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Awards

Ann Dunn Award

This annual award is given to one full-time clerical or professional employee in the College of Communication and Fine Arts. It includes a $300 cash prize and a plaque. The nominee must have made significant and sustained contributions to the College.

Letters of nomination may be submitted to the CCFA Dean by anyone familiar with the candidate's performance. Nominations must be received in a "confidential" envelope. The CCFA Dean will announce the recipient at the annual Fall Faculty Meeting in August.

Nomination deadline is April 12, 2025. For further information, contact Latoya Boyland.

Annual Academic Advising Award

This award is give to a faculty or staff member who has demonstrated outstanding academic advisory abilities. The award includes a $300 cash prize and a plaque. Runners up get $100. Recipients will be announced during the Fall Faculty Meeting. 

Nomination is not required; the award is based on student evaluations. Please contact Dai Bledsoe for further information.

Benjamin W. Rawlins, Jr. Meritorious Professorship Award

The Benjamin W. Rawlins, Jr. Meritorious Professorship Award is one of the highest distinctions given to a faculty member in the College of Communication and Fine Arts.

The award is open to associate or full professors within the College of Communication and Fine Arts who have served as members of the faculty for a minimum of eight (8) years. These professors must demonstrate outstanding and sustained contributions to scholarly-creative activity, teaching, service, and outreach, bringing honor and recognition to the College and the University. The award carries with it an annual stipend of $8,000 and may be awarded for one or two years.

The purpose of the Professorship is to provide a unique and invaluable opportunity to reward outstanding faculty within the College of Communication and Fine Arts. In addition, it will assist in perpetuating and expanding the efforts of the faculty in bringing national and international recognition to the College, the University, and the community, as well as to perpetuate the legacy of Benjamin W. Rawlins, Jr., former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Union Planters Corporation, for his contribution to the Memphis community.

Each CCFA department and the School of Music should submit at least one nomination that meets the criteria. Faculty members, department chairs or other college administrators can nominate eligible candidates to the office of the Dean. A letter of nomination along with the nominee's current vita is required.

Nomination deadline is April 12, 2025. For further information, contact Latoya Boyland.

Please send nominations to:

  • Benjamin Rawlins, Jr. Meritorious Faculty Award
    ATTN: Dean Dr. Debra Burns
    University of Memphis, College of Communication and Fine Arts
    232 CFA Building
    Memphis, TN 38152

Dean's Award for Creative Achievement

This award recognizes outstanding achievement in the creative arts. Applicants may be self-nominated or nominated by a colleague. Nominations are submitted to the Creative Achievement Award Committee, which will submit recommendations to the CCFA Dean. Previous winners may re-enter after a five-year lapse of time, and there are no limits on how many times previous winners may be nominated. The award includes a $500 cash award and an award plaque. Nominations should be sent to the Associate Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts.

For more information, download complete guidelines.

Dean's Award Cover Sheet (pdf) — to be submitted with nomination. For further information, contact Latoya Boyland. 

Nomination deadline: April 5, 2025.

Dean's Award for Outstanding Research

This award recognizes outstanding achievement in scholarly research. Applicants may be self-nominated or nominated by a colleague. Nominations are submitted to the Outstanding Research Award Committee, which will submit recommendations to the CCFA Dean. Previous winners may re-enter after a five-year lapse of time, and there are no limits on how many times previous winners may be nominated. The award includes a $500 cash award and an award plaque. Nominations should be sent to the Associate Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts. 

For more information, download complete guidelines. 

Dean's Award Cover Sheet (pdf) — to be submitted with nomination. For further information, contact Latoya Boyland. 

Nomination deadline: April 5, 2025.

Dean's Award for Excellence in Engaged Scholarship

This award recognizes excellence in engaged scholarship. Applicants may be self-nominated or nominated by a colleague. Nominations are submitted to the Award for Excellence in Engaged Scholarship Committee, which will make recommendations to the CCFA Dean. Previous winners may re-enter after a five-year lapse of time, and there are no limits on how many times previous winners may be nominated. The award includes a $500 cash award and an award plaque. Nominations should be sent to the Associate Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts.

For more information, download complete guidelines. For further information, contact Latoya Boyland.

Dean's Award Cover Sheet (pdf) — to be submitted with nomination. 

Nomination deadline: April 5, 2025.