Elon faculty and staff recognized for excellence at 2026 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 12.

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. Thirty-one employees who were recognized for 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service have served a collective 2,810 years at Elon.

Elon President Connie Ledoux Book opened the ceremony with highlights and successes from the 2025-26 academic year and encouraged the audience to pause and take pride in their work.

“Thank you for the work you’ve done to strengthen our community and our mission and thank you for all you do to ensure that students succeed when they choose Elon,” said Book.

During the ceremony, Book also announced the appointment of Katy Rouse, professor of economics, as the trustee chair for excellence in undergraduate teaching for 2026-2029. This three-year chair was developed by the Board of Trustees in 2023 to honor a faculty member who exemplifies Elon’s teacher-scholar-mentor model and contributes to the broader scholarship of teaching and learning. Rouse was praised for her impact on student learning and mentoring both in and beyond the classroom and for advancing the scholarship of teaching and learning through publications in leading economics education journals.

The ceremony concluded with a celebration of faculty and staff who were honored with awards from the university this year: Associate Professor and Chair of English Scott Proudfit, Associate Professor and Chair of Philosophy Ryan Johnson, Associate Professor of Geography Sandy Marshall and Associate Teaching Professor of Human Service Studies Sandra Reid.

Daniels-Danieley Excellence in Teaching Award

Associate Professor and Chair of English Scott Proudfit

Described as a mentor and teacher who “persuades his students to be incisive and critical thinkers,” Scott Proudfit, associate professor and chair of English, is the 54th recipient of the Daniels-Danieley Excellence in Teaching Award. The award was established by President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley ’46 and his wife, Verona Daniels Danieley, in honor of their parents.

Megan Isaac, professor of English, and Rosemary Haskell, professor of English, said in their joint nomination, “Our decision to elect Scott to the position of chair two years ago was not rooted in his organizational skills, kindness, or vision (although he has all of those qualities), but because he models and supports our central mission-teaching.”

Dinidu Karunanayake, assistant professor of English, praised the “Scott-standard,” which he says undoubtedly enriches and emboldens Elon core values. “Scott is an exemplary embodiment of the teacher-scholar-mentor model,” said Karunanayake in his nomination letter. “His ability to effortlessly (and synchronously) straddle many paths as a tireless and gifted teacher, top-notch researcher, big-hearted mentor, daring advisor, generous colleague and above all, a truly remarkable human being puts him at the height of the teaching profession.”

In addition to teaching core English courses, Proudfit redeveloped the drama curriculum through courses exploring dramatic styles, literary theory and contemporary social themes. The courses are now core components of the English major and the drama & theatre studies major and are routine choices for students in acting, arts administration and theatrical design & technology majors.

The award was presented by Book, who, in her prepared speech, said, “This combination of rigor and care is a hallmark of an Elon education – rooted in relationships shaped by intellectual curiosity, and leaving a legacy long after graduation. And boy, does [Proudfit] have it!”

“Scott’s energy and love for the literature that he teaches is apparent in every second of his lessons, and it rubs off on his students. The discussions that he leads are student-centered, each one opening with one or two students bringing in prepared questions to kick off the day. ”

– Annaliese Jaffe ’18, high school English teacher and former student

Upon receiving the award, Proudfit told the crowd that he worries those who distrust higher education may have never had a good relationship with a teacher.

“It’s too bad,” he said. “Because for me, the relationship between a teacher and a student is one of the most central relationships for a good life.”

And, he noted, “I have been lucky enough to have these kinds of relationships with students over and over again at Elon.”

Proudfit ended his speech by naming former students who shaped his Elon experience.

Proudfit earned a Ph.D. in English from Northwestern University in 2008, where his major field of study was drama in English. He earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and theater, cum laude, from Columbia University in 1993 and joined Elon University in 2010. Before completing his doctorate, Proudfit worked with theater groups in Los Angeles and New York, covered theater scenes in both cities as an editor for Back Stage and Back Stage West and worked as an assistant editor for a division of Marvel Comics. He has served as associate editor and co-editor on multiple publications and published multiple essays. Proudfit is the recipient of the Inspirational Ally Award (2017) and the Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award (2019).

Distinguished Scholar Award

Associate Professor and Chair of Philosophy Ryan Johnson

Described as an “unstoppable force when it comes to research publications,” Ryan Johnson produces the equivalent of 5.4 peer-reviewed articles or book chapters per year – over three times the amount of scholarship expected by a philosopher at an R1 institution. Johnson, associate professor and chair of philosophy, is the 27th recipient of the 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.

