On October 20, 2023, two faculty and two staff members were awarded the 2023 Outstanding Faculty and Staff Awards. This year’s ceremony was hosted at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center and facilitated by the Acting Dean of the Bush School, Dr. Frank B. Ashley III.
Winners are chosen based on nominations from peers, supervisors, and a selection committee. Nominees must demonstrate dedication to their work, strong teamwork, enthusiasm for customer service, and professionalism.
The recipients of the 2023 faculty awards were Professor Christine S. Lipsmeyer and Professor Brian S. Nakamura.
Professor Lipsmeyer is a professor in the Political Science Department. Her research is at the intersection of public policy, political economy, and political institutions. Her current work answers questions about the political mechanisms in the broader budgetary and public policy arenas.
Professor Nakamura joined the Department of Public Service and Administration as an assistant professor of the Practice in September 2019. Now, he is an associate professor of the practice, and his research interests include the “fiscalization” of land use and the social and economic impacts on sustainable communities as well as public finance and budgeting, taxation, and equity.
The recipients of the 2023 staff awards were Denise Parker and Douglas Thornton.
Denise Parker is an administrative associate at the Center for Nonprofits and Philanthropy. Volunteering is also part of her schedule. She currently is on the Development Council for the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and the Board for the Texas A&M University Women’s Club as scholarship chair. She delivers Meals on Wheels and serves as secretary for the Friends of the Bryan College Station Libraries Board.
Douglas Thornton, an assistant department head at the Bush School, received his M.P.A. in 1994 and his Ph.D. in 1998, both from Texas A&M University. He taught political science for over a decade as a faculty member, serving at both the College Station and Doha, Qatar campuses. In 2013, Douglas transitioned from faculty to a member of the departmental staff. Since then, he has served as the assistant department head for the Department of Political Science. In this role, he has worked with fellow staff, faculty, and students to support the mission of the department.
Congratulations to the winners!
