Faculty Awards
The University honors our outstanding faculty colleagues by selecting recipients for the following awards.
Trinity University Award for Distinguished Scholarship, Research, or Creative Work or Activity
An award presented for outstanding scholarship, research, or creative work or activity. Distinguished or Endowed Professors are not eligible for this award.
Criteria for selection include the quantity of the nominee’s scholarly or creative work; the quality of the venues in which that work has appeared; and the impact of that work on the field or discipline.
Recent Recipients
Recipient | Academic Department | Academic Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Heather Sullivan | Modern Languages and Literatures | 2025-26 |
| David Pooley | Physics and Astronomy | 2024-25 |
| Claudia Stokes | English | 2023-24 |
| Carolyn Becker | Psychology | 2022-23 |
| Andrew Porter | English | 2021-22 |
| Maria Pia Paganelli | Economics | 2020-21 |
| Peter O'Brien | Political Science | 2019-20 |
Trinity University Award for Distinguished University, Community, and Professional Service
An award presented to a tenured faculty or contract staff member for outstanding service.
Criteria for selection include the significance of the nominee’s service to the University, the community, and the profession.
Recent Recipients
Recipient | Academic Department | Academic Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Kelly Grey Carlisle | English | 2025-26 |
| Angela Tarango | Religion | 2024-25 |
| Glenn Kroeger | Earth and Environmental Geosciences | 2023-24 |
| Claudia Stokes | English | 2022-23 |
| Marc Powell | Athletics | 2021-22 |
| Amy Stone | Sociology and Anthropology | 2020-21 |
| Ruben Dupertuis | Religion | 2019-20 |
Trinity University Award for Distinguished Advising and Mentoring
An award presented for outstanding advising. Criteria for selection include the quality of advising performed by the nominee.
Recent Recipients
Recipient | Academic Department | Academic Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Maxence Leconte | Modern Languages and Literatures | 2025-26 |
| Jason Johnson | History | 2024-25 |
| Kyralyssa Hauger-Sanchez | Chemistry | 2023-24 |
| Ed Schumacher | Health Care Administration | 2022-23 |
| Jonathan King | Biology | 2021-22 |
| Dania Abreu-Torres | Modern Languages and Literatures | 2020-21 |
| Tim O'Sullivan | Classical Studies | 2019-20 |
Trinity University Early Career Faculty Awards for Distinguished Teaching and Research
Two awards presented to early-career faculty for outstanding teaching and research.
Criteria for selection include the nominee’s commitment to innovative or student-centered pedagogy; the contribution made by the nominee’s teaching to the Pathways curriculum, the strategic plan, or other University priorities; and the nominee’s commitment to student success.
Recent Recipients
Recipient | Academic Department | Academic Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Emma Treadway Emilio de Antuñano Villarreal | Engineering Science History | 2025-26 |
| Gregory Clines Suning Zhu | Religion Finance and Business Analytics | 2024-25 |
| Erin Kramer Kathryn Santos | History English | 2023-24 |
| Orrin Shindell Benjamin Sosnaud | Physics and Astronomy Sociology and Anthropology | 2022-23 |
| Gina Tam Diana Young | History Finance and Business Analytics | 2021-22 |
| Christina Cooley Lauren Turek | Chemistry History | 2020-21 |
| Sara Beth Kaufman Andrew Kraebel | Sociology and Anthropology English | 2019-20 |
Dr. and Mrs. Z. T. Scott Faculty Fellowship
Each year, Trinity University honors one Trinity faculty member with the Dr. and Mrs. Z. T. Scott Faculty Fellowship for excellence in teaching and advising. The fellowship consists of a cash award and an additional stipend to be used by the recipient to enhance his or her professional development as a teacher and adviser. The recipient is announced and recognized at the Faculty Assembly and the Spring Commencement ceremonies in May.
All nominees must be currently tenured at Trinity University. Nominating letters should address the nominee’s qualifications for this award – for instance, sustained effectiveness as a teacher and adviser, high expectations for student performance, involvement with the University community outside the classroom, and the ability to integrate teaching and scholarly interests.
Recent Recipients
Recipient | Academic Department | Academic Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Timothy O'Sullivan | Classical Studies | 2025-26 |
| Kathleen Surpless | Earth and Environmental Geoscience | 2024-25 |
| J. Charlene Davis | Business Administration | 2023-24 |
| Betsy Winakur Tontiplaphol | English | 2022-23 |
| Jane Childers | Psychology | 2021-22 |
| Carey Latimore | History | 2020-21 |
| Ben Surpless | Geosciences | 2019-20 |
Dr. Deneese L. Jones Award for Inclusive Excellence
An award presented to a tenured or tenure-track faculty member and one $2,000 award to a staff member for outstanding teaching, scholarship, and/or service in support of inclusive excellence.
