IRVING, Texas (Jan. 25, 2024) — The University of Dallas recognized dedicated faculty members last Tuesday at this year’s King/Haggar Awards Ceremony.

The annual ceremony celebrates faculty members who show outstanding commitment to both research and teaching, as well as those who are retiring. The Haggar Scholar Awards support faculty members’ research, and the Haggerty Excellence in Teaching Awards honor devoted educators. The King and Haggar Fellow Awards each recognize one devoted professor who demonstrates excellence in both scholarship and teaching.

The top honorees were Associate Professor of Italian Anthony Nussmeier, PhD, and Professor of Politics Richard Dougherty, MA ’89 PhD ’93.

Nussmeier received the Haggar Fellow Award. During his introduction, Nussmeier was commended for his research on Dante and his development of the Italian major.

“His energy is indefatigable; he threw himself into the life of the university from the moment he arrived,” Associate Professor of Drama Kyle Lemieux, MFA, said of Nussmeier. “His congenial collegiality is renowned, and his promotion of Italian events, Masses and the major itself has been an unforgettable gift to the university.”

Dougherty, who also serves as dean of the Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts, received the King Fellow Award. Dougherty is the first Braniff alumnus to serve as dean, and he has published widely on medieval political philosophy and Augustine.

“A quiet-spoken person, he nevertheless exudes passion and insight. Students admire his care and concern for them and appreciate the rigor of his lectures and seminars,” Provost Matthias Vorwerk, PhD, said of Dougherty. “He seemingly has been on every doctoral comprehensive exam for decades, and his questions outside of his own discipline are always astute. In addition, he’s a fine family man, accomplishing his commitments without ever sacrificing his family.”

Additionally, the following faculty members were presented with Haggar Scholar Awards, which provide faculty research funding:

• Debra Romanick Baldwin (English)

• Jennifer Bannister (Finance)

• Sarah Berry (English)

• Janette Boazman (Education and Classical Learning)

• Susannah Bingham Buck (Library Archives)

• Daniel Burns (Politics)

• William Cody (Biology)

• Gregory Cruess (Theology)

• Jonathan Dannatt (Chemistry)

• Amy Fisher Smith (Psychology)

• Kelly Gibson (History)

• Andrew Glicksman (Theology)

• Jenny Gu (Finance)

• Jon Paul Heyne (History)

• Christi Ivers (Modern Languages - Spanish)

• Kevin Kambo (Philosophy)

• Theresa Kenney (English)

• Yoshiaki Nakazawa (Education and Classical Learning)

• Cynthia Nielsen (Philosophy)

• Kelly O’Briant (Art - Ceramics)

• Andrew Osborn (English)

• Marisa Perez-Bernardo (Modern Languages - Spanish)

• Mark Petersen (History)

• Carla Pezzia (Biology)

• Aida Ramos (Economics)

• Elizabeth Robinson (Classics)

• Stephanie Swales (Psychology)

• Bernadette Waterman Ward (English)

A number of professors were granted sabbatical leave:

• Debra Romanick Baldwin (English)

• Scott Crider (English)

• Fr. Thomas Esposito, OCist (Theology)

• Kyle Lemieux (Drama)

• Kelly O’Briant (Art - Ceramics)

• Paul Phillips (Mathematics)

• Elizabeth Robinson (Classics)

• Philip Shore (Art - Sculpture)

• Deanna Soper (Biology)

• Drew Stenesen (Biology)

For their skill in connecting with students, John Norris presented the following faculty members with Haggerty Excellence in Teaching Awards:

• Laura Muñoz (Business)

• Richard Olenick (Physics)

• Peter Hatlie (Classics)

• Susan Hanssen (History)

• Michael West (English)

Several professors will retire at the end of the current academic year:

• William Frank (Philosophy)

• Fr. James Lehrberger, OCist (Philosophy)

• Richard Olenick (Physics)

Frank and Fr. James are retiring as emeriti professors after being nominated for emeritus status by their departments and awarded it by the Faculty Development Committee. Emeritus status was also granted to Robert Scott Dupree, PhD, BA ’62, and Scott Churchill, PhD, who retired last year.

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.