The College of Liberal Arts Annual Awards Ceremony recognizes recipients of the College-level teaching and research faculty awards, staff awards, Ventress Scholars (undergraduate students graduating with a major in the College with a 4.0 GPA), the James Meredith Changemaker Award, and the Early Impact and Hall of Fame Alumni Awards. The award event is also an occasion for members of the College community and family and friends of award recipients to join and celebrate their outstanding accomplishments.
Download the Inaugural College of Liberal Arts Award Ceremony Program PDF
From the Dean
The College of Liberal Arts is a thriving group of outstanding faculty, staff, students, and alumni who play a pivotal role in advancing the University of Mississippi on its path of excellence. Today marks the first time we have come together across all areas in the College, to recognize some of the outstanding accomplishments of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni. I am grateful for the opportunity to come together and celebrate.
Our dedicated faculty is a community of researchers, scholars, performers, and teachers whose work expands the boundaries of our knowledge and creativity. Their teaching encourages lifelong learning and prepares our students for the future. Our exceptional staff uphold the mission of the College in countless ways. They support and advise our students and work alongside faculty and administrators to provide the expertise necessary for the day-to-day functioning of a complex university, which is vital to our success. Our students are among the best in the country, winning competitive national awards for their academic achievements, and playing a vital part in leading efforts for positive change at the University and in our communities. And our inspiring alumni are engaged in original and transformative achievements in their personal and professional lives. They serve as brilliant mentors and role models, exemplars of the outstanding liberal arts education they received on our campus. Further, they are making their marks on just about every profession and walk of life imaginable—proof positive that a liberal arts education is of tremendous value in today’s society.
Faculty Awards
Teaching Awards
Cora Lee Graham Award for Outstanding Teaching of First Year Students
Established and endowed in 1948 by Cora Lee Graham of Union City, Tennessee, this award aims “to help better retain professors who teach the freshman classes” in the College of Liberal Arts. Beginning in 2023, an award will be given to one member of the tenure-track faculty and one member of the instructional faculty.
About the Recipients
Dr. Rebecca Katherine Marchiel
Associate Professor of History
Cora Lee Graham Award Recipient (Tenured/Tenure-track)
Rebecca Marchiel is a historian of urban history, political history, and the history of American capitalism. She taught U.S. history at Franklin and Marshall College for one year before joining the UM faculty in 2015. She was awarded a fellowship from Harvard University’s Charles Warren Center, 2015-2016.
Dr. Rebecca Symula
Instructional Associate Professor of Biology
Cora Lee Graham Award Recipient (Instructional)
Rebecca Symula, Instructional Associate Professor, received her Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior from the University of Texas in 2009 and was a postdoctoral associate in Epidemiology & Public Health/Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Yale University through 2011. Her research interests are evolutionary biology, phylogenetics, color pattern evolution, frogs, mimicry, & speciation.
Howell Family Outstanding Teacher of the Year
In 1985, the College of Liberal Arts began recognizing the Liberal Arts Outstanding Teacher of the Year. This award recognizes a College of Liberal Arts teacher for class instruction, intellectual stimulation of students, and concern for students’ welfare.
About the Recipient
Dr. Maria José García Otero
Croft Instructional Associate Professor of Spanish
Howell Family Outstanding Teacher of the Year
María José García Otero is a Croft Instructional Assistant Professor of Spanish. She obtained her B.A. in English Philology from the Universidade
de Santiago de Compostela in 2004, her M.A. in Hispanic Literatures and Cultures in 2006, and her Ph.D. in Medieval and Early Modern Spanish Literature and Cultures in 2012 from the University of Kansas.
University of Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year
The College of Liberal Arts and the Mississippi Humanities cosponsor the Humanities Teacher of the Year Award, recognizing outstanding contributions of humanities faculty at the University of Mississippi through public lectures in Oxford and at the Mississippi Humanities Council Annual Awards Ceremony in Jackson, Mississippi.
