Catherine Earley, assistant professor of Social Work at Midwestern State University, was presented with the Faculty Award during the Fall 2024 Commencement Ceremony Dec. 14 at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.

When Matthew Capps, professor of Educational Leadership & Technology and Faculty Senate chair, announced Earley as the recipient, he said, “Her students say she is a great professor. She goes above and beyond to help her students. She is fair but will always help you when needed.”

Each year, the 239 faculty members at MSU Texas vote for one member who demonstrates excellence in teaching and service to their university. The recipient’s name is kept secret until commencement. “Earley has served on numerous university and community committees, setting an example of what we would expect from her profession,” Capps said.

Earley said that receiving the Faculty Award was a wonderful and humbling surprise. “I am quick to recognize the multitude of qualifications and accomplishments held by others all over campus that are far greater than mine, and I appreciate having so many wonderful people to learn from and emulate,” she said. “I love getting to teach and serve at MSU, and I treasure the opportunity we get to educate and inspire our students. I am in constant awe of all that my colleagues do, and I feel both incredibly thankful for and propelled by this recognition.”

Earley earned her bachelor’s in Social Work from MSU Texas in 1998. She began her teaching career at MSU Texas in 2003 as an adjunct faculty member in the academic success program and started full-time teaching in 2018. She is a doctoral candidate at Texas Tech University.

Faculty Award finalists were Pablo Garcia-Fuentes, associate professor of Economics; Jim Sernoe, chair of Mass Communication; Dawn Slavens, professor of Mathematics; Whitney Snow, professor of History; and Stephanie Zamora-Robles, assistant professor of Graduate and Adult Education.