All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff Member Award Guidelines

Each year the Southern Conferences recognizes a faculty and staff member from each conference institution for their exemplary service to the university. Included on this page are the general guidelines from the SoCon office.

Specifics for UTC:

A call for faculty and staff nominations will go out in Fall 2025.  Nominations must include a brief description of the service the nominee has provided to the institution.

General Description

1. The Southern Conference will annually recognize members of the faculty and staff who have made a significant impact in the lives of students and served our respective institutions in significant ways. 
2. The recipients – one faculty member and one staff member per institution – will be selected by each institution using its own process. The name of each honoree will be provided to the Southern Conference by the Faculty Athletics Representative. 
3.  Award winners must be communicated to the Conference office by October 1st. An announcement of the winners will be made early in mid-October by the Conference office. 
4. The recipients will be invited to attend a home football or basketball game to be presented their all-conference plaque by the Commissioner or his designee. 
5. Each institution must supply a bio and head shot of the recipients for inclusion on the Southern Conference website and other applications.

Eligibility Criteria - Faculty Member

Recipients should be chosen based on the institution's own criteria, which may include the following:

1. Demonstrated service to their institution.  
2. Recognition for a research project or written academic piece.
3. Contributions to student life and the local community.

Eligibility Criteria - Staff Member

Recipients should be chosen based on the institution's own criteria, which may include the following:

1. Demonstrated record of service to the institution.  
2. Recognition for bringing out the best in others and creating conditions for success.
3. Contributions to student life and the local community.
    

Previous recipients

Mike Jones (Engr. - FY16)

Gretchen Potts (FY17) and Lisa Tarr (FY17)

Valerie Rutledge (FY18) and Emily Quinn (FY18)

Jamie Harvey (FY19) and Melanie Ribaric (FY19)

Debbie Ingram (FY20) and Terry Denniston (FY20)

Chris Smith (FY21) and Endia Butler (FY21) 

Mark Schorr (FY22) and Christopher Stokes (FY22)

Michael Thompson (FY23) and Will Watson (FY23)

Liz Hathaway (F24) and Theresa Blackman (FY24)