DENTON (UNT), Texas — The University of North Texas rolled out the green carpet for the winners of its highest faculty honors at the annual Salute to Faculty Excellence awards celebration on April 17, 2025.

Thirty-two faculty members from across the university were recognized for their dedication to teaching, research, mentorship and service with awards from the Office of the Provost, the Division of Research and Innovation, the UNT Libraries, the UNT Faculty Senate, International Affairs and Digital Strategy and Innovation.

“Trail-blazing faculty drive UNT's mission and fuel UNT’s creativity,” said Holly Hutchins, vice provost for faculty success. “This year’s award winners are educators, researchers, authors, artists and visionaries. It is our honor to celebrate their impact and contributions to our university.”

The Salute to Faculty Excellence celebration began in 2012 as a partnership between the UNT Foundation and the Faculty Success office, spearheaded by UNT’s first vice provost for faculty success Christy Crutsinger, Distinguished Teaching Professor of merchandising and digital retailing. In addition to supporting the celebration, the UNT Foundation sponsors the university’s top four faculty awards.

“I am deeply grateful to Dr. Crutsinger for creating this event and many faculty programs that continue today,” said Hutchins. “Thank you to the UNT Foundation Board of Directors for their continued generosity and the Salute to Faculty Excellence planning committee for creating such a memorable event.”

The UNT Foundation acts as a steward of privately contributed resources, ensuring they are utilized in accordance with donor intent and maintained separately from public funds. Endowments and other gifts managed by the Foundation help fund faculty research, chair appointments, professorships, student scholarships and other initiatives.

 

UNT Foundation Eminent Faculty Award

Francis D’Souza

Watch the 2025 UNT Foundation Eminnet Faculty Award video.

Francis D’Souza, Regents Professor in the College of Science Department of Chemistry, joined UNT in 2011 with an international reputation as a pioneering researcher and leader in global scientific organizations.

Starting his independent research career at Wichita State University, D’Souza quickly became a leading figure in porphyrin chemistry, a field with potential for converting light into usable energy. His lab at UNT is known for combining traditional and modern synthesis methods, supramolecular chemistry and advanced spectroscopy. He has secured more than $4 million in funding as PI or co-PI, primarily from the National Science Foundation and Department of Energy.

A dedicated educator, D’Souza is known for making complex concepts accessible and for mentoring over 80 undergraduates and 44 graduate students. Many have won competitive awards or gone on to careers in national labs, academia and industry.

 

UNT Foundation Faculty Leadership Award

Jean Keller

Jean Keller, professor in the College of Education Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation, is guided by what she calls the “Four Ps”—people, purpose, progress and passion.

During her 12 years as dean of the College of Education, she supported the success of numerous faculty and students, including Bertina Hildreth Combes, who later became interim dean and vice provost for faculty success. Keller’s former students now hold leadership roles nationwide, including at Scottish Rite for Children and Grand Valley State University.

For more than 24 years, Keller has led college and career readiness efforts as coordinator of UNT’s North Texas Regional P-16 Council. She also served as special assistant to the UNT System vice chancellor during UNT Dallas’ transition to independent accreditation and has held multiple interim leadership roles at UNT. Since returning to the faculty, she has continued mentoring colleagues and leading grant-writing and service efforts.

 

UNT Foundation Community Engagement Award

Brenda Sweeten

Brenda Sweeten, clinical professor of social work in the College of Health and Public Service, is a passionate advocate for students and communities, working to break cycles of poverty and trauma.

Sweeten serves as UNT’s Foster Care Liaison Officer and director of field education for social work students. In 2012, she founded PUSH (Persevere UNTil Success Happens), a program supporting UNT students who experienced foster care. Under her leadership, PUSH has become a state leader in student retention, earning more than $650,000 in grants, donations and emergency funds. The Karlow-Robinson Family Endowment established permanent funding in 2022.

Since 2019, Sweeten has partnered with the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and now serves on its Steering Committee. She also is the immediate past president of Education Reach, a statewide nonprofit supporting former foster youth in higher education. As president, she helped secure the group’s first major funding award.

 

UNT Foundation Outstanding Lecturer Award

Benjamin Graf

Benjamin Graf, principal lecturer in the Division of Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology, teaches core music theory to nearly every student in the College of Music.

Despite teaching some of the college’s largest classes, Graf is known for his engaging, student-focused approach. He uses film music, cartoons, jazz and classical standards to spark student creativity and foster a deeper understanding of theory. His methods often stem from his podcast Note Doctors, where he and co-hosts interview leading music theorists.

As coordinator of UNT’s Czech Music Initiative, Graf has organized concerts and events in Texas and the Czech Republic. He also created a mentorship program for teaching fellows and led efforts to revise the theory curriculum to better serve jazz students, equipping all music students with broader tools and perspectives.