About the Recipient
Beth Spencer
Senior Lecturer of English
University of Mississippi Humanities Teacher of the Year
Beth Spencer is a senior lecturer in the Department of English. She obtained her M.F.A. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her teaching interests include creative writing (especially poetry), environmental studies, nature writing, Southern literature, intersections of social justice and service learning, international learning communities, multicultural literature and composition.
Research Awards
Dr. Mike L. Edmonds New Scholar Award in the College of Liberal Arts
This award, endowed by Dr. Mike L. Edmonds, recognizes tenure-track faculty members for exemplary performance in research, scholarship or creative achievement, and who have significantly enhanced the scholarly reputation of the College and University through exceptional contributions to their disciplines and demonstrated a positive impact on the success of their department.
About the Recipients
Dr. Sarah Baechle
Department of English
Dr. Mike L. Edmonds New Scholar Award in the Humanities
Sarah Baechle joined the university in the Fall of 2017 and is an Assistant Professor of English, specializing in Medieval Literatures. She’s been recognized as a “prominent feminist scholar” by the New York Times. Baechle specializes in Middle English language and literature and history of the medieval book.
Dr. Joseph Wellman
Department of Psychology
Dr. Mike L. Edmonds New Scholar Award in the Social Sciences
Joseph Wellman is an Assistant Professor of Psychology. He has been at the University of Mississippi since August 2019. His areas of expertise include racism and racial inequality, social psychology statistics, and experimental design. He has published 23 peer-reviewed articles.
Dr. Elizabeth (Libby) R. Hearn
Department of Music
Dr. Mike L. Edmonds New Scholar Award in the Fine and Performing Arts
Elizabeth (Libby) Hearn is an Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education at the University of Mississippi, where she conducts the Women’s Glee ensemble and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in choral music education and conducting. In addition to her responsibilities at UM, Hearn also serves as the conductor of CoroArroyo, a treble choir comprised of young singers that is one of six ensembles in the CoroRio choral organization. Hearn received a Ph.D. in music education from the University of Alabama.
Dr. Eden Tanner
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Dr. Mike L. Edmonds New Scholar Award in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Eden Tanner is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry. She achieved a Bachelor of Advanced Science in 2012 from the University of New South Wales and her Doctorate of Philosophy in 2016 from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom. Tanner’s research interests include solving biomedical and bioengineering problems using physical chemistry and particularly ionic liquids and nanomaterials.
Melinda and Ben Yarbrough, M.D., Senior Professor Research Award for the Natural Sciences
Recognizes an outstanding tenured faculty member in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The award is given in recognition of sustained exemplary performance in research, scholarship, and/or creative achievement at the national or international level while serving as a faculty member at the University of Mississippi.
About the Recipient
Dr. Jason Hoeksema
Department of Biology
Melinda and Ben Yarbrough, M.D., Senior Professor Research Award for the Natural Sciences
Jason D. Hoeksema is an Associate Professor of Biology. He received his Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of California, Davis in 2002. Dr. Hoeksema’s research focuses on the ecological and evolutionary consequences of interactions among species, especially mutualism, competition, and parasitism between pine trees and their symbiotic soil fungi. He held positions as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of California, Santa Cruz from 2002-2006, and as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center from 2006-2007, before joining the University of Mississippi Department of Biology.
Staff Awards
Student Support Award
For those that provide advising support or outstanding assistance to students.
About the Recipient
Victoria Barnes Hughes
Project Coordinator, Department of Mathematics
Newcomer Award
For administrative professionals in their positions for 3 or less years.
About the Recipients
Kim Dunnavant
Operations Coordinator, Department of Psychology
Commitment to Administrative Excellence Award
For the outstanding staff member of the year in the College.
About the Recipient
Matt Ward
Operations Manager, Department of Psychology
Teamwork Award
For a group that showed outstanding teamwork in the College.
