2008 Woodie Awards
Psychology professor receives accolades
Ben Garbarek
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: Front Page
Allen McConnell, professor of psychology, was recently named the first Jim and Beth Lewis Endowed Professor.
"We wanted faculty with outstanding research and teaching," Miami President David Hodge said. "(McConnell) had the best, most well-rounded achieving record."
McConnell said becoming the first to receive the award left him speechless.
"I was utterly stunned," McConnell said. "It sounds corny to say this, but I was speechless. I'm tremendously honored and overwhelmed by the generosity (of the Lewis family)."
McConnell will receive $400,000 as part of the award to use toward research, his own salary or other professional activities such as travel expenses, student assistants and speakers, according to Hodge.
McConnell said that he is usually forced to be judicious about where he gives speeches or what meetings he can attend based on finances, but with this professorship those decisions will no longer be an issue.
"(The endowed professorship) will help me make sure if there's a conference, or some other scholarly meeting, that I can go to that," McConnell said.
The experimental social psychologist has taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses during his tenure at Miami ranging from social cognition to stereotyping.
"He's a very committed and accomplished scholar in social psychology," said Carl Paternite, chair of the psychology department. "He's a national leader in social psychology. He's very committed to students and offering engaged learning for students."
McConnell was also named Professor of the Year by psychology students in 2003 and 2004 and Honored Teacher in 2003 by Associated Student Government (ASG).
Jim Lewis, a 1963 Miami alumnus, and his wife Beth created the endowed professorship as part of the For Love and Honor campaign designed to develop support for faculty.
"What makes this one special is when we described (the endowed professorships) to the Lewises, (they) said, 'Sign me up, I'm ready,'" Hodge said. "They're that enthusiastic."
"We wanted faculty with outstanding research and teaching," Miami President David Hodge said. "(McConnell) had the best, most well-rounded achieving record."
McConnell said becoming the first to receive the award left him speechless.
"I was utterly stunned," McConnell said. "It sounds corny to say this, but I was speechless. I'm tremendously honored and overwhelmed by the generosity (of the Lewis family)."
McConnell will receive $400,000 as part of the award to use toward research, his own salary or other professional activities such as travel expenses, student assistants and speakers, according to Hodge.
McConnell said that he is usually forced to be judicious about where he gives speeches or what meetings he can attend based on finances, but with this professorship those decisions will no longer be an issue.
"(The endowed professorship) will help me make sure if there's a conference, or some other scholarly meeting, that I can go to that," McConnell said.
The experimental social psychologist has taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses during his tenure at Miami ranging from social cognition to stereotyping.
"He's a very committed and accomplished scholar in social psychology," said Carl Paternite, chair of the psychology department. "He's a national leader in social psychology. He's very committed to students and offering engaged learning for students."
McConnell was also named Professor of the Year by psychology students in 2003 and 2004 and Honored Teacher in 2003 by Associated Student Government (ASG).
Jim Lewis, a 1963 Miami alumnus, and his wife Beth created the endowed professorship as part of the For Love and Honor campaign designed to develop support for faculty.
"What makes this one special is when we described (the endowed professorships) to the Lewises, (they) said, 'Sign me up, I'm ready,'" Hodge said. "They're that enthusiastic."
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