When Johnson arrived at Elon in 2015, his research brought together 20th-century French philosophy and ancient Hellenistic thought, of which he has several publications. Soon after, he grappled with what it meant to be a white man in the American South and began seeing his subject position and scholarship through new eyes.

“All of this traced back to lessons I learned from my former teacher, George Yancy,” said Johnson. “Soon I realized how canonical European philosophers, especially Hegel and Nietzsche, must reckon with challenges posed by thinkers such as W.E.B. Du Bois and Audre Lorde.”

Johnson’s research focuses on continental philosophy, African American philosophy and the history of philosophy, with particular attention to questions of race, liberation, democracy and the relationship between philosophy and everyday life. His scholarship explores thinkers including Hegel, Deleuze and the Stoics while examining how philosophical ideas shape contemporary political, cultural and ethical questions.

Rebecca E. Kohn, provost and vice president of academic affairs and professor of biology, who presented the award, described Johnson as a model of sustained intellectual engagement whose work “has defined major segments of the discussions in current literature,” noting that research is not insulated from teaching – it is deeply integrated with it.

Addressing the crowd, Johnson expressed gratitude to his wife and colleagues. He alluded to the uniqueness of his research and said Elon is the only place he can imagine himself doing this work.

In a nomination letter, Thomas Nail, professor and chair of philosophy at Denver University, said that he continues to be impressed by Johnson’s work due to his originality and enthusiasm for new and experimental directions in research and teaching.

“I can honestly say with no hesitation that I do not know anyone else in our field who is as adventurous and forward looking as Ryan.”

– Thomas Nail, professor and chair of philosophy at Denver University 

Johnson has published nine books, with three others in various states of completion. He has also contributed 24 peer-reviewed journal articles, 15 book chapters and edited a special issue of a professional journal, in addition to 58 conference presentations. Johnson is the author or co-author of several books, including Phenomenology of Black Spirit (2022), Deleuze, A Stoic (2020) and The Deleuze-Lucretius Encounter (2017), and has edited multiple scholarly collections in philosophy.

Stephen Bloch-Schulman, professor of philosophy at Elon, said about Johnson, “He recognizes and deepens the ways that scholarship, university service and teaching are necessarily interwoven practices that, for him, are united by the twin ethical demands of living life as a philosopher and creating community and connections around fighting racism.”

Praising Johnson for his ongoing engagement to learn more about the African American philosophical tradition and the ways he inspires his students to think intensively and critically to the history of philosophy, Stephen C. Ferguson, associate professor of philosophy and religious studies at North Carolina State University said, “By combining a creative impulse with a historically grounded approach to intellectual thought, Ryan’s work provides a window into what it means to be a great interdisciplinary scholar and thinker.”

Johnson earned his Ph.D. in philosophy from Duquesne University in 2014 and joined Elon University in 2015. He served as an associate professor and chair of philosophy at Elon. He is the recipient of the Excellence in Scholarship Award (2020), four Faculty Research and Development Summer Research Fellowships and external awards including a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipend and the John William Miller Fellowship.

Steven and Patricia House Excellence in Mentoring Award

Associate Professor of Geography Sandy Marshall

Sandy Marshall, associate professor of geography, has built a career at Elon defined by a sustained commitment to student mentoring, undergraduate research and community-engaged learning. Since joining the university in 2017, he has mentored students across disciplines and guided research exploring global regions, migration and lived experiences, helping students connect academic work with complex social and cultural contexts.

Marshall received the Steven and Patricia House Excellence in Mentoring Award, which was endowed in 2020 by Provost Emeritus Steven House and Patricia House to honor faculty and staff who excel in student mentoring and reflect Elon’s national recognition as a leader in engaged, experiential learning.

Marshall’s mentorship has shaped students who have gone on to careers in public service, law and global development, including a public defense attorney, a Harvard- and Yale-trained criminal justice attorney and a global development consultant who has worked with the United Nations and USAID. His mentees have also earned competitive achievements such as Fulbright fellowships, Critical Language Scholarships and publication in academic journals.

Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professor of English Deandra Little presented the award, saying about Marshall, “Student and alumni representatives consistently describe this awardee as a strong mentor whose guidance has shaped their academic path and broadened their understanding of what meaningful mentorship can look like, and whose mentoring persists long after graduation.”