Criteria for selection include the significance of the nominee’s commitment to inclusive excellence, a value embodied in the life and career of Dr. Deneese L. Jones, a multicultural educator, scholar of equity pedagogy, and senior academic leader with a career in education spanning more than forty years. Dr. Jones was the Vice President for Academic Affairs from 2016-2021 and was the first woman of color to serve in this role at Trinity University.
Recent Recipients
Recipient | Academic Department | Academic Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Michele Johnson E'Randa Newsome | Biology Center for International Engagement | 2025-26 |
| Nicole Fratto Garcia Heather Haynes-Smith | Admissions Education | 2024-25 |
| Corina Maeder LadyStacie Rimes-Boyd | Chemistry Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success | 2023-24 |
| Elseke Membreño-Zenteno Rita E. Urquijo-Ruiz | Center for International Engagement Modern Languages and Literatures | 2022-23 |
| Jie Zhang Shawne Stewart-Zakaria | Modern Languages and Literatures Alumni Relations and Development | 2021-22 |
Murchison Term Professorships
The Murchison Term Professorships honor exceptional achievement in teaching, scholarship or creative activity, and service among Trinity faculty members. To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must have served as a full-time faculty member at Trinity for 10 years and as a tenured faculty member at the rank of professor for five years by June 1, 2023. Each Murchison Term Professorship is accompanied by a reward of $20,000 annually in the form of a salary supplement, a research stipend, or a combination of the two. Each professorship is awarded for a three-year term.
Recent Recipients
Recipient | Academic Department | Academic Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Maria Pia Paganelli Andrew Porter Amy Stone | Economics English Sociology and Anthropology | 2025-26 |
| Jonathan King Jennifer Mathews Judith Norman | Biology Sociology and Anthropology Philosophy | 2022-23 |
Piper Professorship
The Piper Professorship is awarded annually by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation of Texas. The purpose of the award is to recognize college professors for their achievements in teaching, advising, and service in higher education. Approximately 100 individuals from across the state are nominated each year, and fifteen persons are named Piper Professors for that year.
Trinity University may nominate one faculty member for consideration. In addition to the distinction of being named Piper Professors, the selected professors are presented a cash award of $5,000 each and other tokens of recognition. The Piper Professor Committee at Trinity is charged with seeking nominations from faculty members, students, and alumni.
Recent Recipients
Recipient | Academic Department | Academic Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Surpless | Earth and Environmental Geosciences | 2024-25 |
President’s Award for Excellence in Student Advocacy
Established in 2018, the President's Award for Excellence in Student Advocacy recognizes a faculty or staff member who has been a significant partner in supporting student success both inside and outside the classroom. Awardees are chosen based on how they support student success in and/or outside the classroom and how they go beyond the typical responsibilities of their role.
Recent Recipients
Recipient | Academic Department | Academic Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Stacey Lenderman Amy Stone | Athletics Sociology and Anthropology | 2025-26 |
| Hajrah Kashmiri Jennifer Henderson | International Student & Scholar Services and Center of International Engagement Academic Affairs | 2024-25 |
| Kelly Grey Carlisle Betty Curry | English Academic Support | 2023-24 |
| Alex Gallin-Parisi Elseke Membreño-Zenteno | Library Center for International Engagement | 2022-23 |
| Corina Maeder Valerie Schweers | Chemistry Enrollment Management | 2021-22 |
| Benjamin Sosnaud Shannon Twumasi | Sociology and Anthropology Student Affairs | 2020-21 |
| Christina Pikla Jacob Tingle | Financial Aid Experiential Learning | 2019-20 |
Danny and Kimberly Anderson Faculty Prize
The Danny and Kimberly Anderson Faculty Prize was created to honor the presidency of Danny J. Anderson, Ph.D., who retired in May 2022. This award, made possible by combined gifts from the Trinity University Board of Trustees and Board of Visitors, recognizes exceptional contributions by Trinity faculty members in the mentorship of research students.
Recent Recipients
| Recipient | Academic Department | Academic Year Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Carolyn Becker | Psychology | 2025-26 |
| Gregory Clines | Religion | 2024-25 |
| John Anders | Economics | 2023-24 |
| Amy Stone | Sociology and Anthropology | 2022-23 |
Student Honors
Dean's List
In order to merit the honor of being placed on the Dean’s List, a student must have completed 15 or more grade point-carrying hours of credit in one semester and have earned a grade point average of 3.65 or above. Names of students achieving this distinction are published at the close of each semester.
Dean’s List Notations
Students who have earned inclusion on the Dean's List will have a notation on their TU transcript. The transcript serves as the official record of this honor.
Congratulations to all!
View the current Dean's list (PDF).