President James Ramsey praised a faculty “committed to excellence” at the 13th annual Celebration of Faculty Excellence on Tuesday night.

In his welcoming address, Ramsey told honorees, “You make us premier,” – a reference to U of L’s mission statement, to be “a premier, nationally recognized metropolitan research university.”

Ramsey also emphasized the faculty’s role in U of L’s “new neighborhood,” the Atlantic Coast Conference.

University provost Shirley Willihnganz conferred 7 categories of awards, which honored faculty in their scholarship, research, creativity, service and multicultural teaching.

Recipients of the President’s Distinguished Faculty Awards received a $1,000 check and a medallion. Their photographs will be showcased on banners lining campus walkways. Joy Hart, Jeffrey Skinner, Donald Demuth and Jeff Hieb were among the 14 recipients.

In addition, U of L recognized 14 endowed faculty members. U of L has over 150 endowed chairs, which Willihnganz attributed to the contributions of “many generous donors.”

Executive vice president for research and innovation William Pierce recognized 5 University Scholars and 44 patent and licenses.

Pierce said patents and licenses “help drive the economy of our city” and contribute to “the greater good of mankind.”

The Celebration of Faculty Excellence Dinner runs in conjunction with the State of the University Week.