University of Dallas Honors Faculty for Commitment to Excellence

Frank, Jewell Named King, Haggar Fellows during Annual Ceremony

“The light that shines from the University of Dallas is also found in the commitment of the University of Dallas faculty to the intellectual and moral virtues — a commitment often not found in other institutions of higher education,” said Provost Charles “C.W.” Eaker of the year’s faculty achievements during the 32nd King/Haggar Haggerty Faculty Award Ceremony. Awards presented during the prestigious event recognized and honored faculty who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to the university and to their students.

Professor of Philosophy William “Bill” Frank, who is “well-loved” by all students and “unstinting in his dedication,” was named the 2017 King Fellow, which honors a senior faculty member with more than eight years of service. His various titles throughout four decades of service – department chair, dean, academic director in Rome, academic advisor, faculty senator and faculty senate president – show the great extent of his commitment to the university.

Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology Marti Jewell, described as a “colleague who is always willing to share her time” and one who “truly embodies the Neuhoff mission of theological education for transformative service in every aspect of her work,” was named the 2017 Michael A. Haggar Fellow, awarded to a junior faculty member with eight or fewer years of service. A nationally known pastoral practitioner, researcher and scholar, she now directs graduate and undergraduate programs in the Ann & Joe O. Neuhoff Institute for Ministry & Evangelization.

In 1981, the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation and the Haggar Foundation helped create the King/Haggar Faculty Development Endowment, which made both the King Fellow and Haggar Fellow Awards possible and included funding for summer research stipends. Provost Jack Paynter instituted the first awards ceremony in 1985. Both awards, which are selected by the faculty development committee from faculty nominations, are considered the highest faculty honor, and recipients must have made a significant contribution to the university through scholarly work, excellence in teaching and as an exemplary colleague.

Five other awards from the Neuhoff Institute for Ministry & Evangelization and the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business, also honored faculty.

Fr. Rev. Rafael M. Ramirez, S.S.D., affiliate assistant professor of theology, was named the Cynthia and David Freeman Professor of Sacred Scripture, awarded to a ministry instructor for outstanding teaching, scholarship and service to the church. Fr. Ramirez has been essential to expanding the Neuhoff Institute for Ministry & Evangelization’s continuing education programs to better serve the educational needs of Hispanics in North Texas and throughout the United States.

Sandra Blanke, director for the Center of Cybersecurity Education and associate professor of management, was named the Ralph and Joy Ellis Endowed Chair in Management Technology for her “tireless pursuit to advance her students’ skills in the field of cybersecurity.” At a time when cybersecurity is ever more critical to business, Blanke remains devoted to her students and “advancing the study of technology and management,” a mission for which the endowed chair was founded.

Bruce Evans, professor of management, received the Impact Award to recognize his influence on Gupta College’s curriculum, his students and his relationships with Dallas/Fort Worth companies. More than 900 completed student projects have assisted more than 500 companies in North Texas as part of the college’s Capstone Consulting Experience, a hallmark program that he helped launch in 1973.

Laura Muñoz, associate professor of marketing, received the Engagement Award for her passion and enthusiasm for her students. As a faculty coach in national competitions and as adviser for Market Share - Marketing, an undergraduate student organization affiliated with the American Marketing Association, she is able to connect theory with practice to her students’ great benefit.

J. Lee Whittington, professor of management, received the Innovation Award for his leadership and development of the Gupta College’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program. With this unique doctoral degree — designed for professionals with extensive managerial experience looking to transform business practice — Whittington introduced Texas’ only DBA program accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).  

Haggar Scholar Awards, which provide faculty research funding, were presented to:

Daniel Burns, assistant professor of politics

Jonathan Culp, director of international students and associate professor of politics

David Davies, assistant professor of English and adjunct professor of classics

Jacob-Ivan Eidt, chairman of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures and program director and associate professor of German

Chad Engelland, assistant professor and director of the master’s program in philosophy

William Frank, professor of philosophy

Erin Freeman, assistant professor of psychology

Kelly Gibson, assistant professor of history

Marti Jewell, associate professor of pastoral theology

Christopher Malloy, associate professor of theology

Aida Ramos, assistant professor of economics

Stephanie Swales, assistant professor of psychology

The 2017 Haggerty Teaching Excellence Awards — supported and made possible by the Patrick and Beatrice Haggerty Foundation and determined by student and alumni votes — recognized the following faculty for their dedication to and excellence in teaching:

Frank Doe, associate professor of biology

Jenny Gu, assistant professor of finance

Thomas Jodziewicz, professor of history

Gregory Roper, associate professor of English and department chairman

David Sweet, associate professor of classics and department chairman