Students and Faculty Members Receive University’s Highest Honors at 2026 Awards Day

Belmont hosted its annual Scholarship & Awards Day celebration, April 15, in the Massey Performing Arts Center to honor faculty and students who have provided creative inspiration, scholarly direction as well as champion whole-person formation within their fields of study and the greater Belmont community.  

Throughout the ceremony, 13 student awards and five faculty awards were given to members of the Belmont community who exemplify Christlike servant leadership and a genuine desire to encourage the flourishing of those around them.  

“At Belmont, we believe that higher education is at its best when formation is at the core of our calling,” said Belmont President Greg Jones. “We are committed to developing people of purpose, character and wisdom — individuals guided and shaped by service and grounded in faith who are prepared to engage a complex world with both competence and care. This day is evidence of that commitment in practice.”  

Faculty Achievement Awards 

President Greg Jones and Provost Dr. David Gregory presented the Presidential Faculty Achievement Award, Chaney Distinguished Professor Award, Faculty Scholarship Award, Leadership in Christian Service Award and Christian Scholarship Award to the following faculty. 

Learn more about each award here.

Christian Scholarship Award 

This year, Director of Choral Activities Dr. Jeffery Ames, was presented with this honor. His landmark composition, “Requiem for Color: A Journey Through Lament and Joy,” represents more than a decade of research and artistry and has gained international recognition through PBS broadcasts, a London performance and three MidSouth Emmy Awards.  

Leadership in Christian Service Award 

Dr. Cathy Eschete, associate dean and associate professor in the College of Education, and Dr. Mary Vaugn, professor in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, were presented with this honor.  

Eschete has been a longtime champion of foster care through years of hands-on family involvement, on and off-campus training and church leadership. Vaugn has demonstrated decades of servant leadership through ministries supporting the unhoused, refugees and women in crisis. Both women exemplify Belmont’s Christ-centered mission through faithful service, hospitality and hope.  

Faculty Scholarship Award

This year, Dr. Michael Oliver, director of the neuroscience program and assistant professor of psychology, was presented with the award. Oliver exemplifies faculty scholarship through his research, teaching and public engagement, consistently involving students and colleagues as collaborators, co-authors and presenters in his work. Beyond Belmont, Oliver also translates psychological and neuroscientific research into real-world impact through community partnerships and public-facing scholarship.

Chaney Distinguished Professor Award 

Anthony Monica, assistant professor of architecture, was honored with the award for his purposeful teaching and thoughtfully structured and intellectually demanding design studios that push students to move beyond surface-level thinking and engage design with intention and discipline. Monica’s impact spreads beyond the classroom in his dedicated student mentorship. In weaving character formation, integrity and care into his teaching, students leave his classes as stronger designers and more thoughtful, grounded individuals.  

Presidential Faculty Achievement Award 

The winner of this year’s award is College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Professor Dr. Angela Hagan. Over the past decade, Hagan has distinguished herself as a faculty member fully dedicated to well-rounded student formation.  

Hagan’s scholarly work has produced multiple academic publications, Belmont’s IMPACT week curriculum and continued educational offerings in the Center for Interprofessional Engagement and Simulation. Beyond academic work, Hagan has served in leadership roles with several organizations, both nationally and locally and has used her community involvement to mentor countless student leaders over the years. Hagan’s career reflects a deep desire to equip and empower future professionals with the competence, compassion and vision necessary to flourish wherever they may go.  

The 2026 scholarship and award recipients are shining examples of Belmont’s continued dedication to whole person formation, pursuit of wisdom and creating a Christ-centered community for all.