 - 2007 are:

• Camille Barsukiewicz, Health Administration - Health Law Symposium
• Dorothy Norris-Tirrell, Public & Nonprofit Administration

Social Work's Susan Hutchinson and Kathryn Whitted Receive Faculty Research Grant Awards - 2007

Faculty Research Grants (FRG) are internal grant awards intended to promote the scientific, scholarly and creative activity of University faculty. The goals of the FRG program are to provide seed funds for: (1) research projects; (2) faculty embarking on new research areas; or (3) creative activities.

Grants may be funded up to a maximum of $6500 for travel, equipment, supplies, faculty summer salary (up to $4,500), student assistants, and other expenses.

For 2007, the following SUAPP professors were awarded faculty research grant awards:

• Susan Hutchinson, Social Work - "Through Their Eyes: A Qualitative Study of the Dynamics of Teenage Pregnancy"
• Kathryn Whitted, Social Work - "RIP: Can Early Intervention Interrupt the Trajectory of School Failure in an Urban Community"

Charles Menifield, Public & Nonprofit Administration, Receives V.O. Key Book Award

Dr. Menifield won a national award for his book titled, "Politics in the New South: Representation of African Americans in Southern State Legislatures." His book won the V.O. Key Award for the best book on southern politics in 2005. For more information about Dr. Menifield, click here.