Each year, Denison University celebrates the academic achievements of students and faculty during the college’s annual academic awards convocation. This year, due to the Covid-19 crisis, the annual event was canceled, but the recognition of new faculty chairs, honoraries that include additional support for research, continues.

A number of Denison professors hold named chairs, which come with monetary and other awards. The professors newly holding five-year named chairs are:

• Associate Professor of Modern Languages Dosinda Garcia Alvite: The Alumni Chair
• Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy Riina Tehver: The J. Reid Anderson Distinguished Professorship in Physics
• Associate Professor of Economics Jessica Bean: The JP Morgan Chase Endowed Professorship in Economics
• Professor of Physics and Astronomy Wesley Walter: The Henry Chisholm Chair in Natural Sciences
• Associate Professor of International Studies Taku Suzuki: The Judy Gentili Chair in International Studies

Two inaugural named faculty chairs were introduced:

• Professor of History Megan Threlkeld: The Michael G. and Barbara W. Rahal Professorship in History
• Professor for Environmental Studies Abram Kaplan: The Anne Powell Riley Endowed Professorship

Two special awards recognized particular excellence in teaching at Denison.

• Associate Professor of Economics Quentin Duroy: The Charles A. Brickman Excellence in Teaching Award
• Professor of History and Director of Global Commerce Karen Spierling: The Bonar Family Mentoring and Teaching Excellence Award

One special award recognizes faculty mentorship and leadership on campus.

• Associate Professor of Black Studies and Director of Center for Black Studies Toni King: The Charles & Nancy Brickman Distinguished Leadership Chair