More than 1,000 members of the CNU community gathered to celebrate academic and teaching excellence at the 31st Convocation for the Conferral of Honors and Awards. The ceremony, held at the Ferguson Center for the Arts the day before the Conferral of Degrees, recognized graduating seniors who earned Latin Honors and faculty who achieved promotions or tenure.

As part of academic tradition, the ceremony opened with Professor Jay S. Paul, senior faculty member and director of the Honors Program, carrying the University Mace onto the stage. The investiture was followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Choral Music Education and Vocal Performance major, Grace Farris ‘27.

President William G. Kelly praised students for their accomplishments and thanked the faculty for their dedication to providing outstanding teaching, mentorship, and research opportunities.

“We are here to officially recognize the truly outstanding academic achievements of our accomplished students and our amazing faculty. We will honor those graduating seniors who have performed at the very highest levels of academic excellence throughout their time at Christopher Newport,” said Kelly. “We will also celebrate those members of our faculty who have reached important milestones in their careers. Our faculty and our students - and every member of our community - are truly anchored in excellence.”

President Kelly presented the Gregory Klich Academic Achievement Award, the highest recognition of academic excellence at Christopher Newport, to Alyssa Dozier ‘26. The Klich Award is presented to a student who has completed at least 120 credits, earned the highest number of credits from CNU, and maintained a 4.0 GPA.

“Alyssa has double majored in political science and history. She’s in the honors program, a member of our pre-law program, and has completed undergraduate research. While incredibly dedicated in the classroom, she is also one of the most decorated volleyball players in CNU history,” said President Kelly. “She is the first player in any sport at Christopher Newport to be named first team, Academic All-American of the Year, three times. She is the first Division 3 athlete in the history of the NCAA to ever accomplish this while participating in volleyball. Alyssa is the epitome of what it means to be a Captain.”

Faculty Honors

Dr. David M. Pollio, Associate Professor of Classical Languages, was remembered at the ceremony as a “vital and vibrant force within the Christopher Newport community,” whose passion for experiential learning and teaching has left a lasting impact on generations of Captains. In recognition of his extraordinary service for a life of teaching, scholarship, and unwavering kindness, the University posthumously conferred upon him the title of Associate Professor Emeritus. The honor was accepted by his wife, Heidi, children Max and Sophie, and his father, Gerald, as the audience rose for an extended standing ovation.

Rector Christy Morton ‘01, representing the Board of Visitors, awarded promotion, tenure, emerita, and emeritus status to select faculty members.

“You are unwavering in your dedication to continual learning. Through your scholarship and teaching, you advance knowledge. Our students are grateful that you so willingly share your time and generously offer your support and encouragement. Our alumni–and I am one of them–continually tell us that they excel in their professions because you prepared them so superbly.”

The faculty is organized into ranks: Instructor, Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Master Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Full Professor, and Distinguished Professor.

“Promotion is the result of a careful peer review of a candidate’s teaching, scholarship, campus and professional service records,” said Provost Quentin Kidd. “The process of earning tenure generally lasts six years, during which time the candidate is periodically evaluated on their teaching, research, and service by their faculty peers. It is a distinction signified by the medallion presented here today.”

Dr. William M. Donaldson, assistant professor of management, was the distinguished keynote speaker for the ceremony. In his remarks, Donaldson urged students to surround themselves with people who will help them reach their full potential.

“Look around this scene and reflect on your time on this campus. There are people here who carried you when you needed to be carried, challenged you when you needed to be challenged, criticized you when you needed to be criticized, inspired you when you needed inspiration, and cajoled you when you needed to be cajoled. Recreate this. Hang with a tough crowd in your future,” said Donaldson. “ Surround yourself with people who will expect a lot from you and challenge you to grow. People who expect a lot from you are paying you a compliment. “

Leadership Studies professor Dr. Benjamin Redekop was selected as the recipient of the 2026 Alumni Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring, which recognizes not only exceptional commitment to teaching and learning but also to University citizenship.

Kelsey L. Fleshman ‘14, Vice President of the Christopher Newport Alumni Society Board, presented the award. “Professor Redekop’s commitment to sustainability is not just something he teaches, but something he lives quite literally every day. For 17 years, he has never purchased a parking pass, choosing instead to bike to campus, year after year, an enduring 2-wheel testament to consistency, conviction, and quiet leadership.”

Latin Honors that include cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude were awarded to students by President Kelly, Rector Morton, Provost Kidd, and Dr. Paul.

The list of faculty members who have been promoted, granted tenure, and awarded emerita and emeritus status is as follows:

Promotion to Senior Lecturer

• Laura Lloyd, B.A., M.F.A., Lecturer of Music, Theatre, and Dance
• Elizabeth J. Wood, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Lecturer of History

Promotion to Master Lecturer

• Jaime D. Harris, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Senior Lecturer of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology
• William D. Knight, B.S., M.S., Ph.D., Senior Lecturer of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science
• Sara T. Lenhart, B.S., M.Ed., Ed.D., Senior Lecturer of Mathematics
• Dmitry V. Liskin, B.S., Ph.D., Senior Lecturer of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science
• Denise C. Tombolato-Terzic, B.Sc., M.S., Ph.D., Senior Lecturer of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science

Tenure

• Emre Kirac, B.S.T.E., M.S.I.S.E., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Management
• Timothy M. Pressley, B.S., M.Ed., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology

Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor

• Frank W. Garmon Jr., B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Leadership and American Studies
• Kyle R. Garton-Gundling, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of English
• John W. Irving, B.M., M.M., D.M.A., Assistant Professor of Music, Theatre, and Dance
• David J. Roaché, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Communication
• Jane E. Rochmes, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology
• Andrew M. Rose, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of English
• Anna M. Salazar, B.S., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science
• Chris Tweedt, B.A., M.A., M.A., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion

Promotion to Full Professor

• Kathryn E. Cole, B.S., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science
• John C. Finn, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology

Promotion to Distinguished Professor

• Tarek M. Abdel-Fattah, B.S., M.S., Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science

The Awarding of Emerita and Emeritus Status

• Robert B. Hasbrouck, B.A., M.S., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Management
• Mark W. Padilla, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures
• David M. Pollio, B.A., M.A., M.A., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures
• Jonathan W. White, B.A., MA., Ph.D., Professor of Leadership Studies
• Mary E. Wright, B.A., MA., Ph.D., Associate Professor of English