Faculty Honors & Awards

Horn Professorships, the highest faculty honor that the university may bestow, are granted to tenured professors in recognition of their attainment or national and/or international distinction for having made a unique and significant impact on their field through outstanding research or other creative scholarly achievement.

• Dr. Bill Westney, School of Music
• Dr. Mary Jean Van Appledorn, School of Music, Emerita 2009

The Barnie E. Rushing, Jr. Faculty Distinguished Research Award recognizes faculty members who have achieved national and/or international recognition for their scholarship, publications in leading journals, creative work, service on editorial boards, peer-reviewed research projects, patents and license agreements, and/or other significant measures appropriate to the individual's discipline. Nominees for this award are designated as the college’s Outstanding Researcher for the year, and receive the Fine Arts Doctoral Program’s Fine Arts Award for Excellence in Creative/Research.

• Professor Ali Duffy, School of Theatre and Dance, 2021
• Dr. Susan Brumfield, School of Music, 2019
• Professor Tina Fuentes, School of Art, 2018
• Dr. Angela Mariani, School of Music, 2017

• Professor Ali Duffy, School of Theatre and Dance, 2021
• Dr. Susan Brumfield, School of Music, 2014
• Professor Rick Dingus, School of Art, 2013
• Dr. Susan Brumfield, School of Music, 2012
• Dr. Dorothy Chansky, School of Theatre & Dance, 2011
• Dr. Janice Killian, School of Music, 2010
• Professor Rick Dingus, School of Art, 2007
• Professor Karl Dent, School of Music, 2006
• Professor Lynwood Kreneck, School of Art, 2005
• Dr. Mary Jeanne Van Appledorn, School of Music, 2004

The Chancellor’s Council Distinguished Research Award is the highest award given by the Texas Tech University System and recognizes faculty members who represent the best in academic instruction and research.

• David Sears, 2025
• Professor Mallory Prucha, School of Theatre and Dance, 2023
• Dr. Andy Stetson, School of Music, 2022
• Dr. Heather Warren-Crow, Professor of Interdisciplinary Arts, 2018
• Dr. Carla Cash, School of Music, 2015
• Professor Christie Blizard, School of Art, 2012

Candidates for the President's Book Award must have published a book within the year; the nomination is reviewed by selected faculty who present recommendations to the awards committee.

• Dr. Angela Mariani, School of Music, 2019
• Dr. Dorothy Chansky, School of Theatre and Dance, 2018
• Dr. Dorothy Chansky, School of Theatre & Dance, 2006
• Dr. William Westney, School of Music, 2005

• Dr. William Gelber, School of Theatre & Dance, 2015
• Professor James Decker, School of Music, 2014

The President’s Academic Achievement Award rewards excellence in achievement across the teaching/research/service missions of the university. It requires evidence of productive scholarship, peer recognition in one or more areas, and demonstrated competence in all areas.

• Professor Gerald Dolter, School of Music, 2014
• Professor Genevieve Durham DeCesaro, School of Theatre & Dance, 2013

The Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes members of the Texas Tech University faculty for teaching excellence, as evidenced by their attainment of distinction both within and beyond the institution for outstanding teaching and outstanding contributions related to excellence in teaching.

• Jacqueline Henninger, 2025
• Professor Alan D. Shinn, School of Music, 2019
• Dr. Lora Deahl, School of Music, 2017
• Dr. Janice Killian, School of Music, 2012
• Dr. William Westney, School of Music, 2009

The President's Excellence in Teaching Award results from excellence in a teaching role and is nominated by the dean's letter summarizing teaching activities.

