Heavy Medal
Faculty Medallions Honor Decades of Excellence
The University of Houston is no stranger to gold medals thanks to the feats of its student-athletes and Olympian alumni.
On Oct. 15, the Office of the Provost recognized the academic accomplishments of professors who have certainly gone the distance for both UH and its students. New Faculty Medallions were presented to faculty members with 10 years or more of service to the University.
The golden medallions were distributed at the second annual Fall Faculty Celebration in TDECU Stadium’s Penick Club. The midsemester event was well attended, with guest appearances from the UH mascots, the Spirit of Houston Band and UH President Renu Khator.
“It goes without saying that your work is important for our students, our community, the University and beyond,” said UH Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Diane Z. Chase. “You are preparing tomorrow’s leaders, making discoveries that are changing the world, and contributing your time and energy to so many community service projects. Today’s event celebrates these and many more achievements. Your work is driving innovation at the University of Houston.”
Medallions were available at the entrance to the Penick Club. With a red ribbon affixed to these medals, faculty members were able to wear them at the event. Each medallion symbolizes 10 years of service, with gold bars — pinned to the ribbon — representing additional decades.
“These medallions signify the University’s deep (and heavy) gratitude—and they really are heavy,” said Elena Grigorenko, president of the new Faculty Council and Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor of Psychology. “Many colleagues put them on right away, along with their additional bars for longer service, and wore them proudly. I thought it was a very nice touch.”
Diane Z. Chase
Diane Z. Chase
Hispanic Studies' Maria Elena Soliño (right) and UH Libraries' Catherine Essinger
Hispanic Studies' Maria Elena Soliño (right) and UH Libraries' Catherine Essinger
Among those with quite a few gold bars are members of UH’s exclusive 50-plus club. Members include Louis Williams, associate professor of medicinal chemistry, and Stuart Long, a Moores Professor in the Cullen College of Engineering and associate dean for undergraduate research and the Honors College. Both have worked at UH for 52 years.
“These medallions mark an achievement for our faculty,” Williams said. “It’s really thanking them for a job well done.”
Williams is grateful for the opportunities provided by the University. He is also thankful for engaging with so many different students throughout the decades. Those are just some of the factors that have kept him loyal to UH.
“I think I’ve been here so long because each class I’ve taught tends to be very different,” he said. “I have been fortunate enough to see students grow during their time at the College of Pharmacy. As our college’s commencement grand marshal, I am able to recognize and appreciate their talents when I see them cross the stage to receive their diplomas.”
Fellow 50-plus club member Long said that longevity at universities can be rare. He agrees with Williams, however, that UH’s quality of students has been an excellent retention tool. He also feels his work isn’t quite done at UH.
“I personally have had a number of opportunities to move but have decided each time that my work here at UH has not been completed,” Long said. “I came here 52 years ago because I thought UH was on its way up, and I wanted to be a part of that growth. That has not changed. I still believe that we are improving as a university each year.”
Faculty Medallions complement other institutional platforms focused on recognizing faculty excellence. These include the Scholars Walk, the President’s Circle Awards and the annual Teaching Excellence Awards.
“I was pleased to see so many of our faculty wearing their medallions while enjoying the company of colleagues during the Fall Celebration,” Chase said. “So many red ribbons and gold medallions truly demonstrated our faculty’s talent and loyalty. I am sure students already recognize these traits in their professors and will take notice when they see these medallions worn at special events.”
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