Sept. 9, 2010
As The University of Texas celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Graduate School, UT Athletics and one of their sponsors, ING, will honor some special faculty during an on-field ceremony during the home Football game Saturday against Wyoming.
Since 1910, more than 125,000 alumni have earned master's or doctoral degrees from UT and gone on to change the world, and in honor of their impact, their work will be celebrated with the "ING Professors of Excellence" ceremony.
"ING is committed to recognizing and honoring excellence in education," said David Linney, executive vice president and head of Public Markets, ING. "The ING Professor of Excellence Award is just one of the ways we can express our appreciation for educators who are dedicated to helping students reach their full potential, preparing them to compete in the global society."
ING is a global financial institution offering banking, investments, life insurance and retirement services to more than 85 million clients around the world. ING is dedicated to setting the standard in helping clients manage their financial futures.
Seven featured professors will be presented with a commemorative gift from ING during an on-field presentation as the Longhorns host the Cowboys of Wyoming.
"We want to acknowledge the great work these faculty members do here on our campus and in our classrooms," UT Men's Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds said.
Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies and the Ashbel Smith Professor of Public Affairs Victoria Rodríguez
Rodríguez teaches courses in policy development, women in politics and public policy, and theory and philosophy of public policy. Her research focuses on politics and democratization in Mexico. In 2000 Dean Rodríguez received jointly with Professor Peter Ward the Ohtli Medal, the highest honor granted by the Mexican government outside Mexico. In 2002 Hispanic Business named her as one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in the United States, and in 2007 as one of 20 Elite Women.
Cockrell School of Engineering Assistant Professor James Tunnell
Tunnell has performed research in developing minimally invasive devices for the early detection and treatment of cancer. Tunnell has developed a handheld scanner to detect skin cancer that may reduce the need for surgical skin biopsies.
College of Liberal Arts Professor Toyin Falola
Falola, the Frances Higginbotham Nalle Centennial Professor in History and Distinguished Teaching Professor, received the 2010 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award. This award recognizes not only superior teaching of graduate students, but also outstanding skill and supervising theses, reports and dissertations.
College of Pharmacy Professor Karen Rascati
Rascati is a Stewart Turley/Eckerd Corporation Centennial Endowed Professor, and has performed research using pharmacoeconomics to help the World Health Organization ensure global health care resources are widely used.
College of Natural Sciences Professor Tanya Paull
Paull, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor, has researched molecular genetics to uncover the mechanisms of DNA repair.
College of Communication Associate Professor Geraldine Henderson
Henderson has worked to improve global marketplace diversity and create equality for all consumers and entrepreneurs. Henderson's research seeks to improve effectiveness in product development, service delivery and marketing communications to meet the needs of all populations in our multicultural world.
College of Education Assistant Professor Victor Saenz
Saenz has worked to improve college access and college readiness for Latina/o, first-generation and low-income students. Saenz's research informs state and federal policy issues that promote access and equity for these future college students.