• Annie Chalex Boyle, School of Theatre & Music, 2024
• Professor Robin Germany, School of Art, 2023
• Professor Rachel Hirshorn-Johnston, School of Theatre and Dance, 2022
• Professor Lauryn Salazar, School of Music, 2020
• Professor Von Venhuizen, School of Art, 2019
• Dr. Angela Mariani, School of Music, 2018
• Dr. Linda Donahue, School of Theatre and Dance, 2017
• Professor Nicole Wesley, School of Theatre & Dance, 2015
• Dr. Kevin Wass, School of Music, 2014
• Professor Lisa Garner Santa, School of Music, 2013
• Dr. William Gelber, School of Theatre & Dance, 2012
• Dr. Jorgelina Orfila, School of Art, 2011
• Dr. Christopher J. Smith, School of Music, 2010
• Professor Genevieve Durham DeCesaro, School of Theatre & Dance, 2009
• Dr. Lisa Rogers, School of Music, 2008
• Dr. Wayne Hobbs, School of Music, 2007
• Dr. John Gilbert, School of Music, 2006
• Professor David Shea, School of Music, 2005
• Professor Carla Tedeschi, School of Art, 2004
• Professor Robly Glover, School of Art, 2003

This award recognizes a professor with a maximum of four years at Texas Tech University whose excellence in teaching has been attested to by students, faculty, and administrators.

• Dr. Andy Stetson, School of Music, 2016
• Dr. Thomas Cimarusti, School of Music, 2012

The President's Excellence in Engaged Scholarship Award recognizes Texas Tech faculty or faculty-staff teams for an exemplary project or activity that addresses an important community need and/or creates solutions to larger societal issues based on mutually beneficial partnerships with communities. "Communities" are broadly defined as any group of people affiliated by shared characteristics (such as geographical proximity, special interests, similar circumstances, needs, or values). The award is bestowed for a longer-term project or activity and recognizes the depth and scope of the university-community partnerships involved as well as the profound resulting impacts on both the community and the university (faculty, staff, or students). The award will go to the highest ranked faculty-led project/activity in each of the following categories: Community Engaged Research, Community Engaged Creative Activity, Community Engaged Teaching or Community Engaged Service.

• Associate Professor Mallory Prucha, School of Theatre & Dance, 2024

To recognize outstanding contributions to the commercialization of innovative work conducted by Texas Tech University faculty.

• Susan Brumfield, 2025

• Professor Gerald Dolter, School of Music, 2015

The President's Excellence in Diversity and Equity Awards recognize Texas Tech faculty, staff, and students in their efforts to make Texas Tech a welcoming campus through their commitment to service, mutual respect, academic and intellectual freedom, and diversity.

• Dr. Thomas Cimarusti, School of Music, 2012

The Institute for Inclusive Excellence is designed to provide activities that promote a greater understanding of the academic value of diversity and equity among Texas Tech faculty.

• Dr. Dennis E. Fehr, School of Art, 2012

The Institute for Inclusive Excellence presents this award to honor outstanding vision, dedication, and commitment to Inclusive Excellence.

• Dr. Thomas Cimarusti, School of Music, 2015

This award honors development and implementation of study abroad programs that support TTU's commitment to providing high quality international education opportunities.

• Dr. Linda Donahue, School of Theatre and Dance, 2014

This award honors the promotion, work, and creation of study abroad programs.

• Dr. Christopher J. Smith, School of Music, 2011

The award is given to outstanding faculty who go above and beyond, both inside and outside the classroom, to impact their student's learning and academic success.

• Professor Bruce Herman, School of Theatre and Dance, 2012
• Dr. Ed Check, School of Art, 2006

The founders of Omicron Delta Kappa formulated the idea that leadership of exceptional quality and versatility in college should be recognized, and that representatives in all phases of college life should cooperate in worthwhile endeavors, meeting on a basis of mutual interest, understanding, and helpfulness. The award recognizes and honors meritorious leadership and service in extracurricular activities that encourage development of general campus citizenship.

• Professor Duane Hill, School of Music, 2014
• Dr. Dorothy Chansky, School of Theatre and Dance, 2014
• Dr. Quinn Ankrum, School of Music, 2011
• Professor Carla Tedeschi, School of Art, 2009

Offered by the Office of Undergraduate Education & Student Affairs, the award honors innovation in instructional design and care for freshman students making their transition into the university.

• Professor Nicole Wesley, School of Theatre & Dance, 2015

• Ali Duffy, Theatre & Dance, 2025

• School of Music, 2024

• Linda Donahue, Department of Theater and Dance, 2015

• J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts, 2012