Honoring Faculty Excellence Through the Gift of Knowledge

Every milestone at The University of Texas at Arlington is an opportunity to celebrate growth, innovation, and the shared pursuit of knowledge. Each fall, the Division of Faculty Success hosts the Faculty Promotion and Tenure Dinner, an event recognizing the dedication and accomplishments of faculty members who have reached new heights in their academic careers. 

For UTA Libraries, this celebration holds a special meaning. Behind the scenes, a team of dedicated staff members ensures that each honoree leaves a lasting mark on the Libraries' collections through a meaningful gift chosen in their honor. These contributions range from books, films, anatomical models and creative technology. They become resources that inspire and support future generations of students and researchers. 

"Our part in this event is helping faculty select something for the Libraries that resonates with them," Amy Castillo, Director of Access and Discovery, said. "It might be a resource that helped them in their studies, something tied to their teaching, or even an item that carries personal meaning. What's special is that every choice reflects their individual journey at UTA." 

The Faculty Promotion and Tenure Dinner allow each promoted faculty member to choose an item or service, which the Libraries then purchase through the Friends of the UTA Library Faculty Collection endowment.  

Each item receives a physical bookplate, placed inside the front cover, on a case, or wherever it fits best, and a digital bookplate displayed on the Libraries' website. These plates recognize the honoree's name, department, and new rank, along with their personal remarks about why they selected their item. 

"Some remarks are deeply personal," Castillo said. "Others are practical and focused on student learning. But all of them reflect a connection to their discipline, to their students, and to the university's broader mission." 

A Reflection of Faculty Values 

This year, 75 faculty members were honored at the Oct 9 event. Selections spanned every corner of the Libraries' collections. Each choice from e-books to films and models offered a glimpse into the faculty's diverse interests and commitment to student success. 

"We even received donations for our Creative Spaces and Services areas. We had gifts for The FabLab, The Studios, and The Basement. It's the most we've ever had donated to these spaces,” Lauren Stutler, Director of Creative Spaces and Services, said. "A faculty donor wanted their gift to fund an Adobe certification exam for a student. That support goes directly toward professional development and that's powerful." 

The selections also reveal how faculty see learning beyond the classroom. One professor chose the entire television series The Office, noting that they use it to teach students about workplace communication, leadership, and team dynamics.  

Another selected a Synthesizer to help students explore creative communication in social work. "Her reasoning really touched me," said Stutler. "She wanted students to find new, creative ways to connect and communicate." 

Meaningful Connections 

Behind the bookplates and catalog records lies a lot of careful work.  

Sunday Phillips, Metadata Supervisor, ensures that each item is cataloged, processed, and properly recognized in the Libraries' system, so that anyone can find materials donated in honor of UTA's faculty achievements. 

"It's a detail-oriented process, but a rewarding one," Phillips shared. "Each bookplate and catalog note is a tangible reminder of a faculty member's journey and how it continues to impact students." 

Castillo, Stutler, and Phillips also use this annual event to engage directly with faculty.  

"I don't always get to interact with our faculty members in my day-to-day work," Castillo said. "But through this event, I learned what inspires them and what they want to see added to our collection. Sometimes they even share suggestions for future additions, which opens doors to collaboration." 

Building a Legacy of Learning 

Each donated item, whether a book, a film, a digital resource, or a piece of new technology, adds to the Libraries' mission of supporting Student Success, Research Excellence, and Community Engagement. 

Every gift, from a single book to a new piece of equipment, tells a story of growth and generosity. Together, these stories form a living legacy, one that will continue to empower students on their academic journeys for years to come. 

As Stutler said, "It's always heartening when faculty choose to support our spaces. Their gifts aren't just donations; they're investments in creativity, collaboration, and the success of our students." 

And in that spirit, the Libraries are proud to continue this tradition, celebrating excellence, fostering connection, and building a collection that reflects the heart of the UTA community.