CAS Recognizes Excellence, Service at Annual End‑of‑Year Celebration

As the semester ends, the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) is reflecting on a year marked by growth, connection, and meaningful accomplishments across our community.

On Thursday, April 30, faculty and staff gathered in UNCG’s Cone Ballroom for the annual CAS End‑of‑Year Celebration, an afternoon dedicated to honoring the people who help the College thrive. Dean Kelly Joyce recognized this year’s CAS retirees, who together represent an extraordinary 377 years of service, and celebrated faculty and staff whose excellence in teaching, advising, and service has shaped the student experience.

Below you’ll find this year’s honorees, along with photos from the event.

RETIREES

David Wharton (Ancient Mediterranean Studies & Archaeology) – 37 years

Jonathan Zarecki (Ancient Mediterranean Studies & Archaeology) – 20 years

Patty Booker (Biology) – 28 years

Megan Corum (Biology) – 30 years

Nancy Bucknall (CASA) – 32 years

Amy Adamson (CAS Dean’s Office) – 25 years

Cathy Payne (CAS Dean’s Office) – 22 years

Alice Haddy (Chemistry & Biochemistry) – 32 years

Jennifer Keith (English) – 29 years

Lisa Tolbert (History) – 32 years

Tatia Beal (Languages, Literatures, & Cultures) – 26 years

Edward Hellen (Physics & Astronomy) – 32 years

Promod Pratap (Physics & Astronomy) – 32 years

COLLEGE TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARDs

Tenured: Jeffrey Kaplan (Philosophy)

Tenure-track: Ron Belmont (Physics & Astronomy)

Professional Track: Heather Rushforth (Biology)

COLLEGE STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Paul Hidalgo (Biology)

Caitlin Saraphis (CASA)

Denise Greenwell (Mathematics & Statistics)

COLLEGE Excellence in advising AWARDS

Christine Flood (History)

Jeff Colbert (Political Science)

UNIVERSITY and UNC System AWARDS

Gladys Strawn Bullard Award: Jennifer Feather (English)

Student Success’s Academic Advising Excellence Award: Annemarie Sohler (Biology)

James Y. Joyner Alumni Teaching Excellence Award: Insa Lawler (Philosophy)

Mary Settle Sharp Alumni Teaching Excellence Award: Faye Stewart (Languages, Literatures & Cultures)

Senior Research Excellence Award: Paul Knapp (Geography, Environment & Sustainability)

Early Career Research Excellence Award: Heather Adams (English)

Ezekiel Robinson Staff Emeritus Award: Cathy Payne (CAS Dean’s Office)

All Southern Conference Faculty Award: Janet Boseovski (Psychology)

Thomas Undergraduate Research Mentor Award for Professional Track Faculty: Jessica Caporaso (Psychology)

Service AWARDS

During the event, CAS recognized long‑serving faculty and staff—those marking 15, 20, 25, and 30 years—with service pins. Milestones of five and 10 years were celebrated within individual departments, where colleagues received their pins directly from department leadership. Click here to view a full list of service pin recipients.