Distinguished Faculty Promoted

The UT Board of Trustees has advanced five faculty members who have distinguished themselves as teachers and scholars.

Kevin Beach, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, is promoted to associate professor of biology and granted tenure.  In addition to publishing nine articles in scholarly journals, Beach, a marine botanist, recently gained national attention for his 10-day underwater research mission aboard the biosphere Aquarius.  He has won numerous research grants and involves students extensively in his projects.

Christopher Capsambelis, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminology, is granted tenure.  Capsambelis has contributed broadly to curriculum development, in particular with study abroad programs, and helps with program evaluation and employee selection for police departments throughout Florida.

Erika Matulich, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing, is granted tenure.  Matulich has shown impressive development as a scholar of marketing issues, and plays a key role in the development of the University’s new course management software.

Susan Taylor-Lennon, MM, assistant professor of dance, is promoted to associate professor of dance and granted tenure.  The founder and area coordinator of the dance program, Taylor-Lennon has won multiple teaching awards and has employed her talents as performer, producer or choreographer to more than 50 works in the past 10 years alone.

Jeffrey Traster, DMA, assistant professor of music, is promoted to associate professor of music and granted tenure.  Traster has directed, conducted or performed in more than 160 public concerts in the past six years, and has conducted a repertoire of 190 compositions.  He is credited with doing more than anyone else in the past 20 years in bringing recognition to UT’s instrumental ensembles.

For more information, contact the Office of Public Information at publicinfo@ut.edu.