TCU’s 150th year would not be complete without its annual recognition of outstanding faculty and staff. TCU is proud to recognize finalists for the Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement, Ferrari Award, Chancellor’s Staff Award, Wassenich Award, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award and Maryrose Short Award. Winners will be announced in the coming weeks, followed by feature videos.
Congratulations to these finalists!
Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement
The Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement as a Creative Teacher and Scholar recognizes extraordinary creative teaching and scholarship. Nominations are submitted to academic deans who provide recommendations to the chancellor. The winner receives $25,000 and will be announced at a private event Sept. 11. Finalists will each receive $2,500 and will be acknowledged at Welcome & Opening Luncheon on Aug. 18. This year’s finalists are:
- Michelle Bauml, Associate Professor and Clotilda Winter Professor of Education (College of Education)
- Tyson Browning, Professor of Operations Management, Information Systems and Supply Chain Management Department (Neeley School of Business)
- Manochehr Dorraj, Professor of Political Science (AddRan College of Liberal Arts - Social Sciences)
- Ariel Feldman, Rosalyn and Manny Rosenthal Professor of Jewish Studies (Brite Divinity School)
- Kayla Green, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (College of Science & Engineering)
- Aesha John, Associate Professor of Social Work (Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences)
- Carrie Leverenz, Professor of English (AddRan College of Liberal Arts - Humanities)
- Paul Schrodt, Philip J. & Cheryl C. Burguières Professor in Communication Studies (Bob Schieffer College of Communication)
Ferrari Award
The Michael R. Ferrari Award for Distinguished University Service and Leadership was established by the TCU Board of Trustees to honor the former chancellor and recognize the extraordinary situational leadership accomplishments above job or position expectations of a faculty or staff member. The Ferrari Award carries with it a prize of $5,000. The winner will be announced at the opening luncheon. Finalists will be recognized at a private event Aug. 17 and will each receive $1,000:
- Ann L. Bluntzer, Executive Director, Ralph Lowe Energy Institute; Associate Professor of Professional Practice, Management and Leadership Department (Neeley School Business)
- Jan Lacina, Bezos Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Early Education; Associate Dean of Graduate Studies (College of Education)
- John Bradley Thompson, Director of Student Activities (Student Affairs); Project Manager and Co-Chair, Special Projects & Initiatives, TCU’s 150th
- Anne M.D. VanBeber, Professor of Nutritional Sciences (College of Science & Engineering)
Chancellor’s Staff Award
Created in 2003, the Chancellor’s Staff Award for Outstanding Service recognizes a staff member for exemplary service and contributions to the welfare of the campus community. The award includes a prize of $5,000, and the winner will be announced at opening luncheon. One finalist from each division will be recognized at a private event Aug. 15 and will each receive $1,000. The finalists are:
- Catherine Caero, Senior Accountant (Brite Divinity School)
- Kris Copeland, Creative Director (Marketing & Communication)
- Jon Eidson, Database Administrator (Information Technology)
- Joanne Fralia, Executive Assistant (Human Resources)
- Mindy Hollan, Associate Director of Housing (Student Affairs)
- Kristi Kolpanen, Director of Web Services (University Advancement)
- Yesi Madrigal, Administrative Assistant (Intercollegiate Athletics)
- Kevin McDonald, Assistant Provost for Enrollment Systems and Analytics (Academic Affairs)
- Andrew Siegel, Manager – Sport Turf (Finance & Administration)
Wassenich Award
The Wassenich Award for Mentoring in the TCU Community was established by Mark and Linda Wassenich to celebrate this defining characteristic of TCU for many generations. Alumni and students may nominate faculty and staff members who serve as role models, advisors and guides to students, and the winner is chosen from a committee of primarily faculty and staff. The winner receives $3,000 and will be announced at a select luncheon Sept. 12. Finalists receive $750 and will be acknowledged at opening luncheon:
- Greg Collins, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice of Nurse Anesthesia (Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences)
- Paul Evans, Instructor; Associate Director, Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Neeley School of Business)
- Lea McCracken, Associate Chaplain; Church Relations Officer (Office of Religious & Spiritual Life)
- Molly Weinburgh, Professor; Director of Andrews Institute for Research in Mathematics & Science Education; Andrews Chair of Mathematics and Science Education (College of Education)
DEI Award
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award honors the important work of further transforming the TCU community into one that not only celebrates the university mission but also creates a world-class university built on a heritage of inclusion. Faculty, staff and students may nominate an individual. Finalists are selected by the DEI Award Committee, which provides recommendations to the chancellor. The winner receives $5,000 and will be announced at the opening luncheon. Finalists receive $1,000 and will be celebrated at a private event Aug. 14. This year’s finalists are:
- Frederick W. Gooding Jr., Dr. Ronald E. Moore Professor in Humanities, (John V. Roach Honors College)
- Endia J. Lindo, Associate Professor of Special Education (College of Education)
- Ann J. Tasby, Director, Office of Inclusive Excellence; Instructor of Accounting (Neeley School of Business)
- Nino Testa, Associate Professor of Professional Practice, Women and Gender Studies (AddRan College of Liberal Arts)
- Rosalyna (Lynita) A. Yarbrough, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, Davies School of Communication Sciences & Disorders (Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences)
Maryrose and Dan Short Award
The Maryrose and Dan Short Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes excellence in teaching and is specifically focused on exceptional untenured (tenure-track or non-tenure track), full-time faculty members with five years or less at TCU. Nominations from colleges and schools are submitted to academic deans who select the top candidates to submit to the provost for final selection. This award was established by former dean of the Neeley School of Business Dan Short in memory of his wife, Maryrose Short. The award carries a special significance and award this year, as Dan Short passed away March 1. Before his passing, he made a gift that will increase this year’s commemorative award to $10,000. Part of the award is to be used for professional development. The honoree will be announced at a private event Sept. 12, and the finalists will be recognized at the opening luncheon. They are:
- Sh’Niqua Alford, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice; Bachelor of Social Work Program Director (Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences)
- Casey Call, Associate Professor of Professional Practice in Psychology; Associate Director of Education, Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (College of Science & Engineering)
- Christine Hall, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Educational Leadership (College of Education)
- Brandy Jolliff Scott, Instructor of Political Science (AddRan College of Liberal Arts)
- Ayvaunn Penn, Assistant Professor of Theatre (College of Fine Arts)
- Amy Troutman, Instructor of Accounting; Assistant Director, Professional Program in Accounting (Neeley School of Business)
- Patty Zamarripa, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Journalism (Bob Schieffer College of Communication)