Elon faculty and staff recognized for excellence at 2025 awards luncheon

Elon University recognized the excellence of faculty and staff in their service to the university and the community at its annual awards luncheon on Tuesday, May 13.

Elon faculty and staff members gathered in Alumni Gym for the event, which also included recognition of employees for years-of-service milestones and special recognitions of faculty and staff members who are retiring this academic year.

“I hope you are taking a moment to reflect on the journey we have shared, celebrating the milestones that have shaped this year and the light that continues to guide us forward,” said President Connie Ledoux Book in her opening remarks. “Our motto, Numen Lumen—Knowledge and Light, comes to life through your work and your dedication to that shared mission.”

The celebration came as Elon prepares to conclude the academic year with final exams for undergraduate students beginning Wednesday, May 14, and Elon’s 135th Commencement on Friday, May 23.

Honored with awards from the university this year were Professor of Chemistry Kathy Matera, Professor of Biology Brant W. Touchette, Professor of Public Health Studies, Human Service Studies and Watts/Thompson Professor Cynthia Fair and Professor of Communication Design Phillip Motley.

Daniels-Danieley Excellence in Teaching Award

Professor of Chemistry Kathy Matera

Described as “one of the most impactful, one of the most prolific, one of the most talented, and indeed, one of the very best teachers at Elon,” Kathy Matera, professor of chemistry, is the 53rd recipient of the Daniels-Danieley Excellence in Teaching Award. The Daniels-Danieley Excellence in Teaching Award was established by President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley ’46 and his wife, Verona Daniels Danieley, in honor of their parents.

Joel Karty, professor of chemistry and chair of the Department of Chemistry, notes that Matera was the “mastermind” behind developing a biochemistry major at Elon in 2009, which is on track to graduate 20-25 biochemistry majors every year. Karty says Matera is a “star” both inside and outside the classroom as she teaches general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry and senior seminar. Her students’ organic chemistry standardized final exam scores score above the 80th percentile, with many scoring in the upper-90th percentile.

“During my classroom visits, I’ve seen first-hand how masterful she is at the ways she explains difficult concepts, and how she engages students regularly and meaningfully,” says Karty. “She develops strong rapport with her students, cultivating an atmosphere where they are genuinely comfortable asking questions, allowing themselves to be vulnerable. Kathy’s students trust her, and they work their tails off for her.”

Matera “truly cares about her students” and has mentored 11 Honors Fellows and three winners of the Lumen Prize and her students often go on to prestigious graduate and medical schools. Dr. Amanda Coniglio was one of the Lumen Scholars mentored by Matera and is now an advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist at Rochester Regional Health in New York.

“Dr. Matera has continuously gone above and beyond what has been required of her as a professor and mentor,” said Dr. Coniglio. “I believe Dr. Matera’s approachability, engagement, and unwavering support for her mentees embodies the definition of true mentorship. These qualities also outline what makes the student-professor relationship at Elon so much different than other universities.”

Kathy Matera has been one of the most impactful, one of the most prolific, one of the most talented, and indeed, one of the very best teachers at Elon.

Joel Karty, chair of the Elon chemistry department

President Book presented the award to Matera on Tuesday, noting her “life-changing” mentorship.

“The joy of discovery, the trust between faculty, staff and students and the pursuit of excellence. These are what define the Elon community and this year’s honoree models all three,” said Book. “And perhaps the highest praise comes from a student who said simply, ‘Dr. Matera actually makes organic chemistry fun.’”

Matera’s impact on students was evident during Tuesday’s reception as a group of students cheered for her from the stands of Alumni Gym as she approached the podium to accept the award.

“We will talk to you guys later,” Matera joked as she pointed to her students in the stands. “Thank you so much. This is such an incredible honor. I love what I do and this is just icing on the cake.”

Matera earned her doctorate in chemistry from the University of California at Davis before completing postdoctoral work at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and joined Elon’s faculty in 2007. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from Pitzer College. Matera is also the recipient of the Dr. Gerald L. Francis Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year award (2011), the Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Teaching Award (2013) and the J.E. Rawls Professorship for Undergraduate Research in Science (2017).

