Four Faculty Members Won Prestigious Awards at the Annual University Conference; Three Faculty Members Were Recognized During the College Meeting
During the Annual University Conference on August 24 seven faculty members from the College of Fine Arts and Communications won awards for their dedicated service at BYU. This year, the awards were presented by Amy Jensen.
From the College of Fine Arts and Communications, Julia Ashworth, Stephen Beus, Kristen Bromley, Linda Reynolds, Tara Carpenter Estrada, Sam Nielson and Scott Church were each recognized.
University Awards
Julia Ashworth | Department of Theatre and Media Arts | Joseph E. White Teaching and Learning Fellowship
“The Joseph E. White Teaching and Learning Fellowship recognizes faculty achievement and supports continued efforts to improve teaching and learning.”
Ashworth is a nationally recognized arts advocate. She is currently the coordinator of BYU’s Theatre Education program and the artistic director for the award-winning Young Company. Ashworth has been working in arts education for nearly 20 years and primarily focuses on theatre for young audiences.
Stephen Beus | School of Music | BYU Class of 1949 Young Faculty Award
“The BYU Class of 1949 Young Faculty Award acknowledges the outstanding promise and contributions of junior faculty.”
Beus has been called one of America’s foremost pianists. He has been a featured soloist across the country and around the world. He has two solos CDs and a third CD in progress, as well as a recital recording. He also has eleven international solo performances and six international masterclasses.
Kristen Bromley | School of Music | Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award
“The Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award recognizes the contributions of part-time faculty who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and acknowledges the important role they play in the life of the university.”
Bromley, a critically acclaimed recording artist, has been adjunct faculty in the School of Music since 2012. Bromely is known for her student-focused style of teaching and mentoring. Her coursework is focused on guitar and jazz and she has led the BYU Jazz Legacy Band around the world.
Linda Reynolds | Department of Design | Abraham O. Smoot Citizenship Award
“The prestigious Abraham O. Smoot Citizenship Award is presented to faculty who have demonstrated sustained service and personal sacrifice to the BYU community.”
Reynolds is currently the area head in Graphic Design, the chair of the department Diversity Committee, as well as a member of the Department Rank & Status Committee. Her work has been recognized in several national and international design publications.
College Awards
Tara Carpenter Estrada | Department of Art | Excellence in Teaching Award
“This award is a sign of one's unstinting efforts to enrich and enliven the experience of students in their education at BYU.”
Estrada is the creator and director of the program Jumpst(ART), which offers after school art classes, taught by BYU students, to local K–12 students. This program gives art education students at BYU firsthand experience interacting with and teaching children.
Sam Nielson | Department of Design | Excellence in Citizenship Award
“This award is a sign of one's service and personal sacrifice to the college and university.”
When Nielson first returned to BYU after graduating, he was a part time teacher in the animation program and then became an assistant professor for the visual arts department. Nielson has been involved in the production of products such as Pajama Gladiator, which won numerous awards in 2009.
Scott Church | School of Communications | Excellence in Scholarship/Creative Works Award
“This award is a sign of one's diligent and industrious efforts in scholarship and/or creative work.”
Church has taught courses in popular culture, business communication, public speaking, public discourse, music and media studies. Most recently, Church’s research has been published in The Information Society, The Journal of Information Technology & Politics, The Routledge Companion to Remix Studies and the upcoming book Ancient Rhetorics + Digital Networks.