BYU announced its annual faculty and staff awards and honors on Monday during the first day of the annual University Conference.
Curt W. Holman, a former ballroom world championship contestant and now the chair of BYU's Department of Dance, received the university's most prestigious honor, the Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Award.
The Maeser Award is reserved for a professor who has demonstrated clear superiority in both scholarship and teaching.
Holman also has been the artistic director for BYU's Ballroom Dance Company.
Holman "has elevated the university's global reputation in ballroom dance through innovative, award-winning choreography," according to the conference program.
The dance company recently performed for the king and queen of Thailand, with artistic direction from Holman.
"Highly regarded within the professional ballroom community, Holman is sought after by world-class cabaret couples," the program said. "Many have gone on to earn world championship titles while performing Holman's creative works. Holman's artistry continues to distinguish BYU as a leading force in the international ballroom dance arena."
Ben E. Lewis Management Award: Brandon Groves, Office of Information Technology.
Groves recently completed the largest IT project in the history of the Church Educational System of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The project retired 85 university systems and implemented the Workday finance and human resources system at BYU.
Fred A. Schwendiman Performance Award: Melanie Jensen, Physical Facilities.
Jensen maintains 16 Helaman Halls residence buildings, supervising more than 100 student employees.
Karl G. Maeser Professional Faculty Excellence Awards:
University Professorship Award: Matthew Farr Wickman, English, and founding director of the BYU Humanities Center.
Alumni Professorship Award: Miles Romney, School of Communication.
General Education Professorship: Melissa P. Larson, School of Accountancy.
Abraham O. Smoot Citizenship Award: John B. Bingham, Management.
Wesley P. Lloyd Award for Distinction in Graduate Education: Michael S. Drake, School of Accountancy.
Sponsored Research Recognition Award: Ryan Kelly, Chemistry and Biochemistry.