UCA honored various outstanding faculty members at the 2021 Fall Convocation in Reynolds Performance Hall.
Pam Ashcraft, a nursing professor, and the research and scholarship coordinator, received the Public Service Award.
The Public Service Award recognizes an individual who has contributed outstanding service to the UCA community, professional community and outside communities.
“I felt incredibly honored and proud to receive this award,” Ashcraft said.
Ashcraft advised UCA students to “set their minds and their hearts on doing good for others.”
“I want to thank UCA for encouraging UCA students, faculty and staff to get involved. Getting involved connects us to our community and makes it a better place for all of us,” Ashcraft said.
Femina Varghese, a professor of psychology, received the Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Award.
The Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Award recognizes an individual who has contributed to their discipline in an exemplary way through original work in research, scholarship or creative activities.
“It was an honor to be recognized by my peers and the administration for the work I do,” Varghese said.
Varghese encouraged UCA students who hope to contribute important work to their disciplines to “find an area that they feel passionate about that can also contribute to society meaningfully. Then, work diligently in that area. Finally, be persistent, even when facing obstacles.”
Brent Gregg, a communications sciences and disorders professor, received the Teaching Excellence Award.
The Teaching Excellence Award recognizes an individual who has consistently demonstrated outstanding performance in teaching by striving to enhance student learning.
“Teaching is a calling that I strive to undertake with love, imagination and creativity. To nurture a sense of ownership and involvement, I focus on active learning and strive to display excitement and passion about the learning process,” Gregg said.
Allen Thomas, the academic director of HPaW@Baridon, received the Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Award.
The Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Award recognizes an individual who has made a positive, significant impact on various ethnic groups and diverse populations through a commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence.
Charlotte Parham, an assistant professor in the department of leadership studies, received the External Funding Impact Award.
The External Funding Impact Award is intended to promote a culture of grant writing among faculty and staff and recognizes an individual who has demonstrated excellent work in obtaining external funding.
“It is an honor to be recognized at the university level for my work and accomplishments,” Parham said.
Parham encouraged UCA students who hope to contribute important grant work to “write about something you believe in and develop community partnerships to collaborate and provide support to the writing.”
“Grant writing is about finding funds that support your goals and missions. Make sure you stay true to your goals and surround yourself with partnerships that help you achieve,” Parham said.
UCA also honored the classified and non-classified recipients of the Employee of the Year for 2021-22.
Holly Gibbons, the travel supervisor, received the classified Employee of the Year award.
Andy Rohlman, a skilled tradesman, received the non-classified Employee of the Year award.