Newsbriefs
Lyon selected to post of senior vice provost
Larry Lyon, dean of the Graduate School and professor of sociology, has been named senior vice provost. His responsibilities include helping the University prepare for its upcoming accreditation review by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Lyon, a 1971 Baylor graduate, directed the University's 1994-96 self-study. A faculty member for almost 30 years, he received the Outstanding Tenured Professor Award in 1989 and has served as dean of the Graduate School since 1998.
Latin American Studies program director named
Lizbeth Souza-Fuertes, associate professor of Spanish, is the new director of the Latin American Studies program in the Center for International Education. Souza-Fuertes earned her master's degree and doctorate from the University of Georgia. Fluent in three languages, she teaches Portuguese and Spanish and in Baylor's Interdisciplinary Core program. She has served on the Baylor faculty for seven years.
Music professor honored as TMTA Teacher of Year
Jane Abbott-Kirk, associate professor of piano, was named Collegiate Teacher of the Year for 2004 by the Texas Music Teachers Association at its state convention June 11-13. Abbott-Kirk is in demand as a soloist, collaborator, adjudicator and clinician. She joined the Baylor music department in 1973 and has served on the faculty of the Baylor in Vienna study-abroad program. She received Baylor's Outstanding Tenured Teacher Award in 1989. She is a recording artist for the Musical Heritage Society and has received critical acclaim in Audio and Stereo Review.
Medhurst given prize for public address work
Martin Medhurst, Distinguished Professor of Rhetoric and Communication, was awarded the 2004 Paul Boase Prize for Scholarship by Ohio University's School of Communication. He will receive an honorarium and will deliver the annual Boase Lecture at Ohio University this fall. Medhurst was selected for his work in reinvigorating the study of public address.
Two profs commended by Christianity Today
Two Baylor professors were given awards of merit by Christianity Today magazine in its June issue: David Garland, associate dean and professor of Christian scriptures at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, for I Corinthians (Baker Book House) and Rodney Stark, University Professor of the Social Sciences, for For the Glory of God: How Monotheism Led to Reformations, Science, Witch-Hunts, and the End of Slavery (Princeton University Press). The magazine's judges choose 20 recently published books to commend from a field of 349 nominated by 45 publishers.
'92 graduate named Young Lawyer of Year
Mexia-born attorney JoAl Cannon-Sheridan, a 1992 graduate of Baylor Law School, was honored as the 2004 Baylor University Young Lawyer of the Year. She received the award from Law Dean Brad Toben at the annual reception of the Baylor Law Alumni Association, held in San Antonio during the State Bar of Texas Convention.
Recipients of the award are selected by the Baylor Law Alumni Association. Created in 1995, the Young Lawyer award recognizes an outstanding graduate age 40 or younger who has brought honor and distinction to Baylor Law School and to the legal profession. Cannon-Sheridan is a partner in the Jacksonville, Texas, general practice law firm of Moak & Sheridan, L.L.P.