Six University of Delaware faculty members were honored at
the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Convocation on Friday, May 27, for
excellence in the areas of teaching, scholarship, advising, advocacy, faculty
mentoring and service.
At the ceremony, Dean John A. Pelesko called their body of
work impressive and “their dedication to learning inspiring.” The recipients
were nominated by their peers for these awards, which are presented annually.
Jennifer Barker, professor of theory and composition in the
School of Music, received the Outstanding Scholarship Award. She is
world-renowned in multiple musical contexts – symphony orchestra, opera,
chamber music, solo instrumental, vocal music and world music. Her scholarship
reaches far outside the University throughout the region, the U.S. and the
global stage.
The award for Outstanding Teaching was presented to Carolyn
White Bartoo, an associate instructor in the Department of Communication.
Nominators noted that Bartoo engages her students with her humor, energy,
focus, pedagogical skills and passion for teaching. One of her peers said:
“[Bartoo] exemplifies the care and excellence that this college expects from
its professors. Her enthusiasm and dedication to students is visible in every
class she teaches and every student with whom she has contact.”
Laura Helton, an assistant professor with a joint appointment
in the departments of History and English, received the Outstanding Advocacy
Award. Helton, a national leader in the history of African American archives,
was recognized for her commitment to creating a vibrant and inclusive community
at the University of Delaware. Helton’s scholarly research supports
public-facing initiatives to make Black resources more accessible in library
and museum spaces.
The award for Excellence in Faculty Mentoring is based upon
supporting and promoting a positive and inclusive scholarly and teaching
environment and contributing to the quality of life and professional
development of new faculty within and/or beyond the college's research or
degree programs. This year, Edward Larkin, a professor in the Department of
English, earned this award in recognition of his approach to mentoring—both
individual and institutional. As one nominator noted, “He has provided candid,
supportive and useful feedback to the whole generation of junior scholars who
have come after him,” adding, “My experience with Dr. Larkin is by no means
unique, either.”
John Morgan, an associate professor in the Department of
Physics and Astronomy, received the Outstanding Service Award. Morgan has
served on UD’s Faculty Senate, CAS Executive Committee, CAS Faculty Senate and
the University’s Faculty Senate University Budget Committee. The award
committee said that Morgan is an “encyclopedia” of historical knowledge within
the University and College Faculty Senate and recognized his level of
dedication, ability to learn from previous experiences and affinity for “getting
into the weeds” to advance progress.
Sarah Wasserman, an associate professor in the Department of
English, was presented the Outstanding Advising Award. Wasserman was recognized
for “establishing a culture of excellence in advisement for her department.”
Pelesko noted that Wasserman is “a devoted adviser who regularly goes far
beyond the call of duty to ensure that students find their way, both at UD and
after graduation.”
Article by Margo McDonough
Published June 3, 2022
