SPIA Faculty, Staff and Students:

I am pleased to announce that three of our faculty members will receive University-wide teaching awards this year, and one will be recognized by the Georgia General Assembly:  

Christopher S. Allen, Associate Professor in the Department of International Affairs has been selected as a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor, the highest teaching award at the University of Georgia.  Allen joins Chuck Bullock, Loch Johnson, John Maltese and the late Susette Talarico as Meigs Professors in our School. I doubt that any other college or school at UGA has as many Meigs Professors as a percentage of its total faculty.

John A. Maltese, Professor in the Department of Political Science is the recipient of the 2008 Lothar Tresp Outstanding Honors Professor Award, recognizing his superior performance and dedication as a teacher in the UGA Honors Program. Maltese is a Meigs Professor, and in 2006 was selected as the CASE Professor of the Year for the State of Georgia. In July, he will become the next Head of the Department of Political Science.

Teena Wilhelm, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science is the recipient of the 2008 J. Hatten Howard, III Teaching Award, recognizing a faculty member who exhibits outstanding performance in his or her first year as a faculty member in the Honors Program.  

On March 5th, the Georgia Senate will adopt a resolution recognizing Chuck Bullock’s career contributions to scholarship and teaching on the legislative process and southern politics. The resolution has been drafted by several of his former students now serving as staff members or elected members of the Georgia Senate.

I believe that being a student today in the School of Public and International Affairs means having the opportunity to study with several of the finest teachers at the University of Georgia.

Please join me in congratulating each of these individuals for their outstanding contributions to our School.

Thomas P. Lauth
February 28, 2008