For release: April 16, 2012
For press information, contact Curt Guenther, 901/678-2843

This is Faculty Scholarship Week at the University of Memphis, which will culminate this Friday with Faculty Convocation.

During the week, several faculty members will give presentations in the McWherter Library, and their work and those of many of their colleagues will be on display in the lobby of the library all week and in the lobby of the Rose Theatre on Friday afternoon.  Available for viewing will be books, films, CDs, artwork, books, and other items created by U of M faculty members. 

Art professor Elizabeth Edwards discussed her paintings Monday, and chemistry professor Mark Freilich will be the speaker Wednesday, April 18, at 11:30 a.m. in Room 225 of the library.

Friday is also the date of the 25^th Annual Faculty Convocation in the Rose Theatre.  Awards for teaching, research, and advising, including the Willard Sparks Eminent Faculty Award, will recognize a number of professors.

Receiving the most prestigious faculty honor, the Willard R. Sparks Eminent Faculty Award, will be Dr. Dipankar Dasgupta, professor of computer science and an internationally recognized expert in cyber security.

The Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching Awards will be given to four professors – Dr. Sara Bridges in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Research; Dr. Tammy Jones in the Department of English; Dr. Thomas Meservy in the Department of Management Information Systems;  and Dr. Peter Wright, holder of the Chair of Excellence in Free Enterprise Management in the Fogelman College of Business and Economics.

Five professors will be honored with the Alumni Association Distinguished Research Award.  Beth Edwards will be honored for her work in the creative arts, Dr. Emily Thrush for achievement in the humanities, Dr. Margaret Vandiver for research in the social sciences, Dr. Sanjay Mishra for his work in the area of science, engineering, or mathematics, and Dr. Joy Clay in the field of engaged scholarship.

The Thomas W. Briggs Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award will be presented to Dr. Mark Freilich in chemistry and Kriangsiri “Top” Malasri in computer science.

The Alumni Association Distinguished Advising Award will honor political science professor Dr. Robert Blanton and University College adviser Sara Williams.

The Allen J. Hammond Presidential Service Award will be given to Sheri Lipman, University counsel.  The Hammond Award is not given every year, but is reserved for special recognition of people who have rendered significant service to the University.  It is named for the late Allen J. Hammond, former director of Student Financial Aid at the University.