Carol G. Belk Distinguished Professor
Mark Gibney, Ph.D.
The Carol G. Belk Distinguished Professorship in Humanities was endowed by Irwin Belk in honor of his wife. Subtitled “Ethics In Contemporary Cultures,” the Belk Professorship is given to an individual who can share his or her knowledge of the history, development and function of ethics and ethical systems in contemporary world cultures. The Belk Professor may be drawn from any academic discipline and must demonstrate substantial accomplishment in undergraduate teaching, interdisciplinary engagement, scholarship, and leadership both on campus and in the community.
Carson Distinguished Professor
BRITT LUNDGREN, Ph.D. (2024-2026)
The Phillip G. Carson Distinguished Professor in Science may be awarded in any discipline in UNC Asheville’s natural sciences division, preferably to an individual whose specialty area stresses interdisciplinary learning. Identified as both a teacher and a scholar, the Carson Professor must have a strong commitment to undergraduate education and to undergraduate research, and is expected to have a wide impact on the university community and the state. Duties include regular teaching of both upper and lower level courses (number of courses not specified), scholarship, support of undergraduate research, faculty development activities, and some public responsibilities.
Cary Caperton Owen Distinguished Professor
Rob Tatum, Ph.D. (2023-2026)
Supported by a grant from the C. D. Spangler Foundation, the Cary Caperton Owen Professorship is awarded to a Professor of Economics to recognize and to encourage excellence in the Department of Economics in teaching, scholarship, and professional and community service.
GlaxoSmithKline Professor
Amanda Wolfe, Ph.D. (2022-2027)
The GlaxoSmithKline Professorship is supported by grants from the GlaxoSmithKline Foundation and the C. D. Spangler Foundation. The appointment recognizes excellence in teaching and scholarship in the area of molecular and chemical biology.
Glaxo Wellcome Professor
Ted Miegs, Ph.D. (2025-2027)
The Glaxo Wellcome Professorship in Undergraduate Research may be awarded in any discipline in the physical and natural sciences, preferably to an individual whose expertise can enhance interdisciplinary learning and scholarship. The Glaxo Wellcome Professor is expected to take the lead role in facilitating interdisciplinary science and undergraduate science research. Evidence of commitment to undergraduate education, undergraduate research, and the liberal arts is essential.
Mountain South Professor
IRENE ROSSELL, Ph.D. (2023-2026)
Supported by grants from the C.D. Spangler Foundation and the UNC Asheville Foundation, this professorship is awarded to a tenured full professor from any discipline who has demonstrated exemplary teaching across the liberal arts curriculum, scholarly expertise in a field related to the Mountain South, and substantive contributions to the University and its mission.
National Endowment for the Humanities Professor
WILLIAM BARES, PH.D. (2023-2026)
Supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the title of NEH professor is bestowed as a reward for scholarship and teaching in the Humanities. The NEH professor assists with faculty development in the Humanities area.
Roy Carroll Distinguished Professorship
Ellen holmes pearson, Ph.D. (2021-2026)
The Roy Carroll Distinguished Professorship in Honors Arts and Sciences was made possible by a grant from the C.D. Spangler Foundation and a generous anonymous private gift. The Carroll Professor works closely with the Director of the Honors program and supports the program in establishing linkages to undergraduate research, service learning, and other university initiatives. The Professorship is awarded to a tenured full professor who has a record of substantive contribution to the University and its mission as well as exemplary teaching across the liberal arts curriculum and in the Honors program.
Ruth Paddison Distinguished Professor
Melodie Galloway,D.M.A. (2025-2028)
Asheville resident Ruth Paddison deeply valued education and established the Distinguished Professorship to support the Arts at UNC Asheville. The Ruth Paddison Distinguished Professorship was made possible by the C. D. Spangler Foundation and the generous gift of Ruth Paddison, who was an early patron of the Music and Drama productions at UNC Asheville. The Professorship is awarded to a tenured full professor from the Music or Drama department to initiate and sustain support for undergraduate research projects, professional development, or other appropriate activities. The Paddison Professor will (1) promote interdisciplinary connections between fields, (2) promote excellence in teaching, (3) engage in faculty development, (4) support an active scholarly agenda.