Marshall encouraged the audience to surround themselves with people who see potential in them beyond what they themselves can see. “That’s what I’ve tried to do for my students, and that’s what so many of you have done for me,” he shared.

Amy Allocco, professor of religious studies, and Brian Pennington, director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society and professor of religious studies, praised Marshall’s mentoring approach, writing that “his patience, kindness and generosity with his time has helped several students find success and feel proud of the work that they had completed by graduation.” They noted that his mentorship is “deep, context-sensitive, and enduring,” often continuing long after students graduate.

Students echoed that impact in their nomination letters. Nicole Plante ’20, now a JD candidate at Yale Law School, wrote that “from the very beginning of our work together, Dr. Marshall served as an amazing resource who gave me a lot of autonomy and encouraged me to take the lead of my project.”

“Dr. Marshall pushed me to go further and put myself in situations that not only stretched my intellectual capacity, but also my moral convictions and future aspirations.”
– Taylor Garner ’20, global development strategist

Kylee Marie Smith ’21, assistant public defender for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida, described the lasting influence of that mentorship, writing, “In my almost five years since graduating from Elon, I have continuously realized that my road always leads back to Dr. Marshall and the foundations, skills and knowledge that he taught me.”

Marshall’s commitment to students extends beyond the classroom and across the globe. Alyssa Carney ’26, who is double-majoring in international & global studies and history, noted that during her semester abroad, “Dr. Marshall went so far as to travel from North Carolina to Sevilla during his own spring break to meet with me, check in on my research progress and provide guidance while I was in the field.” She added that his mentorship is defined by “his belief in his students’ potential” and his ability to create a space where “curiosity, critical thinking, and genuine exchange thrive.”

In addition to mentoring undergraduate researchers, Marshall has served as interim director of the Multifaith Scholars program and as faculty director in the Global Neighborhood, where he fosters student development through advising, programming and community-building. In 2020, he co-founded the Power and Place Collaborative, partnering with local nonprofits and municipal entities to engage students in oral history and storytelling projects that connect academic inquiry with community experience.

Across these roles, Marshall’s mentorship emphasizes long-term growth, global engagement and meaningful relationships.

Periclean Award for Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility

Associate Teaching Professor of Human Service Studies Sandra Reid

Sandra Reid, senior lecturer in human service studies, is the 24th recipient of the Periclean Award for Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility, which recognizes a member of Elon’s faculty or staff whose service to the broader community exemplifies the ideals of Project Pericles, a national initiative that advocates for preparing students for socially responsible citizenship.

Through decades of work in juvenile justice, social work and higher education, Reid has built a career defined by civic engagement, community leadership and social responsibility. Her work reflects a deep commitment to helping students become engaged citizens and leaders in their communities.

At Elon, Reid teaches courses including Juvenile Justice and The Black Family, helping students examine systemic inequalities through civic engagement and social justice frameworks. She also teaches interdisciplinary programs including Poverty and Social Justice and African and African American Studies.

Reid also leads “Disarming Justice,” a Winter Term study away program in Alabama where students visit historic Civil Rights Movement sites and engage in conversations about systemic inequities that persist today.

Naeemah Clark, associate provost for academic inclusive excellence and professor of cinema and television arts, presented the award. She described Periclean awardees as “smart service-minded leaders” who use their experiences to leave the world better than they found it.

“Periclean awardees empower others to be engaged citizens and leaders in their communities — the personification of that ideal is Sandra Reid.”

— Naeemah Clark, associate provost for academic inclusive excellence and professor of cinema and television arts

Reid expressed surprise and gratitude for the recognition, telling the audience, “I never imagined that I’d be back here teaching after being in juvenile justice, but it’s been one of the best things that I’ve done.”

Faculty members in the Department of Human Service Studies praised Reid’s “gift for facilitating what she calls ‘courageous conversations’ about justice, equity and difference” in their nomination letter. They wrote that Reid encourages students to engage difficult topics thoughtfully and recognize that “learning — and social justice work — is an ongoing process.”

Beyond the classroom, Reid mentors students through programs including the Elon Academy, Renaissance Scholars and the Elon chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her community leadership includes chairing the Alamance County Community Services Agency, training law enforcement in cultural competency and community engagement, and serving on the Alamance County Coalition of Remembrance, helping memorialize local lynching victims.

Reid’s work in juvenile justice, education and community leadership has shaped generations of students pursuing careers in public service, advocacy and social change.