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Faculty, Staff Celebrated for Excellence
Written By: Judith Hansen
On Friday, April 5, the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith administration joined UAFS Staff Senate and Faculty Senate to host an appreciation brunch for university employees. The event opened with a special welcome by administrators, who cheered, danced, offered high-fives, and celebrated the the UAFS community.
“It’s not hard to be your hype crew," said Chancellor Terisa Riley with a grin as she addressed the crowd.
She said that each member of the faculty and staff arrives to work daily with the intention of improving education for each student.
However, she said, “Each of us comes for another reason. Each of us comes for each other. It’s about lifting each other up. We have individual accomplishments, but they create the working environment we share.”
The morning’s program included length-of-service awards for faculty and staff members reaching benchmark anniversaries. The event honored 70 employees with a combined 900 years of service.
The event also celebrated individual members for excellence. Each of the awards below comes with a $2,500 prize.
Luella M. Krehbiel Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award: Tammy Brooks
Excellence to the University, to the Profession, and to the Community Service Award: Jim Wollscheid
Excellence in Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities: Patti Conard
Lucille Speakman Master Teacher Award: Jourdan Scoggins
The Lucille Speakman Excellence Awards for Staff: Rachel Putman and Carol Hill
The Luella M. Krehbiel Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award recognizes the contributions of adjunct faculty members to UAFS. Tammy Brooks has worked as an adjunct instructor in the dental hygiene program for more than six years. She was a member of the first UAFS Dental Hygiene Class in 2001. Brooks has worked in her profession for more than two decades. Her private practice work is helpful when she works with students in clinic and in the radiology lab. She is an active member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Her dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence make her a worthy role model to her students.
The Excellence to the University, to the Profession, and to the Community Service Award recognizes faculty members’ service to their professions and to the community, as well as service on campus through committees, recruitment, clubs, and other activities. Jim Wollscheid, a professor of business administration in the College of Business and Industry, earned a doctoral degree in 2005 from Southern Methodist University. He began teaching at UAFS in 2008. His award-winning research relates to his service activities in trying to find ways to engage students inside and outside the classroom.
The Excellence in Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities was awarded to Dr. Patti Conard, who holds the Jim L. Hannah Endowed Chair in the Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing. She received her Ph.D. from Texas Women’s University. Her research with veterans began with a study of women’s experiences in war. She has published 26 peer-reviewed articles and two book chapters and made numerous national, regional, and local presentations regarding veteran care. She enjoys working with students and faculty on research and scholarship.
The Lucille Speakman Master Teacher Award recognizes teaching effectiveness, outstanding job performance, service to the university and community, and participation in professional growth and development activities. Jourdan Scoggins is a graduate of UAFS’s nursing program and a board-certified nurse educator and psychiatric-mental health nurse. She believes learning should be fun, engaging, and challenging. Scoggins strives to connect students to the content by sharing her life experiences. She hopes that by allowing students to see certain parts of herself, they can assess themselves and grow.
The Lucille Speakman Excellence Awards for Staff recognize staff members for their job performance, service to the university and community, and professional growth and development.
Rachel Putman, director of communications, has worked at UAFS for nearly 10 years, working to improve the university's public and media relations, social media presence, and digital engagement strategy while serving on several university committees and professional groups. She was named to the NWA Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 class of 2023. She is passionate about the student experience and works closely with a team of student employees to tell the authentic story of UAFS. She also serves as an advisor for the IDEAL Women organization on campus. Earlier this year, she designed and painted the Lion mural in the Campus Center.
Carol Hill, an academic program specialist, is celebrating her 20th year at UAFS. Throughout her employment, she has held various service positions, including chair-elect, chair, and past chair of the University Staff Council. She also served two years as chair of the campus United Way committee. She is a proud supporter of Lions baseball.
- Tags:
- Faculty and Staff Appreciation
- Excellence in Research Scholarship and Creative Activities Award
- Excellence to the University to the Profession and to the Community Service Award
- Luella M. Krehbiel Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award
- Lucille Speakman Master Teacher Award
- Lucille Speakman Excellence Award for Staff