The Recipients
Department of Biology
Tyler Flynn
Coordinator of Advising, Recruitment and Retention
Gwen Rogers
Operations Coordinator II
Candece Stewart
Operations Assistant
Lance Sullivan
Senior Laboratory Technician
Adam Thebeau
Laboratory Technician
Student Awards
Ventress Scholars Award
Ventress Scholars are graduating seniors in the College of Liberal Arts with a 4.0 GPA.
The Recipients
Eden Elizabeth Bayer
Biological Science
Thomas Blake Berry
Biological Science
Taylor Medalist
Rachel Berry
Public Policy Leadership
Taylor Medalist
Katherine Broten
Public Policy Leadership
Sarah Grace Brownlee
Biological Science
Taylor Medalist
Andrea Baileigh Cleveland
Biological Science
Taylor Medalist
Braxton Hayes Crumpler
Biochemistry
Taylor Medalist
Zuura Adylbekovna Dzhuzumkulova
Economics
Daniel James Ferro
Chinese
Taylor Medalist
Jorge Andres Flores
Philosophy, Public Policy Leadership
Taylor Medalist
Sarah Ryann Morgan Fortner
Psychology
Taylor Medalist
Jacob William Holifield
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Economics, Mathematics
Taylor Medalist
Elizabeth Ann Howard
(photo unavailable)
Mathematics
Taylor Medalist
Elizabeth Helen Hubbuch
Economics
Robert Birk Hughes
Mathematics
Chloe Isabelle King
Music
Taylor Medalist
Carson Elizabeth Kuhr
Psychology
Samantha Nicole Leon
Biochemistry
Taylor Medalist
Rylie Shel Mangold
Biological Science
Taylor Medalist
Abigail Howell Martin
English
Taylor Medalist
Rabria Marie Moore
Political Science, Journalism
Taylor Medalist
Katherine Reese Overstreet
Theatre
Taylor Medalist
Alayna Karina Poston
English
Anna Grace Robertson
Biochemistry, Biological Science
Taylor Medalist
Cooper Jarod Ruwe
(photo unavailable)
Biological Science
Jayanti Shukla
Biochemistry
Taylor Medalist
Catherine Colette Smith
Psychology
Ember Yeji Suh
Forensic Chemistry
Taylor Medalist
Renee Kathleen Summers
(photo unavailable)
Arabic
Sydney Pearl Wheeler
Economics
Morgan Bradford Whited
Biochemistry
Taylor Medalist
College of Liberal Arts James Meredith Changemaker Award
2023 Finalists
Faith Deering
Faith Deering, a major in International studies with a focus on Korean studies, is a UM global Ambassador and study abroad mentor, who has focused on welcoming international students to UM and creating more opportunities for African American students to study abroad.
Jorge Flores
Jorge “Andy” Flores, a major in Public Policy Leadership and Philosophy, serves as the President of the University’s “First-Generation Student Network” and has dedicated himself to creating a space where first-generation students can feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Bobby Hudson III
Bobby Hudson III, a major in Public Policy Leadership, has founded BIPS the UM Society for “Blacks in Political Studies” to give Black students and students from underrepresented groups access to opportunities that ensure that they are able to effectively lead in whatever area of government, law, policy, or public service they wish to pursue.
Reinhard Knerr
Reinhard “Matt” Knerr, a major in Biochemistry, joined Hill Country Roots, and created the first student-run tree farm in the state of Mississippi and has worked to expand access to environmental education for people of color.
John Meadows
John “Jack” Meadows, a major in Political Science, is the acting president of both existing pre-legal organizations on campus. He founded the UM PreLaw Student Ambassadors program to bridge the gap faced by prospective lawyers of disadvantaged or resource constrained backgrounds, and those coming from underrepresented groups, including individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.
Logan Thomas
Logan “Bobby” Thomas, a major in Biological Science, is the creator of the student organization called, “The Epilepsy Connection.” He built a space where students with (and without disabilities) could educate one another, and build dynamic relationships with their university and with their peers.
