Tulane University will honor dedicated faculty members with university-wide teaching awards during the Unified Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 18, 2024. These awards include the Tulane President’s Awards for Excellence in Professional and Graduate Teaching, the Suzanne and Stephen Weiss Presidential Fellowship for Undergraduate Education and the Oliver Fund Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentoring.
The recipients of the 2024 President’s Awards for Excellence in Professional and Graduate Teaching are Ricardo Cortez, the Pendergraft William Larkin Duren Professor in the Department of Mathematics in the School of Science and Engineering, and Adeline Masquelier, professor in the Department of Anthropology in the School of Liberal Arts.
The 2024 Weiss Fellow is Carrie Wyland, senior professor of practice in the Department of Psychology in the School of Science and Engineering.
The Oliver Fund Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentoring, which is given on a biannual basis, has been awarded to Katherine Theall, holder of the Cecile Usdin Professorship in Women’s Health in the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, director of the Mary Amelia Center for Women’s Health Equity Research and senior director of the Violence Prevention Institute.
Recipients are nominated and then reviewed and chosen by a selection committee. The Oliver Fund Award recipient is chosen by the provost.
Ricardo Cortez, the Pendergraft William Larkin Duren Professor in the Department of Mathematics in the School of Science and Engineering, has focused on increasing the representation of women and racial groups who have been historically underrepresented in mathematics departments. A colleague wrote, “For more than two decades, I have watched Ricardo be a champion and advocate for graduate students …” Another wrote, “I have witnessed Ricardo ‘meeting the students where they are,’ but then methodically ‘reaching out a hand and lifting them up’ to achieve levels of excellence.” (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano)
Adeline Masquelier, professor in the Department of Anthropology in the School of Liberal Arts, works to create a classroom environment that encourages collaboration, experimentation and growth. A former graduate student of Masquelier said, “Almost a decade after earning my PhD under Adeline’s guidance, I still carry with me her advice, and I try to model the mentorship lessons I learned from her with my own students.” Another graduate student wrote, “Dr. Masquelier created a safe environment for our respective creative processes to unfold, thereby rooting me in my writing and intellectual practice.” (Photo courtesy of the School of Liberal Arts)
Carrie Wyland, senior professor of practice in the Department of Psychology in the School of Science and Engineering, aims to foster resilience among her students and believes in the importance of seeing students holistically while supporting their growth. A former student and teaching assistant wrote in Wyland’s nomination form, “By using a variety of learning modalities … she ensured that students would be able to learn the material in the way that best suited them.” Another said, “Witnessing her immersed in lively discussions while strolling alongside a student is a clear demonstration of her authentic dedication to both her community and workplace.” (Photo by Nick Pierre)
Katherine Theall, holder of the Cecile Usdin Professorship in Women’s Health in the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, director of the Mary Amelia Center for Women’s Health Equity Research and senior director of the Violence Prevention Institute, has served as an unwavering mentor to countless postdoctoral fellows and junior and mid-level faculty. One faculty member wrote, “She is a fearless advocate for junior faculty and has truly built a supportive network for many of us across disciplines to collaborate and expand our research portfolios.” Another said, “Dr. Theall’s mentorship extends far beyond academic guidance — she fosters an environment of trust, respect and interdisciplinary collaboration, empowering her mentees to thrive both personally and professionally.” (Photo courtesy of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine)
