2025 faculty and staff award recipients announced

Grady College is proud to announce the recipients of the Darwin Davis Award, Vera Penn Staff Award for Excellence and the Teacher of the Year awards.

Darwin Davis Award

Beth Allinger, director of finance and administration, is the recipient of the 2025 Darwin Davis Award. The Darwin Davis Award was established in 2007 to recognize a member of the Grady College faculty or staff whose performance reflects those qualities of dedication and friendship that best capture the College’s “spirit.” The award is named for Arthur B. Darwin and Harold E. Davis, notable alumni of Grady College.

“Beth’s understanding of the fiscal processes of the university are extensive, as you would expect of someone in this position. But it is her willingness to solve problems and work with people that stands out,” Allinger’s nominator wrote. “Beth embodies the get to yes culture that makes this place work – bring her a problem and she will find a solution for it. And it is all handled with grace, humor … and just the touch of snark that gives this college the character we all love.”

Vera Penn Staff Award for Excellence

Jonathon Streetman, IT manager, is the recipient of the 2025 Vera Penn Staff Award for Excellence. The award is presented annually to the individual who exhibits outstanding characteristics in performance of duties. 

Streetman is considered by his peers at Grady College to be an outstanding example for others and represents Grady College in a positive manner. One nominator stated, “He’s always ready to hear out any ongoing issues and comes up with the best solution for everyone involved. He is kind to explain any confusion regarding IT or technology”

Teachers of the Year

Teachers of the Year are annually selected by their peers based on excellence in the classroom and student feedback. The teachers of the year for the 2024-2025 academic year are listed below. 

• Lauren Musgrove, assistant professor, EMST

Musgrove is an 8-time Southeast Emmy winning filmmaker. Her work explores places of vulnerability and inspiration in the human condition, often involving scientific research and fantastical imagery. She is passionate about engaging with film and television production from a variety of angles, promoting sustainable, ethical approaches to the art form, and content that encourage inner and outer peace. During the award presentation, Jay Hamilton, EMST department head, highlighted Musgrove’s student’s recent accomplishments by stating, “Three of her students films were accepted for the Atlanta Women’s Film Fest. One film was nominated for best social impact film. This is a tremendous accomplishment for someone who is still in their degree program.”

• Kyser Lough, associate professor, Journalism

Lough studies visual communication and solutions journalism, with an emphasis on photojournalism. He teaches graduate-level visual communication method & theory, as well as undergraduate photography and journalism ethics & diversity courses. One student described Lough by stating, “Dr. Lowe is incredibly knowledgeable in photojournalism. He is able to give constructive criticism and he always has been approachable and receptive to both questions and concerns.” Another student stated, “He is always ready to answer questions and was patient with me when I did not understand things. He takes the mental health of his students seriously.”

• Nicholas Eng, assistant professor, Public Relations

Eng teaches public relations foundation and ethics. His research investigates the interplay between message features and audience factors in shaping psychological and behavioral responses to messages about health, science and the environment. Students described the highlights of his courses by stating, “THE Professor,” “Always kind and enthusiastic,” and “Truly cares about every student.”

• Sabrena Deal, senior lecturer, Advertising 

Deal teaches Brand Strategy, Graphic Communication and Integrated Campaigns courses. She is a UGA Faculty Active Learning Leader and recently earned a Universal Design for Learning credential. Students described the highlights of her courses by stating, “She gave guidelines, but not barriers,” “She invited discussions,” and “The course content and projects are extremely helpful in preparing me for the industry.”

Author: Lauren A. Pike, [email protected]