UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Faculty Recognized at 2016 Convocation

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August 26, 2016

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

The University of Texas at Tyler officials presented faculty awards during the 2016 – 17 Opening Convocation Aug. 26, President Rodney H. Mabry announced.

"We are honored to have faculty members who are innovative thinkers, great professors and true experts in their fields of study. We are proud to recognize some of those faculty for their outstanding dedication," President Mabry said.

Award recipients are:
• Dr. Barbara Haas, professor of nursing – President's Scholarly Achievement Award
This award recognizes outstanding scholarly achievements by a faculty member. Selections are made by a university committee.

• Dr. Laura Boyd, senior lecturer in chemistry; and Dr. Sheldon Davis, chair and professor of mathematics – Provost's Excellence in Teaching Award
The Provost's Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes faculty whose excellence in undergraduate teaching resulted in their nomination for the Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award.

• Dr. David Milan, associate professor of mathematics; and Dr. Wycliffe Njororai Simiyu, associate professor of health and kinesiology – Jack and Dorothy Faye White Fellowship for Teaching Excellence
This honor recognizes excellence in teaching. Nominations are made by both university faculty and students.

• Njororai Simiyu – 2016-17 Piper Professor nominee
This honor focuses on the nominee's overall excellence in both teaching and scholarly achievement at UT Tyler. Nominees are made by UT Tyler faculty and become the university's candidate for the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation Excellence in Teaching award, which annually recognizes 15 professors for superior teaching at the college level in Texas. This nominee also automatically receives UT Tyler's White Fellowship.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.