UW College of Arts and Sciences Celebrates Award Recipients

The University of Wyoming College of Arts and Sciences recently held its annual awards banquet, honoring current and former faculty members, as well as alumni.

The event is held each May to honor the tradition and history of excellence in the College of Arts and Sciences and to celebrate current individuals within the college. Before the ceremony, the Student Jazz Quartet -- featuring Sean Clark, of Gillette; Trisha Cates, of Torrington; and Alex Bryan and Ryan Emmett Larsen, both of Casper -- performed.

Dean Scott Turpen handed out awards that recognized outstanding alumni; outstanding former faculty; extraordinary merit in teaching and research; and the Beatrice Gallatin Beuf Golden Apple Award.

“This year’s award recipients come from across the College of Arts and Sciences,” Turpen says. “Their dedication to superb teaching and cutting-edge scholarship and creative activity exemplifies the spirit of excellence we strive for in our academic community.”

This year’s College of Arts and Sciences’ award recipients are:

Outstanding Alumni Awards

Christina Hassija, who earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from UW in 2011, was recognized with an Outstanding Alumni Award. During her time at UW, she earned the John P. Ellbogen Outstanding Graduate Assistant Teaching Award. After graduating, Hassija completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Center for PTSD at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center and Stanford University, centered on the implementation and dissemination of evidence-based psychotherapies for post-traumatic stress disorder.

She was hired as an assistant professor at California State University-San Bernadino in 2013. Hassija became chair of the Department of Psychology in 2020, and she then became dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences in 2023. Her passion lies in creating opportunities for and mentorship to students from diverse ethnic, social and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Jean Garrison, who also received an Outstanding Alumni Award, earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from UW in 1990, graduating with honors. After completing her Ph.D. at the University of South Carolina and teaching at Boston University, she returned to UW in 2000 as a faculty member in political science and international studies.

Since then, she has served in many roles at UW, including as director of the International Studies Program, the Center for Global Studies, the Office of Engagement and Outreach and the Malcolm Wallop Civic Engagement Program. Her international research in American foreign policy, energy security and U.S.-China relations has led to several books, articles and international fellowships.

Her work in civic engagement focuses on creating partnerships across all levels of education in Wyoming to promote greater understanding of civics and public service in Wyoming. Garrison has won various awards, including the Outstanding Merit in Research and Advising Award, Mortar Board Top Prof Award and the UW Presidential Stewardship Award.

Outstanding Former Faculty Award

Oliver Walter, who received the Outstanding Former Faculty Award, joined the UW Department of Political Science in 1970 with concentrations in American government and survey research. After serving as department head for eight years, he became dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1989 and held this position until his retirement in 2013. During this time, he led the college’s 28 departments and seven programs.

In addition to awards that included Pi Sigma Alpha Outstanding Political Science Professor, Mortar Board Top Professor and the service award from UW’s International Board of Advisers, Walter championed public outreach, service and collaboration. He recognized the importance of international relationships and established student and faculty exchanges with Taiwan and China. A hallmark of his legacy continues with the Wyoming Election Survey, providing data biannually since 1972 on Wyoming citizens’ political perspectives and voting patterns.

Walter earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1972, as well as his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Washington State University in 1966 and 1964, respectively.

Extraordinary Merit in Teaching Awards

-- Adam Blackler, Department of History.

-- Catherine Hartmann, Department of Philosophy and Religion.

-- Christina McDonnell, Department of Psychology.

-- Valerie Pexton, Department of English.

-- Jamie Snyder, Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology.

Extraordinary Merit in Research Awards

-- Briana Doering, Department of Anthropology.

-- Melissa Morris, Department of History.

-- Nancy Small, Department of English.

-- Kasey Stanton, Department of Psychology.

-- Clair Uding, Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology.

Beatrice Gallatin Beuf Golden Apple Award

-- Daniel Auerbach, Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology.

“Congratulations to all of the award recipients,” Turpen says. “Their achievements inspire us all and reflect the breadth of excellence within our college.”

For more information about this event, email the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office at asdean1@uwyo.edu.