College of Arts & Sciences Accolades

College Awards - 2026

Each year, the College of Arts and Sciences honors faculty and staff who have excelled in research, teaching, advising, and administration while demonstrating a deep commitment to students and the college's vision.

Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence	Andrew Senter, Criminology and Criminal Justice
Dean's Award for Advising Excellence	Jermaine Johnson, Chemistry Kendra Murphy, Sociology
CAS Distinguished Research Award (CASDRA)	Shaun Gallager, Humanities Gretchen Peterson, Social Sciences  Ken Yang, Natural Sciences  Stephen Diko, Engaged Scholarship  Courtney Santo, Creative Arts
Early Career Research Award (ECRA)	Emily Skaja, English Benjamin Keller, Physics and Materials Science Elizabeth Gillespie, Public and Nonprofit Administration
Catherine & Charles Freeburg Fellow	Remy Debes, Philosophy
Michael K. Harless Faculty Excellence	Alexandra Golden, Psychology
Dunavant Professorship	Susan O'Donavan, History Daniel Larsen, Earth Science Elena Delavega, Social Work Nicolas Simon, Psychology
Excellence in Service (Inaugural Year)	Gary Emmert, Chemistry
Dean's Administrative Staff Award	Meghan Cullen, Dean's Office Iesha Williams, Dean's Office Julia Crutchfield, Earth Sciences Emily Jones, Computer Science

   

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University of Memphis Alumni Awards - 2026

Each year, the University of Memphis Alumni Association honors faculty members who demonstrate excellence in their commitment to serving the students and the mission of the University. The Distinguished Research Awards are awarded to faculty who have brought honor and recognition to the University through their research or creative activities. 

The Willard R. Sparks Eminent Faculty Award is the highest distinction given to a faculty member by the University. The award is presented annually to one (1) faculty member who has made outstanding and sustained contributions to scholarly-creative activity, teaching, and service, bringing honor and recognition to the University.

Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching	Benjamin Keller, Physics and Materials Sciences
Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching	Ian McLean, World Languages and Literature
Excellence in Engaged Scholarship	Daphene McFerren, Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change
Distinguished Research in the Humanities	Rebecca Adams, English

 

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