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Accolades

From the Departments

Catch up on some recent news from our academic units

A student walks across the Court of North Carolina

Department of Communication

Professor Emeritus Ed Funkhouser is a well-known figure in the Department of Communication. From his more than 45 years of teaching, Funkhouser has left an impact that will be felt for many years to come. To honor his accomplishments, the Funkhouser family recently created the Dr. Edward T. Funkhouser Excellence in Communication Endowment.

Chenxing Xie, a Ph.D. candidate in the Communication, Rhetoric and Digital Media Program, conducted research on the rise in tweets using the “#StopAsianHate” hashtag.

Department of English

Jason Swarts has been named head of the Department of English, effective July 1. Swarts currently serves as associate head, director of undergraduate programs, director of undergraduate advising and professor of English.

English professor Tim Stinson partnered with faculty from the College of Veterinary Medicine to search for genetic clues from old manuscripts. Through the project, the researchers gained valuable insight into medieval life including agricultural history, economics and more.

Department of History

Traci B. Voyles has been named head of the Department of History, effective July 1. Voyles comes from the University of Oklahoma, where she serves as professor and chair of women’s and gender studies.

NC State history professor David Ambaras and assistant professor Kristen Alff both earned National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships. Each received $60,000 to research and write books.

Interdisciplinary Studies

International studies and mathematics student Savannah Kashig spent part of her winter break in Saudi Arabia. While there, she and her peers connected with students from King Abdulaziz University.

Denis M. Provencher will become associate dean for interdisciplinary affairs and partnerships, effective July 1. Provencher is joining the college from the University of Arizona, where he currently serves as professor of French and Francophone studies.

Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies

The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies celebrated World Philosophy Day by hosting speaker Craig Callender, professor of philosophy at the University of California San Diego.

Philosophy and biochemistry major Sophie Korenek was awarded the Philosophy Prize in Honor of Professor Robert S. Bryan for her work on developing a course meant to help students learn critical thinking skills.

Department of Psychology

Professor of Psychology Mary Haskett received the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for Excellence, the highest honor given by NC State and the university’s Board of Trustees. She will be honored at the spring commencement ceremony.

Psychology senior Megan Minor has found a variety of ways to help others during her time at NC State. For the past three years, she has worked as a writing consultant and peer supervisor in the Academic Success Center.

School of Public and International Affairs

Jaz Bryant, a senior majoring in political science and science, technology and society, presented her research regarding issues in modern elections at the State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium.

Seven NC State political science students are serving as legislative interns this semester. These students, along with scholars from other universities, are taking part in a 30 hour per week internship in either the North Carolina House or Senate.

School of Social Work

Wallace Driggers will graduate this spring with her MSW from NC State and her JD from Campbell Law School. She is the first JD/MSW student to graduate from the dual degree program.

Senior social work major Lauren Bradley has worked alongside fellow students to become Mental Health Ambassadors. These students work to provide mental health outreach and advocacy on campus.

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Andrea M. Leverentz has been named head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, effective July 1. Leverentz currently serves as a professor of sociology at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

A collaboration between anthropologist Julie Wesp and the College of Design has resulted in an effort to bring a Colombian church to life. By creating a 3D model of the church, classes can explore the iconic facility while in the classroom.

Department of World Languages and Cultures

NC State’s Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures has officially changed its name to the Department of World Languages and Cultures. This change will align the department closer with its departmental goals.

Along with a new name, the Department of World Languages and Cultures has named Jim Michnowicz as the head of the program, effective July 1. Michnowicz has been with the college since 2006.