Recognizing teaching excellence, introducing new faculty

Barbara A. Schaal, PhD, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, hosts the annual Arts & Sciences reception to celebrate the start of a new academic year, introduce new faculty and present the David Hadas Teaching Award. Above, Schaal introduces this year’s Hadas award winner, George Pepe, PhD, professor of classics. Pepe, who has been on the faculty for nearly 50 years teaching Latin, Greek and other areas of classical studies, was recognized for his commitment to and excellence in teaching first-year undergraduates. Below, Rafia Zafar, PhD (left), professor of English, of African and African-American studies, and of American culture studies and associate dean for diversity and inclusiveness in the graduate school, and Carol Camp Yeakey, PhD (right), professor of education, of urban studies, of international and area studies and of American culture studies, chat with two new Arts & Sciences faculty members during the Sept. 9 reception in Holmes Lounge. They are Michelle A. Purdy, PhD (AB ’01, MA ’03), assistant professor of education, and Amber Jamilla Musser, PhD, assistant professor of women, gender and sexuality studies. Purdy and Musser are among the 29 new faculty hires in Arts & Sciences this academic year.  (Photos: Mary Butkus/Washington University)