Dr. Theresa M. Johnson, senior lecturer in English and a Troy University alumna, has received the University’s 2019 Faculty Senate Excellence Award.

The award was presented by Faculty Senate Vice President Dr. Rob Kruckeberg during the University’s annual Honors Convocation on the Troy Campus on Thursday night.

The Faculty Senate Excellence Award is presented annually to an outstanding lecturer or adjunct faculty member who demonstrates excellence in the areas of teaching, research and service. It was first presented in 2008.

Michael Orlofsky, professor of English and director of the University’s Creative Writing program, said Dr. Johnson fulfills all of the characteristics recognized by the award.

“Dr. Johnson is an active researcher, a dedicated and popular teacher, an active participant in department activities, and she participates widely in the life of the University,” Orlofsky said in his nomination of Johnson for the award. “She is a member of several state professional organizations, and she is a friendly and cheerful colleague.”

Orlofsky said Dr. Johnson has also consistently demonstrated her commitment to the University’s mission of internationalization.

“Dr. Johnson has been professionally active in the areas of Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) and English as a Second Language (ESL), having presented and attended at several state and regional conferences,” Orlofsky said. “Due to Troy University’s commitment to internationalization, programs in TESOL and ESL are foundational to our institution’s mission.”

Dr. Johnson’s devotion to Troy University and her willingness to go above and beyond made her worthy on the award, Orlofsky said.

“Dr. Johnson’s devotion to the institution continues undiminished – if anything, it may be stronger because her sphere of influence affects the hundreds of students who pass through her classroom,” he said. “Dr. Johnson seems to go that extra distance for the sake of her students and department.”