College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) faculty gathered March 23 at the annual CAS Dean’s Award dinner to recognize excellence in research, scholarship and creative activity, as well as awards for advising. Donald E. Hall, Herb and Ann Siegel Dean of the College, served as emcee for the evening as faculty gathered in the Asa Packer Dining Room of the Lehigh’s University Center.
In his welcoming remarks, Hall noted that he was inspired by the scholarship produced by CAS faculty.
“Lehigh’s reputation for academic excellence is not possible without the passion and commitment of our faculty. As I reviewed the nominees for recognition in our three different college sectors—arts/humanities, natural sciences/mathematics, and social sciences—I was extremely impressed with the contributions these faculty have made toward the college’s academic mission.”
Recipients were recognized for their significant impacts on their respective disciplines, departments, the college or Lehigh. In recognition of their work, each recipient received a $2,500 award deposited into a professional development account. Receiving awards for excellence in research, scholarship and creative activity were:
- Benjamin Wright, professor of religion studies and University Distinguished Professor, whose 2015 book The Letter of Aristeas: Aristeas to Philocrates or on the Translation of the Law of the Jews, is considered scholarship that is reshaping the field of religion studies;
- Robert Flowers, professor and Danser Distinguished Chair of chemistry, for his work in physical organic chemistry and the tools techniques he has developed;
- Dinissa Duvanova, assistant professor of international relations, for her research on business-state relations, state regulatory quality, bureaucratic institutions, and especially the sources, consequences and responses to corruption.
Four faculty were also recognized with the Schaufeld Awards for Advising Excellence. These awards are made possible through the generosity of Lehigh alums Fred and Karen Schaufeld. Fred is class of 1981 and Karen is Class of 1983. Karen holds a B.A. in English and Government, serves as a member of the college’s dean’s advisory council, and is a trustee to the university. The Schaufeld award recognizes extraordinary efforts in undergraduate student advising. Nominations were reviewed by a panel of three CAS faculty members and each recipient received or shared a $2,500 award deposited to a professional development account. Receiving awards for advising excellence were:
- Hyun-Tae Jung, assistant professor of architecture in the department of art, architecture and design, for his efforts to empower student and prepare them for careers or graduate school;
- Linda Lowe-Krentz, professor of biochemistry in the department of biological sciences, who helped to shape the new advising structure in the College and imparts knowledge and compassion to students from a wide range of backgrounds;
- Michael Kuchka, associate professor of molecular biology in the department of biological sciences, for his work advancing the department’s undergraduate program and advocacy of students he mentors; and
- Jeremy Littau, assistant professor of journalism in the department of journalism and communication, who is sought out as an advisor by students, serves as counselor to the Brown and White students, and finds innovative ways to mentor students.
The Dean’s Awards are presented annually and recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences at Lehigh University. Faculty are recognized for work in service, teaching and research, scholarship and creative activity. Categories are recognized tri-annually. Awards for service will be presented in 2017.
