Stephen F. Austin State University

Lias joined the SFA faculty in 2000, and his courses have included software for composers, music theory, aural skills, scoring and arranging, and applied composition. His graduate courses have included advanced analysis, stylistic analysis and theory pedagogy. He also heads the composition program at SFA and serves as area coordinator of music theory and composition.

Spanning such genres as choral, piano, chamber, theatrical, wind ensemble, and orchestra, Lias’ works have been performed in concerts and recitals throughout the United States and abroad.

“Unlike many other creative artists who languish in relative obscurity writing compositions that are seldom if ever performed…Dr. Lias enjoys a reputation as a highly gifted composer of national note,” according to Dr. Ronald E. Anderson, director of the SFA School of Music.

Lias earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Messiah College in Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in music from SFA and a doctor of musical arts in composition and theory from Louisiana State University. His research interests include compositional techniques since 1950, the relationship between music and drama, the pedagogy of music composition, and film scoring.

He has been honored for his work by the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers for nine consecutive years, and he was selected as 2003 Commissioned Composer by the Texas Music Teachers Association. His professional associations include the Center for the Promotion of Contemporary Composers, the American Music Center, the National Association of Composers, the Society of Composers, and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

“(Dr. Lias) is universally admired by his peers, by his students and by many colleagues across campus who have observed his personal and academic talents, his passion for excellence and his unfaltering desire to move the School of Music, the College of Fine Arts and the university forward in important and positive ways,” Anderson said.

Dr. Lias said he is honored to be one of the two recipients of the Faculty Achievement Award for Research.

“It’s somewhat unusual for fine arts faculty members to be recognized for research, so it is very gratifying to have my work as a composer affirmed by the SFA Foundation,” he said. “I am very flattered to receive this award, and I humbly accept on behalf of all my hardworking colleagues in the College of Fine Arts.”

 

Dr. Stephen Taaffe, Ph.D. - College of Liberal and Applied Arts

Taaffe has been teaching American history, world history and political science at SFA for seven years. He is an expert in military history, having authored three books in the field.

“In addition to his books, Dr. Taaffe has published book reviews, a book chapter, and encyclopedia articles related to World War II and has given a number of conference papers and public addresses on military history topics,” according to Dr. Troy D. Davis, associate professor and chair of the Department of History.

“I believe Dr. Taaffe’s impressive record of research, writing and publication makes him an outstanding candidate for the Foundation’s Faculty Achievement Award for Research,” he said.

Taaffe earned bachelor’s degrees in both political science and Spanish from Grove City College. He also received two master’s degrees – one in political science and one in international affairs – and his doctorate degree in history from Ohio University.

“Steve has managed to achieve something increasingly rare in the historical profession: to make his work accessible to a wider audience,” said Dr. Philip E. Catton, associate professor of history. “His work and his engaging style of writing appeal to the general public, as well as other academics. His ability to reach beyond the halls of the academy is a notable and laudable achievement.”

Taaffe has earned numerous grants, including the Edwin B. Hooper Research Grant from the Naval Historical Foundation in 2006. He has also been the recipient of several SFA Faculty Research Grants.

“I am proud to be receiving the Faculty Achievement Award for Research this year,” Taaffe said. “It was an honor to be nominated, and I am very appreciative of the SFA Foundation for recognizing my work in this way.”

 

Criteria for Faculty Achievement Award in Teaching

Criteria for Faculty Achievement Award in Research