Arquvas Williams
Arquvas “Quay” Williams, a major in Art, led Students Against Social Injustice, organizing protests and education around the removal of the confederate monument and helped to increase social awareness of racial issues, generated majority student body support for the removal of the confederate monument, and made the university a more inclusive space for future and current minority students.
Morgan Yhap
Morgan Yhap, a major in Theatre Arts, and the Executive Director of Ghostlight Repertory Theatre, the student-run theatre on campus, has worked to make the processes in creating, casting, and producing shows more equitable for people of color and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Alumni Awards
Early Impact Award
The Early Impact Award is given to a College of Liberal Arts graduate for exceptional accomplishments and service to community within 20 years of graduation from the University of Mississippi. The award distinguishes performance in early career through advancement in one’s profession, community engagement, and/or civic participation.
About the Recipients
Adrian Cartier
BA Mathematics ’02, PhD Mathematics ’06
Adrian Cartier is a data scientist, co-founder, and Chief Data Officer for Freight Science, Inc., a data and analytics SaaS product for use by the transportation industry, and has been awarded patents for his innovations in data science.
Christin Gates-Calloway
BA Psychology ’11
Christin Gates-Calloway currently serves as a remote Policy Analyst with One Voice Mississippi in Jackson, MS. In this role, she supports a team of advocates to promote a data-driven approach to political and civic advocacy through policy research and analysis.
Patrick Woodyard
BA International Studies and Spanish ’10
Patrick graduated summa cum laude from Croft and the SMBHC and was part of the UM Student Hall of Fame before founding Nisolo after a year of microfinance in Peru. Patrick founded Nisolo as one of the first fashion brands to exist with a holistic commitment to the Planet and People within supply chains. Among other accolades, Patrick is a Top 30 Impact CEO in the U.S. and Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient.
Hall of Fame
The College of Liberal Arts Hall of Fame Award is the highest honor the College bestows upon a graduate or friend of the College of Liberal Arts. The award is given in recognition of the individuals’ achievements in their respective professional career and their commitment to the College through service, leadership, and giving across a broad spectrum. Recipients have managed or directed organizations that have made noteworthy national
or international contributions to their field and have meritorious service and leadership in a professional capacity, in the broader community, and to the College of Liberal Arts.
About the Recipients
Mike L. Edmonds
BA Speech and Theatre ’84; MEd Education ’85; PhD Education ’90
Mike Edmonds serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff at Colorado College, where he has been since 1991. He served as Acting Co-President for the 2020-2021 academic year, and as the Dean of Students/Vice President for Student Life from 1991-2020.
James Meredith
BA Political Science ’63
James Meredith has many notable accomplishments. James Howard Meredith was born on June 25, 1933, in Kosciusko, Miss., and raised on his family’s 84-acre farm in Attala County. After graduation from Gibbs High in St. Petersburg, Fla., in June 1951, he served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1960, including a three-year tour of duty at Tachikawa Air Base in Japan.. He attended Jackson State College from 1960 to 1961 and applied for admission to the University of Mississippi in January 1961. However, the state took several measures to prevent his admission. Meredith, after a series of historically noted events, some violent and life ending, was finally allowed to register for courses on Oct. 1, 1962. James Meredith is the first Black student to attend the University of Mississippi. He is the author of numerous publications, including Three Years in Mississippi, which describes his experience integrating the University of Mississippi, and A Mission from God: A Memoir and Challenge for America.
Frances Permenter Smith
BA Sociology ’74
Frances Permenter Smith grew up in Greenville and Gulfport, Mississippi. She received a BA in sociology in 1974 and her first job after college was an admissions counselor at UM. Mrs. Smith has had a varied career, from public information positions at the Central MS Planning District and Pearl River Basin Development District to the Lt. Governor’s office. She retired in 2013 after 31 years in the telecommunications industry.