FAU Celebrates 52nd Annual Honors Convocation Awardees

By Brittany Sylvestri | 04/14/2021

Florida Atlantic University President John Kelly and Provost Bret Danilowicz today announced the recipients of the 52nd annual Honors Convocation awards. The celebration recognizes the University’s most outstanding students and faculty.

“Honors Convocation is a longstanding and important tradition,” said Danilowicz. “Even if we can’t all be together, this remote ceremony will allow us to spotlight the academic excellence of our best faculty and students.”

Awards and recognition include nine University scholars, the Distinguished Student award, the University Club Merit award, the Phi Kappa Phi scholar, the Stan and Renee Wimberly scholar, the Undergraduate Researchers awards, the Student-Athletes of the Year awards, Prestigious Fellowship, and the Fraternity and Sorority scholars. Faculty honors include the FAU Alumni Association’s Degree of Difference Award, Researchers and Scholars of the Year awards, Teaching and Advising awards, as well as the Distinguished Mentor of the Year in Undergraduate Research award, and the Presidential Awards for Engaged Faculty.

The winner of the Distinguished Teacher of the Year award is determined by FAU students. This year’s recipient is Danielle Groton, Ph.D., assistant professor of social work in the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice. Groton’s area of expertise is on homelessness, particularly related to how health disparities and employment opportunities impact women experiencing homelessness. In only her fourth year as an assistant professor, she has already been named Social Work Educator of the Year for Palm Beach County.

For the complete list of the 52nd Annual Honors Convocation Awardees click here.

Recognizing the 52nd Annual Honors Convocation Awardees and Finalists from the College of Business

University Scholar

Kevin Figueroa - BA Management/Entrepreneurship, Minor: Finance (Spring 2021)
College of Business | FAU Henderson High School Senior | Management

Student-Athletes of the Year

Erica Brok - Beach Volleyball - BA in Arts - Math, Minor: Business Administration (Spring 2021)
College of Business | Management

Daniel Skistad - Soccer - Double Major BBA Management/Leadership and INternational Business (Spring 2021)
College of Business | Management

Undergraduate Researcher of the Year

Daniela Rivera-Cintron - BS Economics (Spring 2021), starting MS in Economics (Fall 2021)
College of Business, Allen E. Smith Awardee | Economics

Scholars of the Year

Anil Bilgihan, Associate Professor
College of Business | Marketing Department - Hospitality and Tourism Management

Excellence and Innovation in Undergraduate Teaching

Deborah Searcy, Instructor
College of Business | Management Department

Excellence and Innovation in Undergraduate Advising

Gili Rabone, Academic Advisor
College of Business | Student Academic Services - Specializing in the MIS Combined Bachelor to Master's Program

Finalist for Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award

Chiang-Sheng "Derrick" Huang, Associate Professor
College of Business | Information Technology and Operations Management Department

Finalist for Scholar of the Year / Assistant Professor

Ye Zhang, Assistant Professor
College of Business | Marketing Department - Hospitality and Tourism Management

Finalist for Distinguished Mentor of the Year in Undergraduate Research

Eileen Acello, Instructor
College of Business | Marketing Department

Faculty Service Award Nominee

Jennifer Attonito, Instructor
College of Business | Management Department - Health Administration

-FAU-