Southern Arkansas University has a tradition of faculty who are passionate about student success and dedicated to doing their best to serve the University, day in and day out. Each year, SAU faculty who exemplify these values across teaching, research, and service are honored with a series of annual awards. We wish to congratulate our faculty members, listed below, who made us proud during the 2015-16 academic year.
Bestowed with the distinction of Honor Professor for 2015-16 was Dr. Deborah Wilson, chair of the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and associate professor of psychology. Wilson serves Title IX as a committee member, sponsors SAU’s Psi Chi chapter, and volunteers with Compassions Foundation-Living Waters Domestic Violence shelter. Her research interests include studying children’s issues including disproportional placement of African Americans in special education, relationship violence, and mental health issues of public school students.- The Mary Armwood Diversity Award was given to Dr. Scott McKay, dean of the College of Science and Engineering and professor of chemistry. McKay has led the College of Science and Engineering to record-breaking growth as the largest and most diverse academic college at SAU.
- The Faculty Research Award was presented to Dr. Abraham Tucker, assistant professor of biology. Tucker’s lab at SAU offers students experience in a number of research areas including field collection of organisms, live-culture maintenance, molecular biology lab work, and bioinformatics analysis of genetic/genomic data.
- The Auburn Smith Faculty Service Award was given to Dr. Gerald Plumlee, assistant professor of information systems. Along with his teaching, research and presentations, Plumlee serves on several University committees including the AQIP Leadership Team. He was also recently recognized by Arkansas PBL as the Outstanding Local Chapter Adviser for his work with the SAU PBL organization.
- The Robert Walz Faculty Teaching Award was given to Dr. Christie Hough, assistant professor of management in the Rankin College of Business.
- The Calvin Wetzig Faculty Teaching Award was presented to Dr. Alec Testa, chair of the Department of Counseling and Professional Studies and assistant professor of counseling.
SAU Spirit Award recipients:
- Dr. Sara Day
- Sheryl Edwards
- Japhet Makia
- Dr. Copie Moore
- Steven Ochs
- Judy Vasser
