Stephen F. Austin State University

Three faculty members will be honored for outstanding achievement at the Stephen F. Austin State University Foundation’s 19th annual gala at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at The Fredonia Hotel & Convention Center.

Dr. Norman L. Markworth, Regents Professor of astronomy, is the recipient of the Faculty Achievement Award for Teaching. Dr. Stephen Lias, associate professor of music, and Dr. Stephen Taaffe, associate professor of history, are the recipients of the Faculty Achievement Award for Research.

“Each and every year we receive truly outstanding nominations for both the teaching and research awards, and this year was no exception,” said SFA Director of Development Jill Still. “The three faculty members being honored at this year’s gala exemplify the stellar quality of educators we have at SFA, and they are very deserving of this special recognition.”

Markworth has been teaching at SFA for 29 years. In that time he has taught every course offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy and has written and/or edited several laboratory manuals used by the department. In 1999 he developed and taught the first Web-based course ever offered at SFA. The success of his online astronomy class led the way in the development of the extensive online offerings now available through the university.

“Dr. Markworth teaches with a relaxed style that helps the students to be at ease with their classes and assignments,” according to Dr. Harry Downing, professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “This is a special quality that a physics and astronomy teacher needs since the material is so intense for our students.”

In addition to his physics and astronomy classes, Markworth has taught musical acoustics in the College of Fine Arts and secured 35 different grants totaling more than $340,000.

“One of the greatest impacts that Dr. Markworth has had for our region relates to the observatory,” Downing said. “Mainly through his individual efforts, our observatory has become a first-class facility. We have the largest teaching observatory in Texas, and our 41-inch telescope is the largest between Cambridge, Mass., and the McDonald Observatory in West Texas.”

Markworth earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Illinois – Urbana and a doctorate degree in astronomy from the University of Florida. His professional associations include the International Astronomical Union, the American Astronomical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers, and the Council on Undergraduate Research. He is a past recipient of the Student Government Association Professor of the Year Award and a two-time recipient of the Departmental and College Teaching Excellence Award.

Markworth said, as a scientist, he is especially pleased to be receiving the Faculty Achievement Award for Teaching.

“I think people often think of scientists as being researchers first and teachers second,” he said. “But I can tell you that in my department we have some outstanding educators, and I’m very proud to have been nominated by my chair and to be receiving this recognition from the SFA Foundation.”

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.”

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.”

Gala festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with a formal dance followed by a candlelight dinner and presentations at 7 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the Tom Houston Orchestra and New Orleans-based Sha’On & the Girls. Tickets are $160 for orchestra seating and $110 for ballroom seating.

Proceeds from the annual gala help build the permanent endowment created by the SFA Foundation to honor faculty achievement. As a commitment to excellence, this continually growing endowment recognizes innovation and excellence in teaching, research and service.

For tickets and information, call (936)468-2114.