Don W. Cleveland was the valedictorian of the New Mexico State University class of 1972. As a researcher, he has earned scores of prestigious awards, including the $3 million Breakthrough Prize in 2018. This fall, as an NMSU distinguished alumnus and donor, Cleveland established the Don W. Cleveland Award for Outstanding Scholarship, Teaching or Service in the College of Arts and Sciences.
The annual recognition program selects one outstanding tenured/tenure-track faculty member whose work over the past two years has demonstrated exceptional impact and recognition within the institution and at the national or international levels.
The first recipient of this award is Kelly Jenks, NMSU associate anthropology professor and director of the University Museum. The award recognizes not only the work Jenks has done on campus as director of the University Museum, but also her ongoing research on the Cañón de Carnué Archaeological Project, along with her teaching and service projects.
"I am grateful to Dr. Cleveland and the NMSU College of Arts and Sciences for giving me this award," Jenks said. "I'm very fortunate to have a job that allows me to live in, study and celebrate the history and heritage of New Mexico. Being recognized for this work shows me that my colleagues care about our cultural heritage."
Jenks, who joined NMSU's Department of Anthropology in 2015, was nominated for the honor by Lois Stanford, anthropology professor and department head.
"Dr. Jenks designs her courses around innovative active-learning pedagogy," Stanford said. "She conceptualizes the NMSU campus, Las Cruces community and surrounding public lands, parks and cultural resources as a living classroom. Her work is not only recognized through publications, grants and NMSU field schools; it is also recognized by community residents who acknowledge the contribution of her historical archaeology investigation in documenting previously unrecognized history. Most impressive is Dr. Jenks' follow up and impact on students in their professional careers. Her influence extends beyond the classroom into her students' professional advancement."
Enrico Pontelli, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, pointed to Jenks' work at the University Museum.
"Kelly has been instrumental in reorganizing the operation of the University Museum, working with the collections and placing a strong emphasis on the engagement of students in the activities of the museum," Pontelli said. "This is an excellent complement to her outstanding scholarship and her strong dedication to student success."
The annual honor provides a $5,000 cash award and a framed certificate. The intent behind the recognition is to showcase the extraordinary talent and scholarly creativity within the College of Arts and Sciences, to promote a culture of academic excellence and innovation, and to incentivize high-impact teaching, service, research and creative accomplishments.
The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-college-of-arts-and-sciences-names-first-cleveland-award-recipient/s/f04c8bd2-8116-4120-8f01-968091d70356
