A new semester signals a chance to recognize TCU’s outstanding faculty and staff. Each fall, several awards are part of TCU’s tradition of celebrating excellence. We are proud to recognize finalists for the Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement, Ferrari Award, Chancellor’s Staff Award, Wassenich Award, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) 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 finalists each receive $2,500. This year’s finalists are:
- Christopher Aspaas, Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities (College of Fine Arts)
- Michael Faggella-Luby, Professor of Education and ANSERS Institute Director (College of Education)
- Ashley Franklin, W.F. “Tex” and Pauline Curry Rankin Professor in Nursing (Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences)
- Jeannine Gailey, Professor of Sociology & Anthropology (AddRan College of Liberal Arts)
- Ann George, Professor of English (AddRan College of Liberal Arts)
- In-Mu Haw, J. Vaughn and Evelyne H. Wilson Professor in Business and Professor of Accounting, (Neeley School of Business)
- Paul E. King, Professor of Communication Studies (Bob Schieffer College of Communication)
- Francisco Lozada, Charles Fischer Catholic Professor of New Testament and Latinx Studies (Brite Divinity School)
- Daniel Williams, Honors Professor of Humanities and Director of TCU Press (John V. Roach Honors College)
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 and each finalist receives $1,000. Following are this year’s Ferrari finalists:
- Brandon Chicotsky, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Marketing and
Brand & Communications Lead, TCU Sales Center (Neeley School of Business) - Joanne Green, Professor of Political Science (AddRan College of Liberal Arts)
- Kristen Queen, Director of Academic Resource Center (College of Fine Arts)
- Gene Smith, Professor of History and Director of the Center for Texas Studies (AddRan College of Liberal Arts)
- Eric Wood, Director of Counseling & Mental Health Center (Student Affairs)
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. One finalist is chosen from each division and that finalist receives $1,000. Following are this year’s division finalists:
- Rob Beuerlein, Associate Director of Digital Media in Alumni Relations (University Advancement)
- Gretchen Bouton, Senior Associate Athletics Director/Compliance and Student Services (Athletics)
- Rachel Harris, Senior Director of Advancement Communications (Marketing & Communication)
- Pam James, Financial Assistant (Finance & Administration)
- Ingrid Keller, Administrative Assistant (Brite Divinity School)
- Joseph LeConte, Peer Support Coordinator and Substance Use Recovery Counselor (Student Affairs)
- Mariam MacGregor, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Engagement, Success & Strategy (Human Resources)
- Cynthia Montes, Director of Student Support Services, TRIO Programs (Academic Affairs)
- Shawn Spangler, Applications Developer III (Information Technology)
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 finalists receive $750. This year’s finalists are:
- Jasmin Chung, Assistant Director of Student Success (Student Affairs)
- James Rodriguez, Division Chair of Voice, Assistant Professor of Voice & Voice Pedagogy (College of Fine Arts)
- Samuel Ross, Assistant Professor of Religion (AddRan College of Liberal Arts)
- John Singleton, Director of International Services (Student Affairs)
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 final nominees receive $1,000. This year’s finalists are:
- Rosangela Boyd, Director, Service Learning & Academic Initiatives, Leadership & Student Involvement (Student Affairs)
- Scott Langston, Instructor of Religion and Native American Nations and Communities Liaison (AddRan College of Liberal Arts)
- Ann Tasby, Director, Office of Inclusive Excellence and Instructor of Accounting (Neeley School of Business)
- Lynita Yarbrough, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, Davies School of Communication Sciences & Disorders (Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences)
Maryrose Short Award
The Maryrose Short Teaching Excellence Award 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 three to submit to the provost for final selection. This award was established by Dan Short, Ph.D., former dean of the Neeley School of Business, in memory of his wife, Maryrose Short. The winner receives $6,000 with the stipulation that $1,000 be used for a professional development activity. This year’s finalists are:
- Tatiana Arguello, Assistant Professor of Spanish and Hispanic Studies (AddRan College of Liberal Arts)
- Brandon Chicotsky, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Marketing and
Brand & Communications Lead, TCU Sales Center (Neeley School of Business) - Russell Mack, Instructor of Strategic Communication (Bob Schieffer College of Communication)