The following awards are available at the College level. Learn more about each award’s criteria and list of previous award winners from the College of Education by expanding the purple title.

O.A. Grant Excellence in Teaching Award

Recognizes a College of Education faculty member who has had a profound effect on the lives and careers of Tarleton students. The award is named for Dr. O.A. Grant, who joined the Tarleton faculty in 1948 and served as head of the Department of Social Sciences from 1967 to 1976. He was the first Tarleton faculty member to receive the Piper Award for outstanding teaching. The winner of the O.A. Grant Award then competes for the Jack & Louise Arthur Excellence in Teaching Award which celebrates one Tarleton faculty member per year.

  • Ms. Lisa Mapes (2023)
  • Ms. Carrie Baughn (2022)
  • Dr. Deborah Banker (2021)
  • Dr. Sharon Tiffany Bowers (2020)
  • Dr. Rebekah Miller-Levy (2019)
  • Dr. Tom Faulkenberry (2018)
  • Dr. Robin Pate (2017)
  • Dr. Shanan Fowler (2016)
  • Dr. Kylah Clark-Goff (2015)
  • Dr. Chet Martin (2014)
  • Dr. Pam Winn (2013)
  • Dr. Laurie Sharp (2012)
  • Dr. Jim Gentry (2011)
  • Dr. Melissa Becker (2010)
  • Dr. Wendell Sadler (2009)
  • Dr. Deborah Jinkins (2008)
  • Dr. Pam Lindsey (2007)
  • Dr. Steve Simpson (2006)
  • Dr. Don Beach (2005)
  • Dr. Kim Rynearson (2004)
  • Dr. Linda Duncan (2003)
  • Dr. Joe Gillespie (2002)
  • Dr. Sara Tyler (1999)

Faculty Excellence in Scholarship Award

Established in 2003 to recognize a College of Education faculty member who has shown exemplary performance scholarly or creative activities. The winner of the College Award then competes for the University-wide award.

  • Dr. Tom Faulkenberry (2024)
  • Dr. Jonali Baruah (2023)
  • Dr. Colin Pennington (2022)
  • Dr. Andy Wolfe (2021)
  • Dr. Rebecca Putman (2020)
  • Dr. Kristina Higgins (2019)
  • Dr. Amber Bozer (2018)
  • Dr. Joe Priest (2017)
  • Dr. Tom Faulkenberry (2016)
  • Dr. Jim Gentry (2015)
  • Dr. Jennifer Blevins (2014)
  • Dr. Kayla Peak (2011)
  • Dr. Jim Gentry (2010)
  • Dr. Wendell Sadler (2006)

Faculty Excellence in Student Success Award

Established in 2012 in recognition of a College of Education faculty member’s extraordinary efforts to increase student success. The winner of the College Award then competes for the University-wide award.

  • Dr. Kyle Eichas (2023)
  • Dr. Man’Dee Mason (2022)
  • Dr. Matt Laurent (2021)
  • Ms. Stephanie Nelson (2020)
  • Dr. Anna Fox (2019)
  • Dr. Jamie Borchardt (2018)
  • Dr. Lisa Colvin (2017)
  • Dr. Anita Castaneda (2016)
  • Ms. Amy McKay (2015)

Outstanding Junior Faculty Award

Given in recognition of demonstrated excellence in teaching, scholarly or creative activities, and service by a faculty member beginning an academic career. The award, established in 2016, is given on the basis of cumulative achievement since joining the faculty at Tarleton. The winner of the College Award then competes for the University-wide award.

  • Dr. Ronald Rhone (2024)
  • Dr. Crystal Rose (2023)
  • Dr. Mike Luera (2022)
  • Dr. Ryan Glaman (2021)
  • Dr. Kelsey McEntyre (2020)
  • Dr. Andy Wolfe (2019)
  • Dr. Rebecca Putman (2018)
  • Dr. Amber Harris Bozer (2017)
  • Dr. Jennifer Lancaster (2015)

Engaged Faculty Award

Established in 2016 in recognition of exemplary engaged leadership and scholarship by a College of Education faculty member. The winner of the College Award then competes for the University-wide award.

  • Dr. Trina Geye (2023)
  • Dr. Stephanie Robertson (2022)
  • Dr. Kristina Higgins (2021)
  • Dr. Tom Tallach (2020)
  • Dr. Sharon Tiffany Bowers (2019)
  • Dr. Steve Simpson (2018)
  • Dr. Kyle Eichas (2017)
  • Ms. Misti Reisman (2016)

Barry B. Thompson Service Award

Created in 1997, the award is named for Dr. Barry B. Thompson, former president of Tarleton State University and Chancellor-Emeritus of the Texas A&M University System. The award is given annually to a College of Education faculty member in recognition of outstanding service to students, the campus community, and significant contributions to student-faculty interactions outside the classroom. The winner of the College Award then competes for the University-wide award.

  • Dr. Amber Harris Bozer (2024)
  • Ms. Stephanie Nelson (2022)
  • Dr. Jarrod Schenewark (2021)
  • Ms. Amy McKay (2020)
  • Dr. Julie Howell (2019)
  • Dr. Joe Priest (2018)
  • Ms. Penny Wright (2017)
  • Dr. Ann Albrecht (2016)
  • Dr. Mark Littleton (2015)
  • Dr. Wendell Sadler (2014)

Crystal Apple Society

Established in 2012, the College of Education award honors educators who have made a positive impact on the lives of students. List ONLY includes honorees that are Tarleton faculty.

  • Mr. Jeff Kahlden (2024)
  • Mrs. Paige Castleberry (2024)
  • Mrs. Penny Elliott (2024)
  • Mrs. Becky Christian (2024)
  • Dr. Don Beach (2024)
  • Mrs. Tina Sloan (2024)
  • Dr. Joseph H. Schuessler (2024)
  • Mr. Daniel Lamb (2024)
  • Mrs. Tabitha Bleeker (2024)
  • Miss Alicia Anderson (2024)
  • Dr. Russ Higham (2023)
  • Dr. Beck Munsey (2023)
  • Dr. Beth Riggs (2023)
  • Dr. Laura Estes (2022)
  • Dr. Karen R. Murray (2022)
  • Dr. Troy Robertson (2022)
  • Dr. Randall Bowden (2021)
  • Dr. Lesley Leach (2021)
  • Ms. Amy McKay (2021)
  • Dr. Cynthia McPherson (2021)
  • Dr. Jordan Barkley (2020)
  • Ms. Lillian Hinson (2020)
  • Dr. Deborah Liles (2020)
  • Dr.Rebekah Miller-Levy (2020)
  • Dr. Randy Ford (2019)
  • Dr. Jim Gentry (2019)
  • Dr. Robin Pate (2019)
  • Dr. Christopher Sloan (2018)
  • Dr. Sherian Smith (2018)
  • Ms. Shanan Dunn Fowler (2017)
  • Dr. Laurie Hawke (2017)
  • Dr. Michael Hawke (2017)
  • Ms. Penny Wright (2017)
  • Dr. Ann Albrecht (2016)
  • Dr. Don Beach (2016)
  • Dr. Ann Calahan (2016)
  • Dr. Kylah Clark-Goff (2016)
  • Dr. Bob Newby (2016)
  • Dr. Diane Sopko (2016)
  • Dr. Jill Burk (2015)
  • Dr. Steve Crews (2014)
  • Dr. Linda Duncan (2014)
  • Dr. Dale Johnson (2014)
  • Dr. Bill Larmer (2014)
  • Dr. Joe Gillespie (2013)
  • Dr. Dennis McCabe (2013)
  • Jennifer McGregor (2012)