The George Washington University celebrated faculty achievement in teaching, research and service Monday night at the fourth annual faculty honors ceremony. Active faculty with 25 years of continuous full-time service to GW and new inductees into the university’s Society of the Emeriti also were recognized in the ceremony, which featured remarks from George Washington President Steven Knapp and Provost Steven Lerman.
“Henry Adams made the following observation: ‘A teacher affects eternity,’” Dr. Lerman said in welcoming remarks. “That’s a great way of noting that the students we teach now are part of a great chain of teachers and students. I’m very grateful for all of you who are part of that chain.”
Oscar and Shoshana Trachtenberg Faculty Prizes—endowed by President Emeritus Stephen Joel Trachtenberg in honor of his late parents—were presented to Kathryn Newcomer, professor of public policy and public administration, for university service; James E. Foster, professor of economics and international affairs, for scholarship; and Anupama Phene, associate professor of international business, for teaching.
The Trachtenberg prizes are the top faculty awards granted by the university.
“Research takes a lot of thought and a lot of time to create something that’s lasting, and I would say, honestly, that it takes great colleagues to help that come into effect—faculty and students who have helped me create the research I’ve done here,” said Dr. Foster, a leading scholar on global policy and international development who co-authored a book in 2013 with the World Bank on poverty and inequality. “Without students the research really would not move forward.”
The university presented Morton A. Bender Teaching Awards—which include a $1,000 prize for faculty development—to Jacqueline S. Barnett, assistant professor of health care sciences; Ellen F. Goldman, associate professor of human and organizational learning and clinical research and leadership; and Natalia Romanova, adjunct instructor in English for academic purposes.
“I am really deeply honored,” Dr. Romanova said. “I feel truly special to be receiving this award, and to be listed among so many brilliant teachers who went before me and who are receiving this award this year as well.”
Philip J. Amsterdam Graduate Teaching Awards were presented to Sarah Alcala in the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Andrew Du in the Department of Anthropology, Shannon Mancus in the Department of American Studies and Yiseon Yoo in the Department of Economics.
Writing in the Disciplines prizes, given to faculty members who teach WID courses, were awarded to Yongsheng Leng, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and Edward Cherian, professor of information systems and technology management.
Videos including testimonials from honored faculty members were shown during the presentations, which took place at a filled Jack Morton Auditorium. Guests in attendance included several members of the university’s Board of Trustees—among them Chair Nelson Carbonell, B.S. ’85—and GW students, faculty and administrators
“It’s important to come together as a community to recognize the achievements of our faculty in all the dimensions of their activities,” Dr. Knapp said. “If you are looking for the definition of the university, it is a community of scholars. We need to pause periodically and reflect on the achievements we collectively enjoy.”
GW recognized 27 members of the faculty with Silver Anniversary awards, in recognition of their 25 years of continuous full-time service to the university, and inducted 22 faculty members into the university’s Society of the Emeriti. Two emeriti recipients were inducted posthumously: William Chambliss, professor of sociology, and William Griffith, professor of philosophy. They, along with the late Krishna Kumar, professor of accountancy, were recognized with a moment of silence during the ceremony.