As part of the University of Montevallo’s Founders’ Day tradition, deserving faculty are annually honored for their achievements and work to better the University.
For her more than 20 years of teaching at UM, the University faculty senate selected Professor of History Ruth Truss of Clanton, Alabama for the 2016 Faculty Service Award.
The award recognizes a faculty member who consistently commits time outside of the classroom to serve the University of Montevallo and local community.
According to former Faculty Senate President Stefan Forrester, Truss is a “University institution” who deserves the award because of how she “makes UM a better university for all of us, students and her faculty colleagues alike.”
Outside of being a professor, Truss has served as the chair for the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences since 2012.
In this role, she is often tasked with administrative duties to ensure her colleagues have the necessary materials to properly teach their courses, in addition to her own classroom responsibilities.
Truss also currently claims roles on the McNair Scholarship Advisory Board, University Writing Committee, Alumni Committee and is faculty advisor to four different student organizations.
Her previous roles include positions on various employment search and course review committees.
Truss was honored with a plaque during the University’s 120th Founders’ Day ceremony on Oct. 13. She kept her acceptance speech to a quick thank-you.