Distinguished Scholar Award

Professor of Biology Brant W. Touchette

Acknowledging the “scope, impact and continuity” of his scholarship, Brant W. Touchette, professor of biology, is the 26th recipient of the Distinguished Scholar Award, Elon’s top faculty research award which recognizes a faculty member whose research has earned peer commendation and respect and who has made significant contributions to his or her field of study.

Touchette’s research focuses on nutritional and stress physiology of native and agriculturally relevant plants, with a focus on how plants survive in areas that are typically hostile to most species. During his 24 years at Elon University, he has authored or coauthored 33 peer-reviewed scientific journal publications, 10 book chapters and proceedings, 20 technical reports, along with more than 75 professional presentations, seminars and guest lectures. Of these presentations, 23 included published abstracts at regional, national and international conferences.

Described as “an extraordinary prolific researcher” by Elon Professor of Biology and Environmental Sciences Michael Kingston, Touchette has used the university greenhouse and original plant growth chamber to extend his field research season.

“It is difficult for someone who is not a field biologist to appreciate the magnitude and scope of Dr. Touchette’s scholarly productivity,” wrote Kingston in his recommendation letter for Touchette. “Field biologists often must confine their data collection activities to a specific ‘field season’ when the organisms of interest are actively growing, reproducing, or behaving. For many of the field biologists at Elon University, summer provides that time when we can spend significant uninterrupted time in the field collecting data and testing hypotheses. Dr. Touchette has overcome this limitation with creative solutions.”

In original contributions to his field, excellence in evaluations by professional peers across more than two decades ongoing, and amazing creative activity, he is a shining example of the best among scientists.

JoAnn M. Burkholder, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor at NC State University

Touchette, who joined Elon’s faculty in 2001, has received 20 external research grants and contracts, along with 14 education grants. His recommendations for the Distinguished Scholar Award came from colleagues at institutions across North Carolina, including North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

“In original contributions to his field, excellence in evaluations by professional peers across more than two decades ongoing, and amazing creative activity, he is a shining example of the best among scientists in advancing both his field and natural resource conservation through outstanding scholarship,” said JoAnn M. Burkholder, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor at NC State University.

Provost Rebecca Kohn presented the award to Touchette during Tuesday’s luncheon.

“I want to thank my colleagues and friends in the McMichael Science Building. Without your time, commitment and support, I could never have achieved what I’ve been able to do and also all of those wonderful students that have come through my lab. Their enthusiasm is contagious. It’s what really drives me to keep going,” said Touchette.

Touchette earned a doctorate in botany from NC State University, where he also did postdoctoral research with the Center for Applied Aquatic Ecology. He earned a Master of Science in ocean science (marine science) from Nova Southeastern University, Oceanographic Center and a Bachelor of Arts in biology from the University of Delaware.

Steven and Patricia House Excellence in Mentoring Award

Professor of Public Health Studies Cynthia Fair

Recognized for her steadfast commitment to mentorship throughout her more than two decades at Elon, Cynthia Fair, professor of public health studies, human service studies and Watts-Thompson professor, is the sixth recipient of the Steven and Patricia House Excellence in Mentoring Award.

The House Excellence in Mentoring Award was endowed in 2020 by Steven House, provost emeritus and former executive vice president, and his wife, Patricia House. Every year, the award honors faculty and staff excelling in student mentoring. The award is in acknowledgement of Elon’s national recognition as a leader in engaged, experiential learning.

Fair, who joined Elon in 1999, is a cornerstone of the university’s commitment to engaged learning, mentoring undergraduate research with numerous Honors and Elon College fellows, three Leadership Prize Scholars and eight Lumen Scholars.

“Dr. Fair is the mentor I never expected and the mentor that everyone needs,” said Amanda Bingaman ’20, one of the Lumen Scholars mentored by Fair. “She shaped my career and influenced how I approach public health and research-related problems, all while making me feel cared for and instilling the belief that I was contributing to something bigger than myself.”

Not only is Fair recognized for her student mentorship, but her faculty mentorship has been described as deeply impactful and “unprecedented.”

“Colleagues across campus look to Cindy for guidance, advice, and mentoring on her expertise in maintaining a high-quality and productive research agenda while juggling significant service and teaching contributions,” wrote Maureen Vandermaas-Peeler, professor of psychology, and Stephanie Baker, associate professor and chair of public health studies in their award recommendation letter. “Cindy is thoughtful, caring, realistic, and honest – all characteristics that support students and colleagues through their personal and professional journeys. Her lens has always been holistic, and her mentoring supports the whole person.”

