2026 Faculty and Staff Honors Convocation
On March 2, the Assembly Hall at Baptist Health Sciences University was filled with faculty, staff, and students for the 2026 Faculty & Staff Honors Convocation. The annual ceremony celebrates the exceptional achievements of faculty and staff in scholarly, professional, and community service areas.
Dr. Hampton Hopkins, President of Baptist University, opened the convocation with warm remarks and presided over the program. We were honored to hear this year’s featured address from Dr. Christina Davis, the 2025 Rose Temple Distinguished Faculty recipient. Followed by special speakers highlighting areas of accomplishments in scholarship, research, publications, community and professional service. Faculty and staff who had completed either a doctorate or a master’s degree were recognized along with those receiving promotions in the past year.
President Dr. Hampton Hopkins had the honor of announcing and congratulating Dr. Abby Kurtz, Associate Professor of Health Professions, as the 2026 Rose Temple Distinguished Faculty recipient and Mary Margaret Freeman, Coaching Services Supervisor of the Blue Healer Student Success Center, as the 2026 Rose Temple Distinguished Staff recipient. These awards honor outstanding commitment to teaching, service, and the mission of Baptist University. Dr. Felicia Dillard was recognized as the 2026 Rose Temple Distinguished Adjunct Faculty.
President Dr. Hampton Hopkins and Dr. Abby Kurtz
Dr. Felicia Dillard and President Dr. Hampton Hopkins
Mary Freeman and President Dr. Hampton Hopkins
Dr. Cherie Didier, Assistant Professor of Nursing, was congratulated as the 2026 DAISY Award recipient by Dr. Cathy Stepter, Dean of Nursing. This award was created in 1999 by the family of Patrick Barnes to honor nurses for their compassion, kindness, and clinical excellence. The DAISY award, which stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, honors faculty for their dedication and motivation to students and the nursing profession.
Dr. Cherie Didier
Congratulations to all honorees and to every faculty and staff member who contributes to the life of Baptist Health Sciences University. Your scholarship, service, and leadership make our university stronger and our community brighter.
These are the highest honors at the University, and the criteria for this peer-nominated achievement are as follows:
- Personifies the Christian Mission of the University.
- Contributes to the University through professional, community, or faith-based achievement or recognition.
- Demonstrates high level of teaching effectiveness.
- Demonstrates collaboration and teamwork.
On March 2, the Assembly Hall at Baptist Health Sciences University was filled with faculty, staff, and students for the 2026 Faculty & Staff Honors Convocation. The annual ceremony celebrates the exceptional achievements of faculty and staff in scholarly, professional, and community service areas.