West earns Career Achievement Award; 17 more lauded [+VIDEO]

Many people say they’re interested in history. MTSU professor Carroll Van West is laser-focused on helping others study, make and preserve it.

Director of the Center for Historic Preservation, a professor of history at MTSU since 1985 and the governor-appointed Tennessee State Historian since 2013, West is this year’s recipient of the MTSU Foundation’s Career Achievement Award, considered the pinnacle of recognition for stellar professors.

Dr. Carroll Van West, left, director of MTSU’s Center for Historic Preservation and the Tennessee State Historian, accepts the 2015 Career Achievement Award from university President Sidney A. McPhee, center, and MTSU Foundation President Kathy Jones at the Aug. 21 Fall Faculty Meeting in Tucker Theatre. West, a professor of history at MTSU since 1985, was one of 18 faculty members honored with the foundation’s annual awards for accomplishments inside and outside the classroom. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

West’s recognition came Friday, Aug. 21, at the university’s Fall Faculty Meeting. The event includes the annual presentation of the MTSU Foundation Awards, which recognize, celebrate and reward university faculty members for their accomplishments inside and outside the classroom.

“Stewardship, shared identity, purpose and community are not only the hallmarks of his work in Tennessee but also across the South and into the far West,” the MTSU Foundation leaders noted in the event program lauding West and his colleagues.

“Carroll Van West is the most worthy recipient of the 2015

Middle Tennessee State University Career Achievement Award.”

West, a native of Murfreesboro, is renowned nationwide for his work in 19th and 20th century Southern and Western history as well as architecture and material culture.

He works extensively with the National Register of Historic Places program on documentation projects, including properties like the Sullivan Jackson House in Selma, Alabama, and the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Top among his published works is the acclaimed Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture, and he continues as editor-in-chief of the encyclopedia’s website at http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net.

West first thanked retired history professor Dr. James Huhta.

“Jim started this program in historic preservation out of his own initiative and drive in 1974,” West told the crowd. “He built it into a national platform. It’s been my pleasure to guide that platform into the 21st century, but Jim laid the foundation.”

Dr. Carroll Van West

The professor then thanked his Center for Historic Preservation colleagues, whom he said “toil in the shadows” but are making a difference across the South and the nation.

West also expressed his gratitude to the hundreds of graduate students he has directed over the decades.

“If you ever wonder if graduate studies at MTSU is worth it, look at that group,” he said. “They’ve achieved great things. They’re a great group, and I’m so proud of what they do.”

MTSU alumna Kathy Jones (B.S. ’83), current president of the MTSU Foundation, also honored 17 more MTSU professors Friday for their achievements.

The six recipients of the foundation’s 2015 Outstanding Teacher Award are:

Dr. Mark E. Doyle, Department of History.
David E. Gore, Department of Engineering Technology.
Adam L. McInturff, Department of English.
Dr. Ahad S. Nasab, Department of Engineering Technology.
Dr. Jason L. Pettigrew, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.
Dr. Lisa M. Sheehan-Smith, Department of Human Sciences.

The 11 additional foundation award recipients for 2015 are:

Dr. Mary F. Magada-Ward, Department of Philosophy – Outstanding Teaching in General Education Award.
Drs. Marsha D. Barsky, Department of Theatre and Dance; Lisa B. Green, Department of Mathematical Sciences; and Scott N. McDaniel, Department of University Studies – Outstanding Achievement in Instructional Technology Awards.
Drs. Aleka A. Blackwell, Department of English; Kim Cleary Sadler, Department of Biology; and Maria L. Edlin, Department of Economics – Outstanding Public Service Awards.
Drs. Nancy Sloan Goldberg, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, and Dr. Philip E. Phillips, Department of English – Distinguished Research Awards.
Drs. Cyrille Magne, Department of Psychology, and Tammy Melton, Department of Chemistry – Special Projects Awards.

MTSU faculty members gather for a group photo with university leaders Aug. 21 after they were recognized by the MTSU Foundation for their service at the Fall Faculty Meeting inside Tucker Theatre. The 18 recipients and their 2015 honors include, front row from left, Lisa B. Green, Outstanding Achievement in Instructional Technology Award; Jason L. Pettigrew, Outstanding Teacher Award; Kim Cleary Sadler, Outstanding Public Service Award; Tammy Melton, Special Projects Award; Mary F. Magada-Ward, Outstanding Teaching in General Education Award; Maria L. Edlin, Outstanding Public Service Award; and Aleka A. Blackwell, Outstanding Public Service Award. Standing in the back row are, from left, Marsha D. Barsky, Outstanding Achievement in Instructional Technology Award; Nancy Sloan Goldberg, Distinguished Research Award; Philip E. Phillips, Distinguished Research Award; Mark Doyle, Outstanding Teacher Award; University Provost Brad Bartel; MTSU Foundation President Kathy Jones; Carroll Van West, Career Achievement Award; MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee; Scott N. McDaniel, Outstanding Achievement in Instructional Technology Award; Ahad S. Nasab, Outstanding Teacher Award; David Gore, Outstanding Teacher Award; Lisa M. Sheehan-Smith, Outstanding Teacher Award; Cyrille Magne, Special Projects Award; and Adam L. McInturff, Outstanding Teacher Award. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

As part of the university’s ongoing efforts to improve student retention and graduation rates, MTSU Provost Brad Bartel also acknowledged the top-notch work of 11 campus departments and programs during the special gathering. Those cited for their academic excellence included: