January 11, 2002 UNT Inhouse publication: Special awards recognize longtime faculty members

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Special awards recognize longtime faculty members

There were 337 individuals, representing 4,785 years of service, honored at the annual Service Recognition Awards ceremony Dec. 13.

Among them were four faculty members recognized for longtime service to the university. James R. Sybert, serving on modified service as professor of physics, was recognized for 45 years of service. Honored for 40 years of service were Roy Busby, professor of journalism; J. William Turner, serving on modified service as associate professor of teacher education and administration; and Floyd Vest, serving on modified service as professor of mathematics.

Sybert earned bachelor's and master's degrees from UNT and a doctorate from Louisiana State University. He is the youngest individual ever to receive the 45-year award, having begun his full-time employment with UNT at the tender age of 21. In accordance with Sybert's special request, the university is making a contribution to scholarship funds in honor of longtime faculty members Peggy Richardson of the Department of Kinesiology and Jim Berry Pearson, a former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences who now works in the Department of History.

Busby earned bachelor's and master's degrees from UNT and a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. He has achieved one of the more diverse career records at UNT, having seen service not only as a faculty member, but also as an administrator in a variety of roles including vice president for University Relations, administrative assistant to the Board of Regents and director of Public Information. Busby also has served as minor professor or university member on more than 30 Ph.D. dissertations. He has been awarded Mortar Board "Top Prof" honors six times.

Turner earned bachelor's and master's degrees from UNT and a doctorate from the University of Missouri. Prior to returning to UNT as a member of the faculty, Turner spent three years as a high school English teacher in the Dallas Public School District. He is a recipient of the Mortar Board Top Prof designation and was also nominated for a Minnie Stevens Piper award.

Vest earned a bachelor's degree from East Central State College of Oklahoma, a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma and a doctorate from UNT.