Dr. Melodie Galloway will be the 2025 recipient of the Ruth Paddison Distinguished Professorship in Music and Drama. Dr. Galloway’s “Exploring Music Migrations as Markers for Cultural Identities” project aims to bridge music and documentary film to explore cultural identities through historical artifacts in the Thistle & Shamrock collection. Hosted by the University of North Carolina at Asheville’s Center for Music and Roots, the project investigates music-related migration stories primarily focused on European, Scandinavian, and British Isles immigrant movements to North America while acknowledging the transatlantic slave trade. The project will utilize Fiona Ritchie’s music collection, donated to the Center, and emphasize the connection between past and present cultural identities through music. It will involve faculty-student collaborations for research, documentary production, and undergraduate studies.
Sara and Joseph Breman Professor
Keith cox, Ph.D. (2025-2027)
The Sara and Joseph Breman Foundation and the Helen and Coleman Zageir Foundation have provided a permanent endowment for the Sara and Joseph Breman Professorship of Social Relations. This professorship is awarded for a two-year term to a faculty member residing in one of the Social Science departments.
Dr. Keith Cox, Associate Professor of Psychology, has been named the 2025-2027 Sara and Joseph Breman Professor of Social Relations. Dr. Cox’s project, “Asheville Rising: Communicating the Science of Trauma and Disaster and Posttraumatic Growth in the Wake of Helene,” focuses on addressing the pervasive misinformation surrounding trauma, disaster, PTSD, and the potential for posttraumatic growth, especially in the aftermath of the recent Hurricane Helene disaster. The proposal aims to counter this misinformation by highlighting research that indicates most people are resilient and often recover from potentially traumatic events. His research emphasizes that while a small percentage develop long-lasting issues, the majority can thrive through effective, science-based treatments. Dr. Cox plans to communicate these positive messages through various initiatives, including a new “Communicating Trauma” course to engage students and the wider community.
Additionally, events will be organized around Helene’s anniversary to share experiences and lessons learned from trauma. The proposal includes creating local and national manuals to guide effective communication regarding trauma and recovery. By fostering collaboration among mental health practitioners, educators, and community organizations, the initiative aims to strengthen the support network for trauma survivors and promote a healthier understanding of trauma and resilience in Western North Carolina and beyond.
Thomas Howerton Distinguished Professor
Erica Abrams Locklear, Ph.D. (2022-2028)
Supported by a gift from Helen Howerton Lineberry and her husband, Al Lineberry, in memory of her father, Thomas Howerton, and a grant from the C. D. Spangler Foundation, the Howerton Professorship is awarded to a tenured full professor who has demonstrated exemplary teaching across the liberal arts curriculum and made substantive contributions to the University and its mission. The Howerton professorship has a four-fold responsibility: (1) to add knowledge for the betterment of humanity, (2) to enhance UNC Asheville’s emphasis on an interdisciplinary study of Humanities infused across the curriculum, (3) to make more visible—locally, statewide, and nationally—UNC Asheville’s dedication to the Humanities, and (4) to inspire excellence in the study of the Humanities by initiating and coordinating a lecture series.
Dr. Erica Abrams Locklear has been selected for an additional three-year term as the Howerton Professor. In this second iteration, Dr. Locklear will launch a series entitled the “Rising Waters: Writing Place and Environment” to foster interdisciplinary dialogue between the humanities and natural sciences scholars by exploring creative depictions of place and environmental challenges. Specifically focused on water, the series will examine its significance in literature, impact on Indigenous ecologies, and role in Appalachian flooding. The series bridges environmental studies, biology, literature, and art disciplines by integrating academic and creative presentations.