College of Arts and Sciences celebrates 2024 faculty awards

(September 11, 2024) - While the new academic year has just begun, the College of Arts and Sciences already has plenty to celebrate, as several members of faculty have recently received a plethora of university awards. 

The College kicked off the Fall 2024 semester by recognizing the achievements of its professors in scholarship, service, teaching, and diversity leadership, with Interim Dean Dr. Dwayne Hooks announcing the winners of various university and college awards.

The Gene Hatfield Annual Service Awards are funded by the estate of Dr. Gene Hatfield, who taught history and government at Clayton State University for 32 years until his retirement in 2008.

Each year, faculty committees select the award-winners—other full-time faculty members, in recognition of their outstanding contributions in advancing the College’s mission of service through teaching, research, and creative endeavors.

Dr. Kathryn Pratt Russell chaired this year’s committee.

The Gene Hatfield Scholar of the Year was presented to Dr. Matt Carter, assistant professor of English.

In 2023, Carter produced an edited essay collection (Routledge Press), two peer-reviewed book chapters, a peer-reviewed article, and had four projects under contract or under review, including two book chapters, a second edited collection, and an introduction for a text.

Two of his book reviews were also accepted and published.

The Gene Hatfield Service of the Year was presented to Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. John Meyers, who displayed exemplary service to the institution, his discipline, the community, and the College’s students.

The Gene Hatfield Teacher of the Year was presented to Prof. Shontelle Thrash.

Thrash serves as both director of the Stage and Screen Program as well as a professor of Theatre and Communication.

With more than 25 years of national and international experience, she is an advocate for mental health and has used her knowledge of drama therapy and other therapeutic methods to improve the lives of others.

Thrash is also the producer/creator of the Artists Showcase of Atlanta where she enhances the development of artists creatively and professionally.

Dr. Shannon Cochran, a CAS professor of English and Interdisciplinary Studies, was the recipient of the Mari Ann Banks Award for Equity and Inclusion.

The award was established in 2018 as a competitive award acknowledging the work of those in the College of Arts and Sciences who are leaders in the praxis of diversity, inclusion, and equity, and encourages leadership when addressing inclusivity in faculty teaching, scholarship, and service.

Cochran has created, developed, and taught courses in the Departments of English and Interdisciplinary Studies programs that speak to equity and inclusion, with many courses exploring and encouraging activism and advocacy for marginalized groups.

She has additionally coordinated campus-wide events during Black History and Women’s History months.

And finally, the 2024 Alice J. Smith Award was awarded to Associate Professor of English Dr. Matthew Sansbury, whose passion for teaching and love of learning best reflected that of Smith’s legacy.

The Smith Awards were established in 1995 by Joseph Smith as a memorial to his wife, Alice, and is annually given to only one faculty member from Clayton State University.

Dr. Celeste Walley-Jean, the university’s interim provost, is thrilled by the dedication and efforts of her award-winning peers and believes they best demonstrate the College of Arts and Sciences’ commitment to a premier education and student engagement.

“I appreciate the work that our amazing faculty do each day to support our students' educational goals and am glad to see that hard work publicly recognized by their peers and the university,” Walley-Jean said. “Their dedication to scholarship, teaching, and inclusion supports our students' success in numerous ways. I am proud to work with the faculty at The Clayton State University each and every day.”