The University of North Texas College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Advisory Board honored three CLASS faculty at its end-of-the-year reception.

The nine finalists emerged from a pool of up to 32 nominees put forward by each of the CLASS departments. Then, the CLASS Faculty Council narrowed the field to nine and submitted those names to the CLASS Faculty Board.

Matthew Heard, Associate Professor in the Department of English earned the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching award. Dr. Heard joined the Department of English in the fall of 2007, and currently serves as the director of UNT's first-year writing program. Heard specializes in Rhetoric and Writing Studies with a focus on rhetorical theory, ethics, tonality, and civic responsibility. His most recent scholarly work includes "Rhetoric in Dimness," a chapter in Reinventing (with) Theory in Rhetoric and Writing Studies, and "Rhetoric and the Rise of Foster Care," an article in Rhetoric Review. Dr. Heard received his Ph.D. (2007) and master's (2003) in English from the University of California, Riverside, and his bachelor's degree in English from Abilene Christian University (2001).

Brian Richardson, a Professor in the Department of Communication Studies was tabbed the Excellence in Graduate Teaching honor. Brian joined UNT in 2001 as an assistant professor and was promoted to associate professor in 2008. He specializes in crisis communication, whistleblowing, and sports communication. Dr. Richardson teaches interpersonal, digital, and organizational communication and courses in communication and conflict, and consulting. He has served as a major professor to 42 master's students and directed thirteen theses', and has served on six different dissertation committees in Library, and Information Sciences, Applied Training, Technical Development, and Education. He received his doctorate in Communication Studies from the University of Texas at Austin (2001), his master's degree in from Louisiana Tech University in Human Relations and Supervision (1992), and his bachelor's degree in Communication from Lamar University (1991).

Thorne Anderson, Professor in the Mayborn School of Journalism received the Excellence in Research, Scholarship, and/or Creative Activity category. Anderson joined Mayborn as an assistant professor in the fall of 2009. He is a specialist in photojournalism, visual communication, and multimedia storytelling. Thorne has been a guest lecturer at numerous universities in Europe and the United States. He has taught journalism and mass communication at the American University in Bulgaria and has worked internationally as a freelance. Anderson received his Master of Arts in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism (1997) and his Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Rhodes College (1989).

2022 Finalists
Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Matthew Heard, Department of English
Megan Morrissey, Department of Communication Studies

Excellence in Graduate Teaching
Tracy Everbach, Mayborn School of Journalism
Myungsup Kim, Department of Economics
Brian Richardson, Department of Communication Studies

Excellence in Research, Scholarship, and/or Creative Activity
Thorne Anderson, Mayborn School of Journalism
Jacqueline Foertsch, Department of English
William Scarborough, Department of Sociology
Jacqueline Vickery, Department of Media Arts

For more information on the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences visit

About CLASS Advisory Board: The CLASS Advisory Board provides guidance and support to CLASS in our mission of transforming the lives of its students, advancing the boundaries of knowledge, and supporting the economic development of Texas. The board members have accomplished professionals in government, business, education, and the arts with a shared commitment to higher education and strengthening its role in benefiting society, advancing science and technology, and contributing to economic development.

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