Published May 14, 2025
MONROE, LA – The University of Louisiana Monroe celebrated the successes of its faculty and staff
at the annual Foundation Awards for Excellence on Friday, May 2, at Bayou Pointe Event
Center. The University bestowed emeriti status to two professors, honored eight faculty
and staff with Awards of Excellence and promoted 19 faculty to full professor, associate
professor, or tenure.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Mark Arant first bestowed professor
emeritus status to Dr. Jose Cordova, Associate Professor of Computer Science, and
Dr. Paul Sylvester, Professor of Pharmacy and Associate Dean for Research in the College
of Pharmacy.
“Professor Emeritus is a special distinction reserved for faculty who have made an
outstanding professional contribution and have rendered significant academic service
to the university,” said Arant. “This is probably one of the highest honors that any
academic can achieve,” he added.
Arant then introduced faculty promoted to professor (Dr. Anne Case Hanks, Dr. Ann
Rodriguez, Dr. Will Rogers, Dr. Jun Yu), clinical associate professor (Dr. Ashley
Barbo, Dr. Hanna Rotundo, Dr. Hilary Tice), and associate professor (Dr. Lyndsey Bamburg,
Dr. Vonda Boone, Dr. Lee Ann Box, Dr. Donna Glaze, Dr. Leah Hawsey, Dr. Jessica Louque,
Dr. Amy Miller, Dr. Heather Pilcher, Dr. Paula Robinson-Jones, Dr. Eric Siereveld,
Dr. Marie Thomas, Dr. Amy Weems.) Professors and Associate Professors awarded tenure
included Rodriguez, Yu, Bamburg, Boone, Box, Hawsey, Miller, Robinson-Jones, Siereveld,
and Weems.
Dr. Arant then announced the eight winners of the 2025 Foundation Awards for Excellence.
Each winner was nominated by their colleagues. Upon receiving their awards, winners posed for photos with Acting ULM President Dr. Nick Bruno.
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| Dr. Nick Bruno and Dr. Daniel Hummel |
The Ken Clow Award for Excellence in Research went to Dr. Daniel Hummel, Assistant
Professor of Political Science. The award is named after the late marketing professor
who published multiple books and more than 200 journal articles and proceedings. Dr.
Hummel has been teaching at universities since 2013 and at ULM since 2021. In his
time at ULM, Dr. Hummel has published a number of articles and book chapters, focusing
primarily on state public policy, public administration, and public finance.
"Dr. Hummel’s exceptional research contributions, exemplary mentorship, and collaborative
spirit make him the ideal candidate for this award,” said Dr. Leigh Hersey, Associate
Professor of Political Science. “I am confident that his research will continue to
make significant and lasting contributions to the field of public administration,”
she added.
This year, there were two winners of the Florencetta Gibson Award for Excellence in
Service. Named after the professor emerita of nursing, the award goes to a faculty
member who is committed to service to the University in ways that positively impact
the institution and community as a whole.
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| Dr. Bruno, Dr. Thameling, and Dr. Gibson |
The first winner was Dr. Carl Thameling, Professor of Communication. Dr. Thameling
began at ULM in 1998 and has served as a member of numerous college and program-level
committees and as a mentor for the Emerging Scholars Program. He has worked in a volunteer
capacity with both the National Communication Association and the Louisiana Communication
Association. Dr. Thameling regularly participates at the ULM Catholic Campus Ministry
(CCM) in many ways. Dr. Thameling is retiring at the end of the Spring 2025 semester
after 27 years at ULM.
"Dr. Thameling’s impact at ULM is profound and multifaceted, spanning research, teaching,
and leadership. His unwavering commitment to academic excellence, student mentorship,
and institutional development makes him truly deserving of this award. His legacy
at ULM will continue to inspire future generations of students and faculty alike,”
said Dr. Sovichan Scaria, Assistant Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy.
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| Dr. Bruno, Dr. Jones, and Dr. Gibson |
The second winner of the Florencetta Gibson Award for Excellence in Service was Dr.
Ashanti Jones, Associate Program Director and Director of Clinical Education for the
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. Dr. Jones has been at ULM since 2020 and served
as the chair of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education Committee
from 2021 to 2023, helping the program to become fully accredited in 2025. She also
serves on the Admissions Committee, Curriculum Committee, Faculty Senate, and the
Opportunity Fund Committee. She will also serve on the National Board Appointed Committee
of the American Physical Therapy Association from 2025 to 2027.
