Summary
With her appointment to the Catherine Mae Parker Centennial Professorship in Education at UT Austin, Dr. Cawthon has received one of the highest academic awards a university can bestow upon a faculty member.
In recognition of her achievement and leadership, Stephanie W. Cawthon, PhD, has been awarded an endowed professorship by The University of Texas at Austin — the highest academic award a university can bestow on a faculty member.
Dr. Cawthon has been appointed to the Catherine Mae Parker Centennial Professorship in Education — joining her previous appointments as Professor and Graduate Advisor in the Department of Educational Psychology, and she holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Special Education.
“Endowed appointments recognize the college faculty’s dedication to creating a dynamic academic environment and highlight the field-leading expertise and scholarly impact they bring to our community. Please join me in congratulating their outstanding accomplishments,” said Charles R. Martinez, Jr., Dean of the College of Education, when announcing the recognition.
“I am incredibly honored to be awarded this professorship that recognizes my work and impact,” said Dr. Cawthon. “As a disabled person who has defied the odds at every turn in my career, I am very gratified to reach a significant pinnacle in academia and show others that it can be done.”
An endowed professorship is an honor to the named holder of the appointment and also an enduring tribute to the donor who establishes it.
The Catherine Mae Parker Centennial Professorship was established in the early 1980s by the Robert L. Parker Foundation in tribute to Catherine Mae “Cissy” McDaniel Parker, who graduated from UT Austin in 1944 with a degree in education. The fellowship was founded to advance and enrich the teacher education programs.
Robert and Cissy Parker met as students on campus, married, and were avid and highly decorated UT Austin alumni. Cissy also served on the Advisory Board of the College of Education. She died in 2008.