She is described by Vandermass-Peeler and Baker as a “rockstar in the classroom,” including with her childbirth course that has been adapted to serve students in the Core Curriculum and second-year honors students.

“I absolutely loved the content and how Dr. Fair encouraged me and my peers to think critically about topics such as the medicalization of birth, role of a doula and the power of birth stories,” said Bingaman about the childbirth course.

“Dr. Fair is the mentor I never expected and the mentor that everyone needs.”

Amanda Bingaman ’20, one of the Lumen Scholars mentored by Fair

Fair has previously been recognized for her scholarship and teaching with the Elon College Excellence in Teaching Award (2008), the Elon College Excellence in Scholarship Award (2014) and the Distinguished Scholar Award (2015).

“Mentoring undergraduate research is my happy place, and I am so grateful to Elon for helping me find that happy place,” said Fair, who received the award Tuesday from Deandra Little, associate provost for faculty affairs. “I love my teaching and I love my scholarship and then you add in service because we have flagship programs that can’t function without high-quality mentored experiences.”

Fair earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Davidson College, a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Doctorate of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research interests include adolescents and young adults with HIV, maternal health and health care transition.

Periclean Award for Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility

Professor of Communication Design Phillip Motley, Jr.

For his championship of community-based learning, Phillip Motley, Jr. is the 23^rd recipient of the Periclean Award for Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility.

The Periclean Award for Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility is given each year to a member of Elon’s faculty or staff whose community service exemplifies the ideals of Project Pericles. Project Pericles started at Elon in 2002 when the university became one of 10 universities to accept a challenge from the Eugene Lang Foundation to provide a learning experience that would “instill in students an abiding sense of social responsibility and civic concern.”

“Phillip embodies the mission of Project Pericles,” said Naeemah Clark, associate provost for academic inclusive excellence, who presented Motley with the award on Tuesday. “He’s a teacher, a mentor, a collaborator and a servant leader who, in the truest sense of the word, believes in Elon students and community.”

Motley is in his fifth and final year as faculty fellow for community-based learning, helping recruit faculty to integrate the practice into their courses while providing guidance and support. Community-based learning immerses students in real-world service experiences, allowing them to address a community need using what they learned into the classroom.

At Elon, community-based learning is embedded within the service Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR), one of the five Elon Experiences, with students required to complete two ELRs to graduate. Seventy-nine percent of students in the Class of 2024 engaged in a service experience and service had the second highest participation rate among all five Elon Experiences in 2024. In 2024, U.S. News and World Report ranked Elon as No. 2 in the nation for service-learning.

As faculty fellow, Motley was integral in changing how Elon approaches community-engaged teaching and learning, helping change the language from “academic service learning” to “community-based learning,” with a focus not just on nonprofits, government agencies and schools, but also small local businesses.

“Over the past five years, Phillip has transformed how our entire university prepares students to be global citizens and informed leaders motivated by concern for the common good,” said Bob Frigo, assistant dean of campus life and director of the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, who nominated Motley for the award.

During Motley’s time as faculty fellow, he has worked to streamline how community-based learning courses are developed, expanded opportunities for the practice, and supported faculty in teaching the courses, both through developing grant opportunities and training. Over the past five years, the number of courses incorporating community engagement has grown from 67 to 87.

“In over 20 years of teaching, the only experience that I’ve used as a teacher in which students stop worrying about the grade is community engagement, and it happens every time, not once in a while, every time, and it never gets old,” said Motley after receiving the award. “As a teacher, that’s why I think it’s really important that we work with our communities to teach our students.”

He’s a teacher, a mentor, a collaborator and a servant leader who, in the truest sense of the word, believes in Elon students and community.

Naeemah Clark, associate provost for academic inclusive excellence

Motley has been recognized previously for his work with service-based learning, earning the 2025 North Carolina Campus Engaged Faculty Award during the Pathways to Achieving Civic Engagement Conference in February. The Engaged Faculty Award recognizes one faculty member in North Carolina for exemplary engaged teaching and scholarship.

Motley earned a Bachelor of Arts in fine art from Davidson College and a Master of Fine Arts in industrial design from North Carolina State University. He has taught at Elon since 2009, where his research interests include pedagogies of design and experiential learning.