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2025 Faculty Honors Convocation Celebrates Excellence in Teaching, Research, and Service

A celebratory recap of UNO鈥檚 2025 Faculty Honors Convocation, recognizing excellence in research, teaching, mentorship, and service across all disciplines.

Close-up of a bronze bull statue with fall-colored trees in the background at dusk.

The 2025 Faculty Honors Convocation shined a spotlight on the faculty members who define what it means to be a Maverick: innovative, engaged, and committed to student success. Held on Thursday, Sept. 25, the annual Faculty Honors Convocation recognized standout faculty from across UNO’s six colleges and beyond for their excellence in teaching, research, mentorship, and community engagement.

Faculty are the driving force behind UNO’s mission to educate all learners, create pragmatic research that serves the public good, and elevate the communities we serve. This event isn’t just about recognition; it’s about showing how UNO faculty lead innovation in education, strengthen social mobility, and redefine what it means to be a metropolitan university.


Zoom In: 2025 Award Highlights

🏅 University-Wide Faculty Honors

  • Distinguished Research or Creative Activity Award: Tara Richards, Ph.D., Professor, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

  • Excellence in Teaching Award: Erin Bass, Ph.D., Professor, Management

  • Outstanding Faculty Service Learning Award: Becky Brusky, MS, Lecturer, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

  • Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award: Martina Saltamacchia, Ph.D., Associate Professor, History

  • Faculty Excellence in Engagement Award: Jamie Wagner, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Economics

  • Excellence in Part-time Teaching Award: Philip Froese, Instructor, English

  • Outstanding Honors Faculty Award: Todd Richardson, Ph.D., Professor, Goodrich Scholarship Program


🎓 Alumni Outstanding Teaching Awards

Presented by the UNO Alumni Association, these peer-nominated awards honor nine faculty members annually for their dedication to exceptional teaching and student success. Established in 1997, the awards have recognized over 200 faculty members to date.


🔬 ORCA College-Level Awards

Now in their second year, these honors recognize standout contributions to research and creative activity at the college level, reinforcing UNO’s commitment to student-involved, impactful discovery.


🏛️ Named Chairs and Professorships

The ceremony also celebrated faculty selected for named and endowed positions — prestigious honors that reflect academic excellence and significant contributions to their fields.


What’s Next

Watch for feature stories on individual honorees in the coming days in the Maverick Daily, or get a sneak peek at their profiles.