April 10, 2007 -- Dr. Richard K. Freer, Ms. Cathy Hall and Dr. Patrick A. Stewart today were named recipients of the 2006-07 Board of Trustees Faculty Achievement Awards during a Convocation of Scholars ceremony at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

Freer, associate professor of social work in the College of Nursing and Health Professions, received the Faculty Award for Professional Service.

Hall, assistant professor of nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Professions, received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Stewart, associate professor of public administration and director of the MPA program in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, received the Faculty Award for Scholarship.

Also, Dr. Melodie Philhours, assistant professor of marketing, was named recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Academic Advisor Award, given by the Wilson Center for Academic Advising and Learning Assistance.

The winners were announced during the annual Faculty Honors Convocation, a highlight of the 29th annual Convocation of Scholars events. A university committee reviews nominations from professional colleagues and makes the selections.

Richard Freer
Freer’s list of professional service activities and contributions were cited by his nominators "to be of exceptional merit and importance to the discipline." He serves in several committee and leadership roles within his department and college, including the committees on Curriculum, Credentials and Scholarship and Promotion Review and Tenure. At the university level, he serves on the committees for Diversity and Affirmative Action; Academic Hearing; Foundations of Excellence Self Study; and others. He also is vice chair of the Faculty Senate. His service in the community includes the boards of Action for Kids and Our Kids Count Coalition.

A member of the ASU faculty since 1994, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Anderson University, his master’s from Michigan State University, and his doctorate from Case Western Reserve University.

Cathy Hall
Hall, an assistant professor of nursing, was commended both by her students and professional colleagues for her exceptional performance both in classroom and clinical practicum courses in the associate in applied science in nursing program. Her nominators cited student comments such as " . . . outstanding instructor who knows how to teach," and "one of the very best instructors at A-State." Evaluations also note her exceptional ability to teach effectively through the compressed video network to classes at three locations simultaneously.

Hall earned her bachelor’s degree at ASU and her master’s from the University of Cincinnati. She joined the ASU faculty in 1991.

Patrick Stewart
Stewart has experienced a very productive year with publishing his research. Two of his scholarly articles have been published in refereed journals. He has written four book chapters; two have already been published and two have been accepted for publication. Also, a number of his shorter articles have been published in technical journals. Through the Center for Social Research, which he serves as co-director, he has been involved with providing significant research opportunities and experience for political science and public administration students.

A member of the ASU faculty since 1998, Stewart earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Central Florida, and his doctoral degree in political science from Northern Illinois University.

Melodie Philhours
Philhours was recognized for her exemplary work in advising students at all levels in their development stages.

She earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at ASU, plus post-doctoral work at the University of Memphis. She has served on faculty since 1985.

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