Anytime a faculty member receives a national award it is big news. So having three psychology faculty win major national awards in a single year is just amazing!!!

Dr. Kate Bruce was named Carnegie Foundation Professor of the Year for the
state of North Carolina. The U.S. Professors of the Year program, sponsored by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, salutes the most outstanding undergraduate instructors in the country – those who excel in teaching and positively influence the lives and careers of students. Dr. Bruce is a Professor of Psychology, and the Director of the UNCW Honors Scholars Program.

Dr. Antonio Puente was named the American Psychological Association State Leadership Award winner. The APA bestows this honor to an individual who
represents outstanding service to their state and significant participation in advocacy and legislative efforts advancing the profession of psychology. Dr. Puente, a UNCW faculty member since 1981, has represented psychologists and the APA by serving on numerous committees since 1994. Moreover, he has authored seven books and more than 160 scientific and professional articles.

Dr. Kim Sawrey was named Outstanding First Year Student Advocate by the National Resource Center for the First Year Experience. The National Resource Center focuses on the support and advancement of efforts to improve student
learning and facilitate transitions into and through higher education. In addition to advising undergraduates for 13 years, Dr. Sawrey advocates for his students
through curricular reform and teaching, as well as by inspiring students to embrace the concept of global citizenship. For his continued creativity, knowledge, and commitment to enhancing the academic experience, Dr. Sawrey has received numerous awards and remains a trusted advocate of students at UNCW.

Two psychology faculty also won major state awards:

Dr. Len Lecci received the 2009 Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching, which is granted to only one tenured professor from each of the seventeen UNC campuses.  The award was established by the UNC Board of Governors in order to encourage, identify, recognize, reward, and support excellent teaching within the university system. Dr. Lecci, who is the second psychology professor to be granted this award at UNCW (Dr. Carol Pilgrim won in 2003), is also actively engaged in research and a clinical practice.

Dr. Andy Jackson was bestowed a major state honor, the McFarland-Edgerton Award, at the annual meeting of the Mental Health Association in North Carolina.
This award is given to an individual who has made a long term contribution to
the cause of the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental illness
and advocacy for those with mental illness.

Psychology faculty also brought in three prestigious UNCW awards: Dr. Dale Cohen received the Scholarship Award, Dr. Nora Noel won the Graduate Mentor Award and Dr. Richard Ogle won a Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award.

Our program seeks excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement and to have faculty recognized in each of these categories is a clear affirmation of our success. We couldn’t be more proud of the distinguished faculty members that make up the UNCW Psychology Department.