Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards 2023

Dear Texas Woman’s Colleagues,

It is my great pleasure to announce the faculty and staff award honorees for 2023, selected by committees of their peers. We will celebrate the winners on April 20 in the Dr. Phyllis J. Bridges Auditorium of the Student Union at Hubbard Hall and via livestream, 3 p.m.

Faculty Awards

Distinction in Teaching Award

Tina Gumienny, PhD, Associate Professor, School of the Sciences - Biology

Distinction in Distance Education

Deepani Tennakoon, PhD, Lecturer I, School of the Sciences – Biology

Distinction in Scholarship Awards

Christopher Brower, PhD, Associate Professor, School of the Sciences - Biology
Derek Miketinas, PhD, RD, Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Food Sciences – Houston

Distinction in Service Award

DiAnna Hynds, PhD, Professor, School of the Sciences - Biology

Innovation in Academia Award

Juliet Spencer, PhD, Director & Professor, School of the Sciences - Biology

Humphries Award

Nathaniel C. Mills, PhD, Professor, School of the Sciences - Biology

Mary Mason Lyon Award for Distinguished Junior Faculty

Carter Biggers, DMA, Director of Bands, Associate Professor of Music
Jayne Jennings Dunlap, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing - Houston

Cornaro Award

Jyutika Mehta, PhD, Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Oral Health and Director of the Stroke Center – Dallas

Award for Outstanding Contribution to the TWU Libraries

Elaine Cox, Senior Health Sciences Librarian II, Denton Campus

Staff Awards

Outstanding Achievement Award

Ivy Naude, Assistant Director for Marketing Events & Outreach for the College of Business
Rosa Rangel, Custodian II, Facilities Management - Houston

Award of Excellence

Vik Arunkumar, Associate Director for Residence Life

Feyten-Wick Health & WellBeing Champion Awards

Johnnie Moore, Maintenance Worker II, Facilities Management, Houston Campus
Suzi Rumohr, MLS, Science Librarian, TWU Libraries

Distinguished Service to Student Life Award

Lizabeth Spoonts, RDH, MS, Clinical Professor & Faculty Athletics Representative
Kathleen Davis, PhD, RND, Associate Professor of Nutrition and Food Sciences

Distinguished Service to Enrollment Management Award

Ruth A. Johnson, PhD, Associate Dean, Graduate School

Please join me in congratulating these well-deserved honorees.

Following the ceremony, Chartwells is sponsoring a reception in the Southwest Ballroom of the Student Union at Hubbard Hall where we will celebrate our colleagues, the conclusion of our SACSCOC site visit, and a national recognition that is still embargoed news until next Friday.

Nothing brings me greater joy than to celebrate the excellence coming from the Texas Woman’s faculty and staff. I look forward to seeing you there.

With a pioneering spirit,

Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D.
Chancellor and President

Page last updated 10:49 AM, April 7, 2023