President C. Shane Reese Announced University Award Recipients in the College of Fine Arts and Communications During the 2025 Annual University Conference
Six faculty members from College of Fine Arts and Communications were honored with some of Brigham Young University’s most distinguished awards, recognizing excellence in teaching, scholarship, mentoring and citizenship. The recipients have made lasting contributions in their fields while elevating BYU’s academic and artistic reputation locally and internationally.
Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecturer | Curt Holman | Department of Dance
The Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Award, BYU’s most prestigious faculty honor, recognizes Curt W. Holman for his excellence in both scholarship and teaching. Holman, director of BYU’s Ballroom Dance Touring Company, has elevated the university’s global reputation in ballroom dance through innovative, award-winning choreography. His works have been performed on premier stages worldwide, including a recent presentation for the king of Thailand. Highly regarded within the professional ballroom community, Holman is sought after by world-class cabaret couples, many of whom have earned world championship titles while performing his creative works. His artistry continues to distinguish BYU as a leading force in the international ballroom dance arena.
Joseph White Teaching & Learning Faculty Fellowship | David Morgan | Department of Design
The Joseph White Teaching & Learning Faculty Fellowship recognizes the efforts of faculty who enhance teaching and learning through innovation and commitment. David C. Morgan, a professor of design for 30 years, has centered his research on the art and science of folding as a means of idea generation, form giving and mass production. He and his students have exhibited their work at design shows across Europe, Canada and the United States. Morgan is also the coauthor of “YOrigami? Explorations in Folding,” published by the American Mathematical Society. His dedication to blending research with student learning exemplifies the purpose of this fellowship.
Early Career Scholarship Award | Doug Thomas | Department of Design
The Early Career Scholarship Award honors junior faculty who demonstrate outstanding promise and contributions in scholarship. Douglas Thomas explores the intersection of typography, design and culture, with particular emphasis on interface design, user experience, publication design and branding. His scholarship has been featured in major design publications including Abitare, Communication Arts, Metropolis, PRINT and Graphis. He is also the author of “Never Use Futura,” a cultural history of the typeface Futura. Thomas’s innovative work continues to shape conversations about design at BYU and beyond.
BYU Class of 1949 Young Faculty Award | Jihea Hong-Park | School of Music
The BYU Class of 1949 Young Faculty Award acknowledges outstanding contributions by junior faculty members and is made possible through the generosity of the class of 1949. Pianist Jihea Hong-Park is an acclaimed performer, educator and citizen artist. Her students have received national and international recognition, and she is a sought-after speaker and advocate for arts education. Her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration has inspired innovative projects that integrate music with history, dance, literature, visual art and East Asian studies.
Alumni Professorship Award | Miles Romney | School of Communications
The Alumni Professorship Award honors faculty members for excellence in teaching and mentoring. Since graduating from BYU in 2005, Miles Romney has built a wide-ranging career in sports media as a producer, reporter, anchor, sideline reporter, talk radio host and sports photographer. After joining BYU in 2017, he has mentored students in the university’s student media organization, The Daily Universe, guiding them to create compelling, high-quality journalism. Romney has also led experiential learning trips worldwide, helping students expand their skills and perspectives.
Adjunct Faculty Excellence | Ron Linn | Department of Art
The Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award recognizes part-time faculty who demonstrate exceptional teaching over at least five years. Since joining BYU seven years ago, Ronald Linn has exemplified inspiring teaching across a wide range of courses, from introductory classes to advanced seminars and studio work. He has played a key role in curriculum development efforts within the department. Students praise his kindness, curiosity and compassion, noting his steady example as a disciple, scholar and artist.