The University of Tennessee System and University of Tennessee at Martin honored six local faculty members during UT Martin’s annual Honors Day ceremony April 7.

Dr. Anderson Starling, assistant professor of political science, received the UT Martin Coffey Outstanding Teaching Award for excellence in the classroom. Starling has worked with the university since 2014 and is a current member of the American, Midwest and Southern political science associations. He holds both a bachelor’s degree in communications and a doctoral degree in political science from the University of Alabama.

Dr. Laura Brown, professor of health and human performance, and Dr. James Smart, professor of biology, both received UT Martin Cunningham Outstanding Teacher/Scholar Awards. Brown started working with UT Martin in 1993 and is also the spring 2019 Featured Faculty Scholar. She holds a bachelor’s degree from UT Martin, a master’s degree from Murray State University, and both education specialist and doctoral degrees from Union University.

Smart has worked with the university since 2005 and was awarded the UT Martin Reagan Faculty Leave Award to pursue outside research in 2017. He holds both bachelor’s and doctoral degrees from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

Dr. Angela Ammerman, assistant professor of music, received the UT Martin Outstanding Academic Advisor Award for 2019. She began working with UT Martin in 2017 and is also director of the music education program and the UT Martin string orchestra. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, a master’s degree from Boston University and a doctoral degree from George Mason University.

Jason Stout, associate professor of art, and Dr. Danny Walker, associate professor of animal science, both received Outstanding UTAA Teacher Awards. These awards are given by the University of Tennessee Alumni Association each year. Stout began teaching at UT Martin in 2005 and has artwork displayed in public and private collections across the country, including at the University of West Georgia, Jacksonville State University and UT Martin. His work is represented by REM Gallery in San Antonio, Texas. Stout holds a bachelor’s degree from UT Martin and a master’s degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Walker has taught at UT Martin since 2012 following 32 years in small-animal veterinary practice. He is currently serving as president of the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association and is the lead professor in the UT Martin veterinary health technology program. Walker holds a bachelor’s degree from UT Martin and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University.

For more information, contact the UT Martin Office of University Relations at 731-881-7615.
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