Clockwise, from top left, Talia Welsh, Michael Thompson, Kira Robison and Josh Hamblen
Four professors from UTC have been announced as 2021 Faculty Award winners by the UT Alumni Association.
One is the only winner selected for the Alumni Distinguished Service Professor Award. Another is one of only two faculty members chosen in the Alumni Public Service Award. Two others were selected as Outstanding Teachers.
All four professors are from the UTC College of Arts and Sciences.
Winners are selected by colleagues and alumni of the four universities that make up the UT system—UTC, UT Knoxville, UT Martin and the Health Science Center at Memphis.
“The faculty awards are extremely meaningful because it’s chosen from across the campus. It gives the individual inspiration to maintain good and positive work,” said Jamie Harvey, associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Services and past president of the UTC Faculty Senate.
Talia Welsh, UC Foundation professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion, won the Distinguished Service Professor Award which comes with an annual $1,000 cash award for three consecutive years. Since 1962, 96 faculty at UT campuses across the state have won this award.
Among the reasons cited in Dr. Welsh’s nomination for the award were her work in the Department of Philosophy and Religion Honors program and her dedication to teaching and working with students. Also noted were the more than 60 presentations and panel discussions in which she has participated both nationally and international and the more than 25 articles and book chapters she has written as well as books of her own.
“Being a philosopher means living philosophically, and for me that means being attentive to those around me and responsive to their needs," said Dr. Welsh. "I’m delighted to receive this award as service has always been central to my work and thought."
Michael Thompson, head of the Department of History and a UC Foundation associate professor, won the Alumni Public Service Award and its $1,000 cash prize. Since 1973, 115 recipients have received this award.
“I am deeply humbled to receive this recognition from the UTAA,” Dr. Thompson said. “It is a privilege and honor to serve the UTC and Chattanooga communities, and I accept this award on behalf of my colleagues in the UTC History Department and their many impactful acts of public service.”
Josh Hamblen, UC Foundation associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics, and Kira Robison, associate professor in the Department of History, are Alumni Outstanding Teacher Award winners.
For this year’s awards, 10 professors were selected for Outstanding Teacher based on nominations from faculty and students. Each receives a $1,000 check. Since 1966, 510 faculty honorees have been selected by their colleagues and students from all UT campuses. Each receives a $1,000 cash award. Since 1966, 510 faculty honorees have been selected by their colleagues and students from all UT campuses.