Irving, TX (Jan. 28, 2022) — Over 100 members of the University of Dallas’ faculty community gathered last week at the annual King / Haggar Awards Ceremony to honor those who have demonstrated teaching excellence in the classroom and those who are embarking on notable scholarly pursuits beyond the classroom.

“As we reflect on the achievements of our faculty,” said Interim Provost Tammy Leonard, Ph.D., “it’s helpful to remind ourselves of the good we are committed to — of the deeper implications that our daily, small efforts hold for the work we do in promoting the common good here at UD and by extension in society at large.”
Each year since 1985, UD’s faculty have gathered for the prestigious event to recognize professors who, as President Jonathan J. Sanford, Ph.D., noted in his opening remarks, place “[their] students’ formation in the true, good and beautiful ever in the forefront of [their] efforts.”
Nominated by faculty and chosen by the faculty development committee, this year’s honorees were:
- Haggar Fellow: Associate Professor of English Kathryn “Katie” Davis, Ph.D.
- King Fellow: Professor of English Scott Crider, Ph.D.
As is the tradition, the 2021 King Fellow, Professor of Management J. Lee Whittington, Ph.D., delivered an address, “I Know Why I Am Here,” and the 2021 Haggar Fellow, Associate Professor and Chair of Biology William Cody, Ph.D., presented the Haggar Scholar Awards to the following:
- Irene Alexander, Ph.D., Theology
- Janette Boazman, Ph.D., Education
- Daniel Burns, Ph.D., Politics
- Scott Churchill, Ph.D., Psychology
- Kathryn “Katie” Davis, Ph.D., English
- Amy Fisher-Smith, Ph.D., Psychology
- Julia Fulmore, Ph.D. Management
- Kelly Gibson, Ph.D., History
- Jenny Gu, Ph.D., Finance
- Debbie Hathaway, Acquisitions Librarian
- Jon Paul Heyne, Ph.D., History
- Jason Lewallen, Ph.D., Modern Languages, French
- Chris Malloy, Ph.D., Theology
- Renita Murimi, Ph.D., CISSP, Cybersecurity
- Stefan Novinski, MFA, Drama
- Anthony Nussmeier, Ph.D., Modern Languages, Italian
- Kelly O’Briant, MFA, Art, Ceramics
- Marisa Perez-Bernardo, Ph.D., Modern Languages, Spanish
- Mark Petersen, Ph.D., History
- Kristie Powell, Cataloging Librarian
- Aida Ramos, Ph.D., Economics
- Deanna Soper, Ph.D., Biology
- Stephanie Swales, Ph.D., Psychology
- Scott Wysong, Ph.D., Marketing
Haggerty Excellence in Teaching Awards were presented to the following individuals in recognition of their excellence in the classroom:
- Jonathan Culp, Ph.D., Politics
- Jonathan Dannatt, Ph.D., Chemistry
- John Paul Heyne, Ph.D., History
- Jeffrey Lehman, Ph.D., Classical Education
- Renita Murimi, Ph.D., CISSP, Cybersecurity
Additionally, a number of faculty were granted sabbaticals for one or both semesters of the 2022-23 academic year:
- Sandra Blanke, Ph.D., CISSP, Cybersecurity
- Kathryn “Katie” Davis, Ph.D., English
- Dean Brett Landry, Ph.D., CISSP, Cybersecurity
- Jason Lewallen, Ph.D., Modern Languages, French
- Rich Miller, DBA, Operations Management
- Jacob Moldenhauer, Ph.D., Physics
- Laura Munoz, Ph.D., Marketing
- Andrew Osborn, Ph.D., English
- Dean Josh Parens, Ph.D., Philosophy
- Lance Simmons, Ph.D., Philosophy
- David Upham, Ph.D., Politics
- Matthew Walz, Ph.D., Philosophy
- Bernadette Waterman Ward, Ph.D., English
Seven faculty members who will be retiring were honored for their service:
- Sue Conger, Ph.D., Technology Management
- Mike Cosgrove, Ph.D., Economics
- Blake Frank, Ph.D., Management
- Sally Hicks, Ph.D., Physics
- Bob Kugelmann, Ph.D., Psychology
- David Pope, Ph.D., Biology
- Samuel Weston, Ph.D., Economics
The Haggar Scholar, Haggar Fellow and King Fellow awards are made possible by the generous contributions of the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. Edmond R. Haggar. The Haggerty Teaching Excellence Awards are made possible by the generosity of The Haggerty Family Foundation.