FA C U LT Y | S TA F F F O C U S
Drennon cited as urban scholar/activist
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hristine Drennon, professor of sociology and anthropology and director of Trinity University’s urban studies program is the 2014 recipient of the Marilyn J. Gittell Activist Scholar Award by the Urban Affairs Association (UAA). As the recipient, Drennon delivered the plenary address at the UAA’s national conference in San Antonio March 21. Drennon’s research and activism have recently focused on the city’s East Side neighborhood. As research director for the Promise and Choice Neighborhood Planning
Grant for the City of San Antonio and for the Choice Neighborhood Implementation Project, she has focused her work on the relationship between education and community development. Drennon spearheaded an early initiative known as the Trinity Project, one of the early efforts that has led to the creation of a Promise Neighborhood Grant. Her community outreach, which includes establishing collaborative initiatives with various community agencies and school districts,
Christine Drennon demonstrates how scholars can build bridges of support and collaboration that make a difference in the lives of community residents.
University honors five for distinguished achievement
Matthew Stroud
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John Hermann
n early May, five Trinity faculty members were honored for distinguished achievement in service, teaching, advising, or research. Spanish professor Matthew Stroud was recognized for outstanding scholarship, research, and creative work. Political science professor John Hermann was lauded for his commitment and dedication to student advising, and geosciences professor Diane Smith received the award for distinguished professional, community, and University service. Two junior faculty members—Kyle Gillette, human communication and theatre, and Maria Paganelli, economics—were cited
Diane Smith
Kyle Gillette
for distinguished teaching and research. Stroud’s international reputation as a scholar of Renaissance and Baroque Spanish is based on three monographs, three edited volumes, one critical and six pedagogical editions of Spanish Baroque plays, one theatrical translation, one fully staged operas, 49 journal articles, 62 conference papers, and 16 scholarly reviews. Hermann approaches advising with a sympathetic ear, tough love when needed, and a real interest in knowing his advisees and what they want to do with their lives. Among her many contributions to the her profession,
Maria Pagnelli
community, and the University, Smith has chaired the committee to conduct the fiveyear review of the Academic Honor Code and co-chaired the planning committee for the CSI. Junior faculty members Gilette and Paganelli have quickly established themselves as outstanding teachers with impressive records of productions and publications in their respective fields. To read more, visit the news center at www.trinity.edu/news
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