UTS Faculty Members Honored

    Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 4:22 AM

    By News Staff

    Three University of Tennessee Southern faculty members were recognized earlier this month during the university’s annual State of Academic Affairs and Student Experiences Address. Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Prentice Chandler, Ph.D., praised the honorees for exemplifying UT Southern’s commitment to excellence, impact and student success.

    Three bi-annual awards were presented during the address, and those honored include...

    Rising Faculty Award: Paul Cockson, assistant professor of biology....
    This award recognizes a full-time faculty member, whether tenure-track or non-tenure-track, in the first five years of building a strong record of teaching, scholarship, or creative activity and service, who demonstrates exceptional promise and momentum. 

    External Impact Award: Stanton Belford, associate professor of biology

    This award recognizes a full-time faculty member whose work advances UT Southern’s external presence through community partnership, public-facing impact and regional or professional engagement. 

    Fred E. Ford Exemplary Educator Award: Claire Paul, assistant professor and special education program coordinator

    This award recognizes a UT Southern full-time faculty member whose teaching demonstrates sustained excellence, student engagement and meaningful contribution to student learning and success during the academic year. 

    The recognition of Cockson, Belford and Paul highlights the contributions made by UT Southern faculty through teaching, scholarship, service and engagement. 

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