The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has recognized five exemplary educators as its Eminent Faculty class.
The UL Lafayette Foundation sponsors the annual awards. They are the highest recognition the University confers on faculty. Established in 1965, the awards honor educators for their research, teaching effectiveness, and contributions to their professions and to campus life.
“For over 60 years, the Eminent Faculty Awards have celebrated faculty whose commitment to students, scholarship and service sets the standard for excellence at the University,” said John Blohm, the Foundation’s CEO. “This year’s honorees are no exception. They embody the ideals that guide our mission and the academic strength present throughout our campus. We are excited and proud to recognize this outstanding group of educators.”
Dr. Rafael Hernández and Dr. Beth Stauffer are the Distinguished Professor Award honorees. The award recognizes faculty for their research accomplishments, teaching effectiveness and contributions to their profession and campus life.
The Dr. Ray P. Authement Excellence in Teaching Award is named for the University’s fifth president. It has recognized faculty commitment to teaching and innovation since 1992.
Recipients are Penny Powell and Dr. Douglas Williams.
The Leadership Service Award recipient is Dr. Philip Auter. The award honors a faculty member who combines service-learning with classroom instruction to forge skills and knowledge that students can apply to community leadership opportunities.
The University selects the honorees based on recommendations from a faculty committee. Each recipient receives a $5,000 stipend. The Eminent Faculty class will be honored with a ceremony on Feb. 13.
Profiles of the recipients follow.
Distinguished Professor Award Honorees
Dr. Rafael Hernández is a professor and chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering and interim head of the Department of Petroleum Engineering in the College of Engineering. He is also associate director of the Energy Institute of Louisiana and director of the Chemicals and Fuels Development Center.
Hernández holds the J. Madison Nelson Board of Regents Professorship in Chemical Engineering as well as the Contractors Educational Trust Board of Regents Professorship in Petroleum Engineering.
Hernández’s research has enabled advancements in the fields of chemical and petroleum engineering, including research exploring the ability to convert wastewater into sustainable sources of biofuel.
His research and leadership have advanced collaborations across academia, industry and government, supporting the development of sustainable technologies and workforce-ready graduates. His commitment to student success has resulted in the development of new courses, virtual reality laboratories and a seminar series for undergraduates focusing on professional development.
Dr. Beth Stauffer is an associate professor of biology in the School of Biological Sciences in the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences. She holds the SLEMCO Board of Regents Professorship in Science II.
Stauffer is nationally regarded for her research investigating how changes in aquatic environments – driven by human impacts, changing climate and extreme events – affect phytoplankton communities and the food webs that rely on them. Her work also directly impacts the state of Louisiana and its coastal ecology and economy, including research in conjunction with state government agencies to develop low-salinity tolerant populations of Louisiana oysters.
Stauffer is a dedicated student mentor. She led the Research Experiences for Undergraduates, or REU, program at the University. Funded by the National Science Foundation, it supported active research participation by undergraduates. She has also mentored numerous graduate students who have made their own research contributions.
Ray P. Authement Excellence in Teaching Award Honorees
Penny Powell is master instructor of microbiology and lab coordinator in the School of Biological Sciences in the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
She joined the University faculty in 1985 and has taught thousands of students, striving to instill curiosity and the value of lifelong learning. Beyond the classroom, Powell has served students as an academic advisor, receiving the Outstanding Advisor Award numerous times.
Throughout her career, she has been acknowledged for embracing new technologies and innovative practices. She has obtained numerous certifications in online education. Her course instruction has been recognized at the highest level, with one of her courses gaining a Quality Matters certification, a national recognition of online course design excellence.
In addition, Powell has served as both a facilitator and a member of multiple Faculty Learning Communities, empowering fellow faculty members to strengthen and enhance instructional practices across campus.
Dr. Douglas Williams is a professor in the Department of Educational Curriculum & Instruction and director of the Center for Innovative Learning and Assessment Technology in the College of Education & Human Development. He holds the Haig/Board of Regents Professorship in Education I and is a previous recipient of the Distinguished Professor Award.
In the classroom, Williams creates learning experiences that prepare students for future K–12 classrooms. His courses explore creativity and innovation through coding, robotics, design thinking and engineering design.
Williams also serves as co-chair of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Learning Lab, an initiative to establish a laboratory school that prepares future educators while advancing educational innovation. In addition, he has collaborated with education professionals to develop ChangeMaker K12, a curated collection of thinking routines, hands-on design challenges and communication exercises that support instructional innovation.
Beyond campus, Williams mentors students through FIRST LEGO League robotics challenges.
Leadership Service Award Honoree
Dr. Philip Auter is professor of communication and graduate program coordinator in the Department of Communication in the College of Liberal Arts. He is a past recipient of the Dr. Ray P. Authement Excellence in Teaching Award and holds the Hubert Bourgeois Endowed Professorship in Communication.
Service-learning has been a cornerstone of Auter’s teaching during his time at the University. Courses he has designed have given students the opportunity to collaborate with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Bayou Vermilion District, among other organizations. These courses provide students with practical work experience while also resulting in meaningful community impact.
Through these experiences, Auter hopes to inspire students to continue serving their communities. He has also mentored students through international collaboration with the USAID Middle East Partnership Initiative, enabling students to engage in cross-cultural research and present their work at global conferences.
Photo caption: Eminent Faculty Award honorees from left are Dr. Rafael Hernández, Dr. Beth Stauffer, Penny Powell, Dr. Douglas Williams and Dr. Philip Auter.