The Torch Awards Committee shall consider and recommend recipients for the Torch Awards: VIRES, symbolizing moral, physical, and intellectual strength; ARTES, symbolizing appreciation of beauty; MORES, symbolizing respect for customs, character, and tradition. These awards are presented annually by the Faculty Senate on behalf of the Faculty to recognize those persons who have made significant and sustained contributions to the University’s ability to fulfill its academic mission.
The Torch Awards Committee shall consist of no fewer than 7 and not more than 10 members, including ex officio members. Members of the committee shall be appointed by the Faculty Senate Steering Committee with the advice and consent of the Senate, for staggered three-year terms and shall include a mix of active and retired faculty. The Faculty Senate President shall appoint a member of the Faculty Senate Steering Committee to serve as an ex officio voting member of the Torch Awards committee; in addition, the President of the FSU Foundation, or his/her representative, shall be an ex officio voting member. The committee membership may recommend candidates to fill any vacancies that occur; vacancies shall be filled by the Faculty Senate Steering Committee.
The chair of the committee shall be appointed by the Faculty Senate Steering Committee from recommendations provided by the Torch Awards Committee membership. If possible, any new chair shall be appointed the Spring preceding the Award selection process.
The committee will accept nominations for the awards and shall recommend recipients for the awards to the Steering Committee, which shall have final confirmation. The letter of nomination should document the nominee’s accomplishments and contributions to the University’s ability to fulfill its academic mission. There may be multiple recipients for any or all 3 of the awards in any given year; it is also possible that not all 3 categories of award will be given each year. A Torch Award shall not be awarded to current employees of the university.
The Torch Awards Committee shall also be responsible for recommending recipients for the Fred L. Standley Distinguished Service Professor Award. This award is given from time to time for extraordinary service by a faculty member and has traditionally been conferred upon the retirement of the faculty member being honored. It is intended to be given rarely to someone who has gone far above and beyond the normal measure of service to FSU. The Committee may wish at its annual meeting to consider whether there is a viable candidate for the Standley Award; it may also accept nominations for the award, keeping in mind that this is not intended to be an annual award. Recommendations for recipients of the Standley Award will be transmitted to the Faculty Senate Steering Committee for confirmation.
The Committee may adopt additional procedures and standards as appropriate for fulfilling its charge.
Membership (2024 Memberships to be confirmed at Senate)
2022-2025
Leigh Edwards, Arts and Sciences
Kirby Kemper, Arts and Sciences
2023-2026
Marie Cowart, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Maxine Montgomery, Arts and Sciences
Anne Rowe, Arts and Sciences
2024-2027
Valliere Richard Auzenne, Motion Picture Arts
Jayne Standley, Music, Co-Chair (2024-2025)
Marilyn Young, Professor Emerita, Communications and Information, Co-Chair
Ex-Officio:
Nancy Smilowitz, FSU Foundation
Todd Adams, Faculty Senate Steering Committee