Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

The baby直播 has presented two long-term faculty members emeritus honors upon their retirement. Dr. Tina N. Jones has been named Vice President Emerita, and Dr. Alan Brown has been named Professor Emeritus. The two were recognized at the University鈥檚 Employee Recognition Ceremony at the end of the spring semester.

Dr. Alan Brown
After 40 years of service to students, colleagues, and the discipline, Dr. Alan Brown retired from UWA in May 2026, earning the status of Professor of Emeritus of English and Folklore.

In his nomination letter, Dr. Kendrick Prewitt, Chair of the Department of English & History, noted that over Brown鈥檚 40 years at UWA, he made his mark through his passion for teaching American literature and composition to generations of students, his 34-year stewardship of the UWA Writing Center, and his extensive research into ghost lore and regional folklore.

Prewitt also noted that Brown is a rare example of a scholar who has successfully translated academic scholarship for broader public audiences through book clubs, public libraries, senior centers, radio broadcasts, podcasts, and cemetery history reenactments.

Known for meeting deadlines, efficiently handling administrative responsibilities, and traveling frugally on departmental funds, Brown has received the McIlwain Bell Trustees Faculty Award twice and the Nellie McCrory Faculty Service Award. Prewitt described him as setting a consistent standard for the College of Liberal Arts.

Brown has published more than 20 books and numerous articles on ghost lore and folklore, his primary area of interest. His scholarly work also spans the history of Sumter County, composition pedagogy, gothic literature, and studies of authors including Poe, Hemingway, Faulkner, and Twain.

He is well known on campus and beyond for his ghost tours, distinctive mustache, homemade brownies, daily peanut butter and jelly lunches, and his large looping lecture notes handwriting.

Dr. Tina Naremore Jones
Dr. Tina Naremore Jones, a longtime professor of English, retired from UWA as Provost on September 30 after 38 years at the institution, earning the status of Vice President Emerita of Academic Affairs.

In her nomination letter, Jones was recognized for decades of leadership and service to the university, first as a student, then faculty member, and later in multiple leadership roles, including Vice President of Economic Workforce Development and then as Provost, becoming the first woman at UWA to be named vice president and first to serve as provost. Over the years, she played an integral role in shaping the University鈥檚 academic programs, strengthened its outreach, and helped define what it means for the institution to serve not only its students, but the entire region.

It was also noted that Jones consistently “led with intention, listening carefully and leading thoughtfully.” Her nomination letter described her conduct as “marked by a level of grace and integrity that is rare, setting a standard not only for leadership, but for how people are treated.”

鈥淭ina believed in this place, and it鈥檚 people,鈥� said Provost, Dr. Amy Jones during the recognition ceremony. 鈥淧eople often assumed we were related鈥攁nd in many ways that never felt entirely wrong, because she had that kind of lasting, personal impact on so many of us at UWA. That impact will be felt for generations鈥攊n our programs, across this campus, and in the lives of the students and communities we serve.鈥�

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Story: Lisa Sollie

UWA elementary education program achieves top marks in new report from the National Council on Teacher Quality 

The baby直播鈥檚 undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program in the Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education has received an A+ from the (NCTQ) for its excellence in preparing future elementary teachers to teach reading effectively.

The report, , published on June 9, spotlights the baby直播 for meeting the standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction. Specifically, this means the program is preparing aspiring teachers in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary, and avoids many instructional practices that research has shown to be ineffective or counterproductive for teaching children to read.

鈥淭his recognition reflects our deep commitment to preparing future teachers with the knowledge, practice, and confidence they need to teach reading effectively from day one,鈥� said Dr. Cheryl Lambert, College of Education dean. 鈥淪trong literacy instruction changes the trajectory of a child鈥檚 academic life, and we are proud that our elementary education program is grounded in research-based practices that support teachers, schools, and the students they serve.鈥�

UWA鈥檚 elementary education program prepares teacher candidates through coursework, field experiences, and clinical practice designed to connect research-based instruction with the real needs of classrooms. The program emphasizes evidence-based literacy practices, strong partnerships with schools, and preparation for teaching in rural and diverse educational settings across baby直播 and beyond.

