Like Coach Cal, I’ve been hot on the recruiting trail and am pleased to announce Dr. Joy Clay will join the College as assistant dean of interdisciplinary studies this summer. Joy is also an associate professor in public and non-profit administration. She brings years of interdisciplinary research, teaching, and service experience to her new position. We are also pleased to welcome Ms. Holly Beuke as assistant director of development (read bio). Welcome to the team!

Key additions to our roster for the fall semester include Dr. Gayle Beck as Moss Chair of Excellence in Psychology (read bio), Dr. Kenneth Reardon as director of City and Regional Planning, and Dr. Eric Link as chair of the English department. We are in also in the final stages of signing on approximately 23 new tenure track assistant professors—all in all a tremendous year for recruiting new talent.

Very special congratulations go to Dr. Ralph Albanese who received the Board of Visitors' Eminent Faculty Award at the Spring 2008 Convocation. This is the highest award given to any faculty member at the University of Memphis-the academic equivalent of an MVP award. Dr. Albanese is a professor of foreign languages and has chaired the department of foreign languages and literature since 1990.

We have a deep bench filled with Faculty All Stars in Arts & Sciences. Twenty-four CAS faculty members were honored at Convocation this year for their outstanding contributions in the areas of teaching, advising, and research. (For more on faculty awards, visit the Faculty Honors page) Most of our team is returning next year (only six retirees) and we are aiming for a clean sweep of the awards in 2009.

Of course the big payoff for investing in an all star faculty is the fabulous students we attract. In 2008 the College of Arts & Sciences presented the first ever Dean's Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Student. This award was created to acknowledge a senior who has displayed outstanding academic achievement, as well as strong leadership, character, scholarship, and contributions to department and campus activities. The first winner, Cameron Harvey, graduated in May with both the BA and BS degrees and FOUR majors: history, philosophy, physics, and math. Cameron will be pursuing his Ph.D. in physics at Notre Dame. (For more on student honors, visit the Student Honors page)

Best wishes to you and your family for a safe and happy summer break.