College of Arts & Letters Faculty Recognized with 2023 All-University Awards

Four College of Arts & Letters faculty were recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the university and their fields of research during the 2023 MSU Awards Convocation on May 8 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.

A photo composite of four people: One woman with dark hard, two men with glasses, and one bald man.
Top row, left to right: Bill Hart-Davidson and Kirk Domer. Bottom row, left to right: Divya Victor and Steven Gagnon.

The following are the College of Arts & Letters faculty who received 2023 All-University Awards as well as an explanation of each award received:

William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award

The William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award honors faculty for their comprehensive and sustained record of scholarly excellence in research and/or creative activities, instruction, and outreach. The award is supported by the Office of University Advancement at MSU.

  • Bill Hart-Davidson, Professor in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures and Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Education for the College of Arts & Letters

Teacher-Scholar Award

Teacher-Scholar Awards are presented to faculty who have earned the respect of their students and colleagues for their devotion to and skill in teaching, and whose instruction is linked to and informed by their research and creative activities. This award is supported by the Office of University Development.

  • Divya Victor, Associate Professor in the Department of English

Simmons Chivulka Award

The Simmons Chivulka Award is given for exemplary work in academic leadership at the rank of department chair, school director, assistant dean, or associate dean. An individual is selected based on consistent and demonstrated excellence in academic leadership, including the dimensions of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The Simmons Chivulka Award is generously sponsored by a gift from Dr. Elizabeth H. Simmons, Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UC San Diego, former MSU Associate Provost for Faculty and Academic Staff Development, and former Dean of Lyman Briggs College, and Dr. R. Sekhar Chivukula, Distinguished Professor of Physics at UC San Diego, former MSU Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education, and former Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

  • Kirk Domer, Professor in the Department of Theatre

Excellence-in-Teaching Citation

Excellence-in-Teaching Citations are awarded to graduate teaching assistants who have distinguished themselves by the care they have given and the skill they have shown in meeting their classroom responsibilities. The awards are supported by the Office of University Development.

  • Steven Gagnon, Teaching Assistant in the Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures

At the MSU Awards Convocation, 10 distinguished awards were presented to 33 faculty and staff recipients at MSU. See the MSU Today article, “Faculty and staff honored, celebrated at MSU Awards Convocation,” for a complete list of award winners.