The University of Texas at Tyler officials presented faculty awards during the 2007-08 Opening Convocation Aug. 20, UT Tyler President Rodney H. Mabry, announced.

Faculty award recipients and their awards are:

• Dr. Jill Blondin, assistant professor of art, Chancellor’s Council Outstanding Teaching Award.
• Dr. Darrell Pogue, associate professor of biology, President’s Scholarly Achievement Award.
• Kay Pleasant, senior lecturer in computer science and lecturer in management, White Fellowship for Teaching Excellence Award.
• Dr. Casey Mann, assistant professor of mathematics, 2007-08 Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation Excellence in Teaching nominee and the White Fellowship for Teaching Excellence Award.

Special acknowledgment also was given to Dr. Neil Gray, associate professor of chemistry. Gray, a 2006-07 Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation nominee, was named a 2007 Piper Professor and earlier this year, received a $5,000 award in recognition of his exceptional teaching.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler offers excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 70 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of nearly 6,000 high-ability students at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine.