School of Arts and Humanities Honors Top Teachers, Alumni, Staff

UT Dallas’ School of Arts and Humanities recently recognized five Comets for their dedication and service to the University.

Senior lecturer Dr. Zafar Anjum, who teaches Arabic and an introductory course on Islamic culture, earned the Victor Worsfold Outstanding Teaching Award.

“I am so humbled and honored to receive the prestigious Worsfold Award for teaching at UTD,” he said. “My actual award is the smiles on the faces of my students after they learn a new skill in reading, writing, comprehending or speaking of Arabic words.”

Anjum said that he not only motivates his students to learn the required material but to delve into the culture that is an integral part of the language.

“I always try to answer their questions no matter how complicated they are,” he said. “Teaching is not only my profession, but it is my passion too. In fact, my driving force is the intelligence of my beloved students at UTD who leave the classroom with a memorable, positive learning experience.”

His honor was part of the school’s annual awards ceremony for faculty, staff and alumni. The honors including teaching awards named for Professor Emeritus Victor Worsfold, who taught ethics and philosophy at UT Dallas from 1975 to 2001.

“The faculty and staff members whom we have honored share a students-first attitude,” said Dr. Dennis M. Kratz, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities and the Ignacy and Celina Rockover Professor of Humanities. “They also share the traits of intelligence, perseverance and gracious collegiality. They help create a positive, caring environment that makes every day better for those with whom they work.”

The Worsfold Teaching Assistant Award went to Kevin Wells, a PhD candidate in literary studies.

“The faculty and staff members whom we have honored share a students-first attitude. They also share the traits of intelligence, perseverance and gracious collegiality.”

Dr. Dennis M. Kratz, dean
of the School of Arts and Humanities and the Ignacy and Celina Rockover Professor of Humanities

“The outstanding undergraduates that our university attracts continually motivate me to keep finding my best in the classroom,” Wells said. “The opportunity to work with such compelling minds is another honor for which I am so grateful.”

Adrienne Rosenberg MA’92 received the Distinguished Alumni Award.

As a visual artist, Rosenberg has exhibited in more than 100 juried, invitational and gallery shows throughout the United States, and she has art displayed at UT Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Rosenberg said her time at UT Dallas provided a structure and a sense of direction. It was during one of her studio classes in the Visual Arts Building that she met a group of women artists who introduced her to the Dallas Women’s Caucus for Art, which sponsored guest speakers, and provided opportunities to participate in shows throughout Texas and neighboring states.

“I was also very fortunate to meet a newly arrived faculty member, Marilyn Waligore, who would become my very supportive adviser and serve as a much-appreciated editor of my thesis,” Rosenberg said. “It makes me very proud to be a graduate of this outstanding, thriving, academic institution, and I feel so honored to have been selected by Dean Dennis Kratz to be presented with the 2016 Arts and Humanities Alumni Award.”

Pierrette Lacour and Megan Gray Hering received Jo Ellen Roach Outstanding Staff Member Awards.

Hering is the director of advising and the assistant director of the humanities. She joined the staff in the fall of 2010.

“I have experienced the joy of working with an incredible team of people serving the A&H community,” she said. “It has been a place to grow professionally and make a difference.”

Lacour, who joined UT Dallas in 2001, works alongside Dr. Richard Brettell as an interpreter, coordinator and organizer for the Edith O’Donnell Institute of Art History.

“It was an honor — and a big surprise — to receive the Ellen Roach Award,” Lacour said. “I always admired Jo Ellen, and she was so helpful to me when I arrived at UTD. She taught me so much and most importantly how to navigate the university procurement system. I am so proud and grateful to be a member of the UTD community and look forward to many more years surrounded by wonderful people.”

Annual A&H Awards

Victor Worsfold Outstanding Teaching Award