Armstrong Leadership Awards

Armstrong’s annual leadership awards—held last spring—recognized and honored a number of faculty members for their academic excellence and service to the University Community:

Michael Toma, Ph.D., the Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Economics, received the Alumni Award for Distinguished Faculty Service to the Academic Discipline. Since joining the University 20 years ago, Toma has consistently applied his scholarly work to community issues. He also has mentored dozens of undergraduate student competitors and is the co-founder of the Academy of Economics and Finance Undergraduate Research Competition.

Jason Beck, Ph.D., associate professor of economics, received the Award for Distinguished Faculty Service to the Community. He was recognized for his directorship of the Coastal Georgia Center for Economic Education, a nonprofit dedicated to helping K-12 teachers teach economics and personal finance. He received no compensation for this work in which he managed to instruct 50-100 teachers, meet with them and provide them with classroom content and lesson plans each year for the past five years, all while teaching a full faculty load.

Wendy Wolfe, Ph.D., associate professor and psychology department internship coordinator, received the Award for Distinguished Faculty Service to the University. In addition to serving on the faculty senate and various senate committees, Wolfe has placed student interns in workplace settings across the Savannah area, thereby providing transformative opportunities that help students achieve their educational and professional goals.

Glenda Ogletree, Ph.D., associate professor of childhood and exceptional student education, received the H. Dean Propst Award for active involvement in the student life of the campus. This award winner is chosen by the Student Government Association. One student described Ogletree as “the kindest, most understanding, most loving teacher I have encountered since I entered the College of Education.”

Anne Katz, Ph.D., assistant professor of childhood and exceptional student education, received the Brockmeier Faculty Award for  lasting interest in the faculty and the students of Armstrong. This award honors a junior faculty member. Katz has authored numerous articles and book chapters, which focus on literacy instruction in urban schools. She serves as a liaison for a teens for literacy program in local schools and is a collaborator in undergraduate research grants.

Allison Belzer, Ph.D., associate professor of history, is the first recipient of the Judge Ron Ginsberg Faculty Excellence Award for outstanding teaching. Her department chair said, “She routinely accepts independent studies and directed readings, working one-on-one with students in addition to her regular teaching load. She flourishes in honors courses, constructing exciting, creative learning environments. She also directs the student research program and is tireless in promoting faculty/student engagement.”