“Ashanti possesses a servant heart and demonstrates an admirable work ethic. She is
consistently collegial and collaborative, fostering an environment of respect and
teamwork. These traits not only make her an exceptional leader, but also an inspiring
mentor to both faculty and students alike,” said Dr. Wendy Bailes, Dean of the ULM
College of Health Sciences.
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| Dr. Nick Bruno and Dr. Tammy Johnston |
The recipient of the Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching was Dr. Tammy Johnston,
Professor of Economics. Johnston has been a faculty member at ULM since 1997. She
has over 60 refereed journal publications and has presented at more than 70 conferences,
including international conferences. She was nominated for Sun Belt Conference Faculty
of the Year in 2024 by the ULM Athletic Foundation and received the Ken Clow Award
for Excellence in Research in 2023 from the ULM Foundation.
“Dr. Johnston has distinguished herself by her excellent skills in teaching Economics
courses to a diverse array of students of different majors. She is a very supportive
mentor to her Business Administration advisees, and she always makes sure that she
is available to her students to help in any capacity needed. She is definitely a valuable
faculty member who deserves to be recognized,” said Dr. Arturo Rodriguez, Director
of the William D. Hoover School of Accounting, Financial, and Information Services.
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| Dr. Nick Bruno and Dr. Jameshia Below |
The Foundation Award for Excellence in Creative and Innovative Works was awarded to
Dr. Jameshia Below, an Assistant Professor in the School of Clinical Sciences in the
College of Pharmacy. Dr. Below values the use of innovative teaching methods in her
classroom, including employing the use of AI to craft realistic case activities, the
use of an “escape room” to help students develop teamwork and solve complex diagnostic
problems, the building of computer algorithms, and the use of a game show model. Dr.
Below also received the Educational Innovation of the Year Faculty Award from the
College of Pharmacy in January 2025.
“Dr. Below is a forward-thinking educator, researcher, and leader whose dedication
to advancing pharmacy education has profoundly impacted both students and colleagues.
Her ability to integrate emerging technologies, innovative teaching methods, and student-centered
learning strategies has redefined classroom engagement, ensuring that pharmacy graduates
are well prepared for the evolving healthcare landscape,” said Dr. Glenn Anderson,
Dean of the ULM College of Pharmacy.
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| Dr. Nick Bruno and Troy Drake |
The Madelaine Lanham Award for Service by Classified Staff was awarded to Troy Drake,
Maintenance Foreman for the ULM Physical Plant. Drake has worked at ULM since 2003.
Drake oversees the coordination of resources for a variety of events on campus.
“Troy and his team have always cooperated with some of the most outlandish requests,
all the while with a smile and the reassurance that they would find a way to make
it happen. He has a love for this university and the people who learn here or work
here that is admirable,” said Lisa Miller, Vice President for Enrollment Management
and University Relations.
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| Dr. Nick Bruno and Jacqueline Jones |
The Alma Sewell Award for Service by Unclassified Staff went to Jacqueline Jones,
Pre-Awards Grant Manager in the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research. Named after
the staff member who dedicated more than four decades of service to ULM, the award
goes to an employee who is an inspiration for their exemplary service, on- or off-campus.
Ms. Jones has worked at ULM since 2005, and holds four degrees from the university,
including two master's degrees. Ms. Jones has volunteered in the community as a Court
Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care, and with the United
Way READ.LEARN.SUCCEED program. She has also written and published two children’s
books and is working on a third.
“I truly admire Ms. Jones because of her extreme persistence to achieve. She has never
wavered in her determination for success and even today continues to learn and share
her knowledge with others,” said LaWanna Gilbert-Bell, Director of the ULM Office
of Sponsored Programs and Research.
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| Dr. Nick Bruno and Kristal Anzalone |
The Judy Smith Award for Warhawk Spirit, named after the late assistant director of
the Office of Financial Aid who demonstrated selfless dedication to student fulfillment,
was awarded to Kristal Anzalone, Executive Director of Recruitment. Ms. Anzalone began
her career at ULM in 2003 and served in a variety of positions before leaving in 2013.
She returned to ULM in 2018 as Assistant Director of Student Communications and became
Executive Director of Recruitment in January 2025.
"For more than seventeen years, Kristal has been a champion for student success, always
putting their needs first and ensuring they feel supported at every step of their
journey. From campus traditions to everyday moments of support, she embodies what
it means to be a Warhawk, not just in spirit, but in action,” said Sami Owens, Assistant
Vice President of Admissions, Scholarships, and Operations.
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