We’d like to take this moment to recognize and celebrate another year of outstanding accomplishments in research, scholarship, creative activity, teaching, mentoring, and service. We’re delighted to recognize the worthy recipients of these awards and recognitions.
The following awards were developed to advance faculty recognition in accordance with our Pamplin Strategic Plan and were shaped by recommendations from the Pamplin College Promotion and Tenure Committee. While the nature and number of these awards may evolve over time, we are delighted to be able to award them to very deserving recipients.
Pamplin Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching: Dr. Lee Anna Maynard (English and World Languages)
This year the award goes to a faculty member whose consistent mentorship of undergraduate research is noteworthy. She mentors students toward student and professional presentations and publications. She has worked with students through the CURS program, regularly serves on Honors thesis committees, and she also works with students on research outside of class. Even after her students graduate, she makes time to meet with them and mentor their writing. With a heavy teaching load and high service, Dr. Lee Anna Maynard, this year’s winner of the Pamplin Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, continues to inspire students to learn more and be better every day. She is a great role model.
Pamplin Faculty Award for Excellence in Research: Dr. Wes Meares (Social Sciences)
The winner of this year’s award for RSCA was nominated by more than one nominator. They noted that he publishes way beyond expectations. Importantly, his work is published in high quality outlets, he is addressing important questions with real world benefits in our society, and his work is influential within his field. They also talked about his collaboration and that he was an ideal colleague supporting his colleagues, his students, and those around him. Dr. Wes Meares is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Master of Public Administration Program.
Pamplin Faculty Award for Excellence in Collegiality: Anna Harris-Parker (English and World Languages)
This is the fourth year for this award, and this year we award it to a faculty member who is an excellent colleague to many. Her nominators noted that she does the invisible work of organizing campus and community events such as Writers Weekend. This year’s winner is Ms. Anna Harris-Parker. For Writer’s Weekend, Ms. Harris-Parker coordinated a week of film screenings, book signings, readings, and writing workshops. The event brings together students, faculty, and the community. Ms. Harris-Parker is an excellent collaborator. She works across departments and external organizations to ensure the CSRA region invests in literary arts. She has served on the board for the community-based Poetry Matters Project and is the newly elected president of the Augusta Authors Club. Anna is the colleague you want on your team. She completes every task and meets every challenge.
Pamplin Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching by Lecturer: Dr. Katherine Williams (Psychological Sciences)
Dr. Williams is very dedicated to her job and has gone beyond what we ask of many adjunct faculty by prepping several courses. She is constantly looking for ways to improve her teaching. For instance, over the past few years, she has earned several micro-credentials from the Center for Innovative Instruction and frequently reaches out to her colleagues for teaching advice. Dr. Williams epitomizes the spirit of pedagogy and possesses the energy, intelligence, and dedication Pamplin College is looking for in its lecturers.
William A. Bloodworth, Jr. Award for Excellence in Performance of Facilities Services: Steven Maynard
Mr. Maynard has been here since 1992. In his job as the Lead Groundskeeper for Environmental Services, he goes well beyond his required duties to aid and help Augusta University. One of his greatest talents is his ability to understand situations and diagnose the best method of recovery or repair. He has great relationships and is well respected by his coworkers, and is a valued member of our Landscaping and Grounds Department.
William A. Bloodworth, Jr. Award for Excellence in Part-Time Teaching: Taji Elmor
This year’s award goes to Professor Taji Elmor a part-time instructor in English and World Languages who teaches Arabic. In fact, Mr. Elmor is the only instructor for the Arabic program. He has grown the program exponentially and improved the quality of instruction in these courses. Professor Elmor consistently goes above and beyond—for example he worked on developing online sections, ensured his pedagogy aligned with other World Languages practices, and he has excellent student success as evidenced by the 100% student pass rate in Fall 2023. Mr. Elmor is also one of the instructors who offered courses for VICEROY Scholars Program, which was funded by a Department of Defense grant through the School of Cyber and Computer Science. Mr. Elmor’s leadership goes beyond our expectations for part-time faculty.
Awardees
2023-2024 Fellows
Summer Faculty Scholars
Awardees
Awardee – Dr. E. Nicole Meyer (English and World Languages)
Dr. Meyer was honored as Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Knight in the Order of Academic Palms) from the Republic of France.
Grant Awardees
2024 Retirees
