Dear Tulane Community,
As we celebrate the achievements of our graduates at Commencement, we also honor the faculty whose selfless contributions enable our students' success. At this year's Unified ceremony on Saturday, May 17 at 6 p.m. in the Caesars Superdome, we will recognize four outstanding faculty members who have helped scores of Tulane students unlock their potential and realize their dreams.
Established in 2007, the Suzanne and Stephen Weiss Presidential Fellows Award recognizes faculty for excellence in undergraduate teaching, student advising and instructional improvement and development. This year's recipients are Jacquelyne Thoni Howard and Katherine Raymond.
Weiss Fellow Jacquelyne Thoni Howard is an inaugural Professor of Practice in the Connolly Alexander Institute for Data Science. An interdisciplinary scholar whose expertise stretches from history to data literacy, she impressed the selection committee with her pedagogical engagement and her dedication to meeting students' needs to achieve better learning outcomes. A faculty colleague wrote that "she goes above and beyond consistently for students and contributes and innovates in every dimension of the student experience." A current student wrote: "Every member of the Tulane community is indebted to wonderful teachers like Dr. Howard [who] sacrifice their time and energy in the pursuit of educating the next generation."
Receiving the Weiss award marks a full-circle moment for Katherine Raymond. In 1999, she was among the bachelor's degree graduates when Tulane held its inaugural Unified Commencement ceremony. She ultimately earned her PhD from Tulane and joined the faculty of her alma mater. A Senior Professor of Practice in the Department of Biomedical Engineering in the School of Science and Engineering, Professor Raymond has advised and mentored students both within and beyond her field. A colleague wrote: "The passion and energy that Katherine brings to her teaching are awe-inspiring," and a current student noted that "Dr. Raymond has made such a positive impact on every single student and...is consistently there for everyone to talk about anything at all."
The Tulane President’s Award for Excellence in Professional and Graduate Teaching is given annually to two faculty members who have a sustained and compelling record of excellence in teaching and learning and an ongoing commitment to educational excellence. The 2025 President's Award recipients are Catherine O'Connor and Randy Sparks.
Catherine O'Connor is a Professor in the School of Social Work who is lauded for putting her students first, building cross-disciplinary collaborations with faculty from other schools, and creating opportunities for experiential learning and leadership. A current doctoral student cited her "vibrant approach to teaching" and "the emotional support she provides without hesitation." A former student and recent graduate — now a tenure-track professor at a flagship public research university — wrote: "I have received and continue to benefit from [Dr. O'Connor's] excellent, rigorous, and compassionate teaching and mentorship… in more ways that I can possibly recount, but most specifically in relation to instruction, research support, and professional development."
Also receiving the President's Award is Randy Sparks, the Clement Chambers Benenson Professor in the Department of History in the School of Liberal Arts. As a member of the Tulane faculty for 25 years, Professor Sparks has advised dozens of graduate students, brought clarity and insight to difficult topics in the classroom, and published extensively. He oversaw a complete revitalization of the history graduate program that will have a positive impact on students for years to come. One student described him as "a tremendous lecturer, a studious scholar, and a most supportive advisor" who "provided a warm and welcoming environment;” the phrase "the best class I’ve ever taken" reverberates throughout his course evaluations.
It's fitting that our keynote speaker this year is Sheryl Lee Ralph, an iconic performer who earned an Emmy award for her unforgettable role as a dedicated educator on Abbott Elementary. From kindergarten through graduate school, teachers and professors give us the tools to follow Henry David Thoreau's advice and "go confidently in the direction of your dreams." I hope you'll join us on May 17 to celebrate our graduates, to be inspired by our keynote speaker, and to present these four incredible faculty members with our highest recognition for undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring.
