Rome, Ga. — Faculty members Dr. Angie O’Neal and Dr. Duane Warfield were recognized for outstanding dedication and achievement during Shorter University’s recent Awards Day.

“Each year, our faculty awards are given to professors who exemplify the principles of servant-leadership in their work with students,” said Shorter University President Dr. Don Dowless. “Both Dr. Angie O’Neal and Dr. Duane Warfield are outstanding professors who live out our mission of Transforming Lives through Christ. They are committed to preparing students for successful careers and to honoring Christ through all they do. We are proud to recognize both Dr. O’Neal and Dr. Warfield for their outstanding work.”

Dr. O’Neal, who holds the Joan Alden Speidel Chair in English and is associate professor of English, received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship. The $1,500 cash award recognizes the contributions and achievements of a senior professor. Dr. O’Neal is also chair of the Department of English, Modern Languages, and Liberal Arts and director of the Honors Academy.

A member of Shorter’s faculty since 2008, Dr. O’Neal teaches courses in composition, creative writing, and British literature. She is the author of a poetry collection, The Way Things Fall. Her essays, poems, and articles have appeared in “San Pedro River Review,” “Kentucky Review,” “Cumberland River Review,” Intervarsity’s “The Well” and “Emerging Scholars Network,” and Cambridge Scholars Press (UK). Her poem, “When the Moon Tells Us of Losses,” was nominated for the Pushcart Prize by “Cumberland River Review.”

“We are extremely fortunate to have a professor and leader of Dr. Angie O’Neal’s caliber and Christian character at Shorter University,” said Shorter’s Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Donald Martin. “Her experience in academia and ministry has well prepared her as an exceptional role model and successful mentor of students and as an emerging leader among our faculty. Moreover, her commitment to excellence in both scholarship and creative writing is evidenced by her personal publications in the field of poetry. Through her vision and leadership, we fully expect her academic area to grow and flourish.”

Dr. O’Neal holds an undergraduate degree in English from the University of Georgia and the Doctor of Philosophy in English from Arizona State University, where she specialized in 18^th– and 19^th-century British literature. She is co-chair of Shorter’s QEP and an active member of Seven Hills Fellowship. Dr. O’Neal has presented at a number of conferences, including the International Conference on Romanticism, British Women Writers Conference, and a young women’s conference at Northrise University in Zambia. She has two daughters, Marin and Maeve.

Dr. Warfield, assistant professor of music and director of bands in Shorter’s School of Fine and Performing Arts, was presented with the 2018 Vulcan Materials Award for Teaching Excellence and Academic Leadership. The $1,000 cash award is given to a junior faculty member who displays strong campus leadership, creative course development, pioneering teaching methodology and instruction support along with model classroom teaching. The professor must also be helpful in advising students and illustrate a willingness to spend individual time with students in order to assist them academically.

Dr. Warfield conducts the Shorter Marching Hawks, Shorter Symphonic Winds, and the Hilltop Jazz Band. He teaches conducting, instrumental music methods, marching band pedagogy, and brass methods for students in the music education program. Prior to his appointment at Shorter, Dr. Warfield taught at Starkville Academy in Starkville, Mississippi, and led the orchestra at First Baptist Church in Starkville as the Director of Instrumental Ministries. Dr. Warfield has taught bands in Illinois, Iowa, and Mississippi.

“Dr. Duane Warfield has been superb as a music professor and director of bands,” Dr. Martin said. “He has a passion for motivating students to grow academically, professionally, and spiritually. Through the efforts of Dr. Warfield, our band is quickly becoming one of the foremost programs among faith-based institutions in the region.”

A native of Illinois, Warfield received the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education and the Master of Music in Music Education at The University of Iowa.  He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Eastern Illinois University.

Dr. Warfield is a member of several professional organizations including Pi Kappa Lambda, College Music Society, Society for Research in Music Education, National Band Association, National Association for Music Education, Mississippi Association of Independent Schools, and the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Band Division where he held the position of President for the 2015-2016 school year. Dr. Warfield lives in Rome with his wife, Dr. Tara Warfield, and their son, Eli.

Founded in 1873, Shorter University is a Christ-centered, four-year liberal arts university committed to excellence in education. U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review annually include Shorter on their lists of best Southeastern Colleges. The university offers traditional bachelor’s degrees in 40 areas of study, online courses and degree programs, undergraduate programs for working adults, associate’s, and master’s programs.