The College’s talented faculty and staff are frequently recognized for excellence, at Elon and beyond. Here are some of their accomplishments in the 2023-24 academic year.

Joel Karty

Joel Karty Named St. Andrews Global Fellow

Sydney F. & Kathleen E. Jackson Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry Joel Karty was selected as a Global Fellow (Education) by the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and will collaborate with STEM faculty there to develop and implement chemistry pedagogy.

As a Global Fellow, Karty will work closely with faculty at St. Andrews, to examine educational trends among American and European undergraduates, and to collaborate in the development of teaching methods and strategies that deepen scientific learning. Karty was one of three 2024-25 Global Fellows (Education), and among a select few professors from American institutions to receive the education fellowship.

Sarah Bunnell

Sarah Bunnell Named Russell Edgerton Innovation Fellow

Associate Professor of Psychology Sarah Bunnell was named a Russell Edgerton Innovation Fellow. This three-year fellowship, awarded by the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Higher Education, recognizes leaders who are advancing transformative efforts in postsecondary education. As a Russell Edgerton Innovation Fellow, she will benefit from mentorship, collaborative cohort engagement and annual participation in the Gardner Institute Symposium on Transforming the Postsecondary Experience.

Elon College Awards

Excellence in Teaching

Headshot of Pratheep Paranthaman.

Pratheep Paranthaman, Associate Professor of Computer Science

Excellence in Mentoring

Headshot of Emily Evans.

Emily Evans, Professor of Physics

Headshot of Virginia Novine-Whittaker.

Virginia Novine-Whittaker, Lecturer in Music

Excellence in Scholarship

Headshot of Baris Kesgin.

Baris Kesgin, Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy

Excellence in Service-Leadership

Headshot of Richard Blackmon.

Richard Blackmon, Associate Professor of Engineering

Headshot of Sandra Reid.

Sandra Reid, Senior Lecturer in Human Service Studies

Staff Excellence Award

Headshot of Melissa McBane.

Melissa McBane, Operations and Accounts Specialist

University Award Winners

Daniels-Danieley Excellence in Teaching Award

Headshot of Kathy Matera.

Kathy Matera, Professor of Chemistry

Distinguished Scholar Award

Headshot of Brant Touchette.

Brant Touchette, Professor of Biology

Steven and Patricia House Excellence in Mentoring Award

Headshot of Cynthia Fair.

Cynthia Fair, Professor of Public Health Studies and Human Service Studies and the Watts/Thompson Professor

Elon College Awards

Excellence in Teaching

Headshot of Jennifer Eidum.

Jennifer Eidum, Associate Professor of English

Headshot of Anthony Rizzuto.

Anthony Rizzuto, Associate Professor of Chemistry

Headshot of Sabrina Thurman.

Sabrina Thurman, Associate Professor of Psychology

Excellence in Service-Leadership

Headshot of Jessica Carew.

Jessica Carew, Associate Professor of Political Science and Policy Studies

Headshot of Matt Wittstein.

Matt Wittstein, Associate Professor of Exercise Science

Excellence in Mentoring

Headshot of Vanessa Drew-Branch.

Vanessa Drew-Branch, Associate Professor of Human Service Studies

Headshot of David McGraw.

David McGraw, Associate Professor of Arts Administration

Excellence in Scholarship

Headshot of Ariela Marcus-Sells.

Ariela Marcus-Sells, Associate Professor of Religious Studies

Staff Excellence Award

Headshot of Rick Earl.

Rick Earl, Production Manager for Cultural and Special Programs

University Award Winners

Periclean Award for Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility

Headshot of Thomas Arcaro.

Thomas Arcaro, Professor of Sociology

Distinguished Emerging Scholar in Religious Studies

Headshot of Sheila Otieno.

Sheila Otieno, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies

Japheth E. Rawls Professorship for Undergraduate Research in Science

Headshot of Chris Richardson.

Chris Richardson, Associate Professor of Astrophysics

Sidney F. and Kathleen Jackson Professorship

Headshot of Joel Karty.

Joel Karty, Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry

The Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning Scholar, 2024-2026

Headshot of Amanda Chunco.

Amanda Chunco, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies