University Women’s Commission honors employees, presents scholarships to students

April 18, 2014 | News, UToday, — Languages, Literature and Social Sciences, Engineering
By Vicki L. Kroll



Two UT employees were recognized last week for their excellent service to the campus community at the 28th annual Outstanding Women’s Award ceremony.

Sandy Stewart, left, and Dr. Sharon Barnes received the 2014 Dr. Alice Skeens Outstanding Woman Award.

Sandy Stewart, left, and Dr. Sharon Barnes received the 2014 Dr. Alice Skeens Outstanding Woman Award.

About 55 people attended the University Women’s Commission program, which was held Wednesday in the Savage Arena Joe Grogan Room.

There were two recipients of the Dr. Alice Skeens Outstanding Woman Award: Dr. Sharon Barnes, associate professor in the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, and Sandy Stewart, assistant resource manager in the College of Engineering.

Barnes received a doctoral degree from UT in 1998 and joined the faculty in 2001 as an assistant professor of interdisciplinary and special studies programs. She was promoted to associate professor in 2007, and joined the Women’s and Gender Studies Department in 2010. Barnes serves on Faculty Senate and with the UT chapter of the American Association of University Professors. In addition, she has been involved with the Take Back the Night event since 1994 and serves on the University LGBTQA Advisory Board. In 2010, she received the UT Outstanding Teacher Award.

“Her courses are among the handful on campus that bring women’s issues to the forefront, both in content history and literature, and in the process of research,” one nominator wrote. “She has published on a veritable who’s who of important feminist thinkers/activists in American history, including Angelina Grimké, Cherrie Moraga, Harriet Jacobs, Charlotte Grimké, Margaret Sanger and Mercedes Gilbert, as well as on topics, including women’s spirituality, pornography, privilege and censorship.”

Lauren Marshall, left, and Mollie Scholl were awarded University Women’s Commission scholarships.

Lauren Marshall, left, and Mollie Scholl were awarded University Women’s Commission scholarships.

Stewart joined the University staff in 2001. She is responsible for scheduling and coordinating the use of College of Engineering facilities for UT and community events, including commencement ceremonies, design expos and area high school graduations.

“This was the first year that I got to work with Sandy, and she helped me out tremendously,” one nominator wrote. “She never hesitated to answer my strange questions or to help with the logistics of the programs. We could not have done it without her skills and patience. Her dedication to all types of diversity shined through in each of these programs.” Another noted, “Even before I got to work with Sandy, I heard how wonderful she was from many engineering students. She is always supportive and helpful for students, and she is eager to help them succeed. Sandy is the type of person who lifts up everyone around here. She is a wonderful representative for the University.”

The University Women’s Commission also presented $1,000 scholarships to two students. Receiving awards based on academic achievement, support of women’s and gender issues, and campus and community involvement were Lauren Marshall, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, and Mollie Scholl, a sophomore with a double major in business marketing and management.

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