鈥淓very child deserves a teacher who has been well prepared to teach reading, and every teacher deserves the opportunity to enter the classroom ready to help students succeed,鈥� said NCTQ President Heather Peske. 鈥淎cross the country, many teacher preparation programs still do not fully align with the science of reading, but baby直播 is demonstrating what strong preparation can look like.鈥�

NCTQ鈥檚 methodology is informed by a panel of reading experts, teacher preparation faculty, reading advocates, and measurement experts. To evaluate the quality of preparation being provided, a team of experts at NCTQ analyzed syllabi, including lecture schedules and topics, background reading materials, class assessments, assignments, and opportunities to practice instruction in required literacy courses for elementary teacher candidates at UWA. 

To earn an 鈥淎,鈥� programs must demonstrate that coursework for future elementary teachers includes all five core components of scientifically based reading instruction and avoid teaching more than three instructional methods that are unsupported by the research on effective reading instruction. Earning an A+, indicates that programs exceed those targets and do not teach any instructional practices that are unsupported by research.

NCTQ is a nonpartisan research and policy organization dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to effective teachers. NCTQ believes a strong, diverse teacher workforce is critical for providing all students with equitable educational opportunities.

Learn more about UWA鈥檚 nationally recognized teacher preparation program.

See NCTQ鈥檚 report, for more information about the baby直播鈥檚 coverage of the science of reading and to see how UWA compares to other programs in baby直播 or across the country.

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

After nearly 25 years of teaching mathematics at the baby直播, Kim Giles has earned one of the institution鈥檚 highest honors for classroom instruction.

During UWA鈥檚 spring commencement exercises held May 7-8, Giles received the 2026 William E. Gilbert Award for Outstanding Teaching, the honor awarded annually by the student body in recognition of excellence in undergraduate classroom instruction.

After graduating from the University of baby直播 with a degree in industrial engineering, Giles eventually returned to her hometown of Livingston, where she found her calling in the classroom.

鈥淚t鈥檚 such a huge honor to have been nominated and recognized this way,鈥� Giles said. 鈥淚鈥檓 very thankful and grateful that I get to go to work every day, and not feel like it鈥檚 a job, but something I was meant to do.鈥�

Beyond her classroom responsibilities, Giles also serves as the College of Natural Science and Mathematics coordinator and liaison for the UWA Teach program, the STEM education initiative launched by the University in 2023. This program gives STEM majors an opportunity to explore teaching as a career path to see if it鈥檚 right for them.

鈥淚鈥檓 the connection between NSM and the College of Education,鈥� Giles explained. 鈥淚 not only look out for NSM students who are in UWA Teach, but if I have a math or science student who I think would be a good fit for the program, I encourage them to pursue it. I鈥檇 rather students find out early if teaching isn鈥檛 for them rather than when they鈥檙e finishing up their degree.鈥�

Outside the classroom, Giles volunteers with the Wesley Foundation alongside director Elizabeth Stone.

鈥淚鈥檓 there every Monday and Thursday evenings when they have Bible studies, helping feed the students and fellowship with them,鈥� she said.  鈥淚t鈥檚 one of my greatest joys each week.鈥�

Though Giles once considered retiring after reaching the 25-year milestone, she now says she has no plans to step away from the work she loves.

鈥淕od put me here for a reason鈥攖o teach and encourage my students every day,鈥� Giles said. 鈥淚 always tell them, 鈥榊ou got this, and you got to believe.鈥� I鈥檓 happy, and I enjoy my work, so until the day comes that I don鈥檛 enjoy it anymore, I鈥檓 going to keep showing up and doing what He called me to do.鈥�

As the recipient of the Gilbert Award, Giles will serve as macebearer and lead the faculty processional at the University鈥檚 commencement exercises in August, December, and again next May.

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