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SEC Faculty Achievement Award Winners

Universities thrive on great faculty members — the dedication to the classroom experience, the commitment to advance their disciplines and the determination to make a difference through service are indispensable.

For over a decade, the Southeastern Conference has used its SEC Faculty Achievement Award to honor these essential members of the campus community. This unique awards program was established in 2012 by the Conference’s presidents and chancellors and celebrates success in teaching, research, and service. Each year, one of the 14 recipients is chosen as the SEC Professor of the Year, voted on by the universities’ provosts.

Previous Winners

2024

Elbio Dagotto

Distinguished Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy

2023

Tony Schmitz

Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering

2022

Alison Buchan

Carolyn W. Fite Professor of Microbiology

2021

Gregory Stuart

Chancellor’s Professor in Psychology

2020

Leon Tolbert

Min H. Kao Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

2019

Penny White

Elvin E. Overton Distinguished Professor of Law

2018

Louis Gross

Alvin and Sally Beaman Distinguished Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Mathematics

2017

Suzanne Lenhart

Chancellor’s Professor of Mathematics

2016

Susan E. Riechert

Distinguished Service Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

2015

J. Wesley Hines

Postelle Professor of Nuclear Engineering

2014

Daniel S. Simberloff

Nancy Gore Hunger Professor of Environmental Science

2013

Harry (Hap) McSween

Chancellor’s Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences

2012

Carol Tenopir

Chancellor’s Professor of Information Sciences