VCU professor awarded state’s highest faculty honor

By Mike Frontiero
VCU School of Education

Judyth Twigg, Ph.D., an associate professor of political science in Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, has been awarded the state’s highest honor for faculty at public and private colleges and universities in Virginia.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s 2005 Outstanding Faculty Awards were bestowed on Twigg and 11 other recipients at a State Capitol ceremony attended by members of the General Assembly. Following the ceremony in the Old Senate Chamber, they were formally introduced and recognized on the floors of the Senate and House of Delegates.

The awards celebrate the demonstrated record of superior accomplishments by faculty in teaching, research and public service. Each of the 12 received a $5,000 award and a commemorative statue from Dominion, which funds the awards program.

“Everyone benefits from the dedication and knowledge of these outstanding individuals – students, institutions of higher learning and the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Gov. Mark R. Warner said in a prepared statement.

Twigg teaches international relations, international political economy, politics of international aid, and politics of the former Soviet Union. Her research interests include Russia, international security, and international health care studies. She is often invited to speak before members of Congress and the World Affairs Councils of America.

“It’s an honor to represent the fine work of all VCU faculty, especially my colleagues in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs,” said Twigg.

This year's winners were selected from a highly competitive pool of 110 qualified candidates who were nominated by their peers at Virginia's institutions of higher education. Each institution is invited to participate in the program and is eligible to nominate a set number of candidates based upon the size of its faculty.

The awards program was established in 1986 by the governor and General Assembly. Since then, more than 200 college and university faculty have received this honor.

“This award recognizes the finest among Virginia’s faculty,” said SCHEV Executive Director Daniel J. LaVista.