John. J Duffy Excellence in Teaching Award 2025: Steve Lownes
Steve Lownes, an associate professor of World Languages at USC Union, brings a dynamic, student-centered approach to teaching that challenges students to engage in open dialogue and thoughtfully defend their ideas. His pedagogy blends creative, collaborative, and reflective projects that connect coursework to students’ personal and professional lives, encouraging them to think critically, communicate effectively, and actively participate in their communities.
Since arriving at USC Union in 2019, Dr. Lownes has taught more than 13 unique courses across Spanish, Portuguese, and interdisciplinary programs. Across all levels, he is committed to humanizing the learning experience by fostering communication, cultural empathy, and interdisciplinary exploration.
Dr. Lownes extends learning beyond the classroom through innovative and relevant student engagement. In Summer 2024, he mentored two students through a PURE grant project examining “Live Translations of Languages in Multiplayer Videogames,” connecting language study to contemporary digital contexts. He also enriches campus culture through initiatives such as the PRAGDA Spanish Film Club, launched with a 2022 grant, which annually features Latin American films and facilitates campus-wide discussions on their themes.
In addition to his teaching and mentorship, Dr. Lownes served effectively as Chair of the Palmetto College Faculty Senate from 2024 to 2026, where he was a strong advocate for faculty across the system. His dedication to students, colleagues, and the broader academic community reflects a deep commitment to excellence in teaching, service, and leadership.
Chris P. Plyler Excellence in Service Award 2025: Brittany Taylor - Driggers
Brittany Taylor-Diggers, an associate professor of Art & Art History and Director of Campus Collections & Galleries at USC Lancaster, has made a significant impact through her dedication to advancing the arts and strengthening connections between the university and the broader community. Her work reflects a strong commitment to enriching cultural engagement while creating meaningful opportunities for students, artists, and the public.
In her role as Director, Professor Taylor-Driggers has significantly expanded community-facing programming. Over the past three years, she has co-organized eleven art sales and festivals showcasing Native American artists, coordinated five traveling exhibitions, and curated eight exhibitions alongside two public installations and two virtual exhibits. Together, these initiatives have amplified underrepresented artistic perspectives and strengthened USC Lancaster’s presence as a center for arts programming in the region.
Her dedication is especially evident in her work with the Native American Studies Center, where she collaborates closely with faculty, staff, students, and community partners such as the City of Lancaster and the Catawba Nation. Through these partnerships, she has helped promote local artists, enrich educational opportunities, and strengthen the university’s role within the community. Her efforts have also contributed to securing more than $90,000 in federal and local grant funding, supporting outreach initiatives, artist development, and the preservation and expansion of the Center’s collections.
In addition to her campus leadership, Professor Taylor-Driggers contributes extensively to cultural and academic initiatives throughout the wider community. She has served as a consultant for institutions including the Lancaster County Historical Courthouse Museum, The Charlotte History Museum, and the Columbia Museum of Art. Her leadership within the university includes roles in the USC Faculty Senate and Palmetto College Faculty Senate, while her external contributions include work with the South Carolina Military Museum and the South Carolina Arts Commission. Through these many roles, she continues to exemplify the value of service-driven scholarship and community engagement.
Denise R. Shaw Excellence in Scholarship Award 2025: Andrew Kettler
Andrew Kettler, an assistant professor of History and Director of Institutional Research and Academic Affairs at USC Union, is widely recognized for his dynamic and impactful scholarship. His work explores innovative dimensions of historical study, particularly through the lens of sensory experience. His acclaimed book The Smell of Slavery offers readers a profound examination of how sensory perceptions shaped cultural understandings of race and power, contributing to enduring forms of “olfactory racism” across Atlantic societies.
Additionally, Dr. Kettler is co-editor of The Routledge History of the Senses, a major interdisciplinary volume that assembles leading academics to examine how sensory experiences have shaped societies across time and place. Since 2022, he has published refereed articles in prestigious venues such as English Historical Review, Journal of World History, and the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Latin American History, among others.
In addition to his articles, Professor Kettler has made substantial contributions to the discipline through a wide range of scholarly outlets. His body of work includes seven book chapters, four review essays, six encyclopedia entries, and 32 book reviews. He is also a highly engaged member of the academic community, having presented, chaired, or contributed to 34 conference panels. His professional service is equally impressive, serving as book review editor for Sound Studies and H-Slavery, head editor for H-Atlantic and H-History-Theory, and as a member of the advisory board for Perspectives on Sensory History. He currently serves as President of H-Net, an international scholarly network with over 400,000 members.
Dr. Kettler’s continued scholarly momentum is reflected in his recent publications. In 2025, he released Disenchanting the Senses: Sulfuric Discourse and the World System, which examines how evolving meanings of sulfur and evil informed the development of early modern capitalism. Most recently, he co-authored The Once and Future Cow, an innovative study that explores how the agency of animals has shaped the economic, agricultural, and socio-political history of the Americas. Together, his work demonstrates a sustained commitment to expanding historical inquiry in creative and meaningful ways.
John. J Duffy Excellence in Teaching Award 2024: Susan Cruise
An associate professor of Sociology at USC Lancaster, Dr. Cruise holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Texas Woman’s University. Her compassionate and student-centered approach to teaching has prepared her students to become thoughtful and empathetic global citizens. In May 2022, Dr. Cruise, along with Dr. Angela Neal, led a transformative study abroad trip to Eastern Europe, which included a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. They not only provided an enriching educational experience but also demonstrated a profound commitment to service by raising nearly $20,000 to ensure all students could partake in this invaluable opportunity. As part of the course, the class brought 28 large suitcases filled with donations for war-displaced refugees, with numerous contributions raised by the Lancaster community.
Beyond her role as an educator, Professor Cruise is a devoted mentor who actively empowers her students. Thanks to her mentorship, a Lancaster student received a mini-Magellan grant of $1,000 for her project “Addressing Food Insecurity Among Students at the University Of South Carolina Lancaster.” Dr. Cruise fosters an atmosphere of mutual respect that encourages students to express their opinions, facilitating critical thinking and expanding their world view.
Chris P. Plyler Excellence in Service Award 2024: Bettie Obi Johnson
Dr. Johnson is a professor of Chemistry at USC Lancaster. She earned a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Georgia Institute of Technology. Professor Johnson’s service work encompasses all four areas: campus, system, community, and professional. Her impact is evident in her extensive contributions to faculty governance. She has played a vital role in shaping policies and initiatives through her service on the Palmetto College Faculty Senate, where she has also chaired the Faculty Welfare Committee. Additionally, she has served on numerous campus committees, including Tenure and Promotion, Athletics Advisory, Student Scholarship, and Native American Studies, which demonstrates her unwavering commitment to faculty and student success.
A devoted mentor and advisor, Dr. Johnson advises second-year students with majors in chemistry, biochemistry, pre-pharmacy, and engineering. Her dedication is reflected in the success of her advisees. Over the past four years, 9 of her advisees have been admitted into pharmacy schools. Professor Johnson has also served as a sponsor of the USC Lancaster Chemistry Club, which provides opportunities for students to socialize, learn, and network.
Professor Johnson’s commitment to expanding opportunities for students goes even further. She has been instrumental in bringing the SC LEND program to the Lancaster campus, a federally funded initiative that prepares future professionals to work with individuals with developmental disabilities. Thanks to her efforts, Lancaster seniors can now engage with SC LEND leaders and participate in hands-on clinical experiences.
Her passion for education also extends into the community. As an Upward Bound instructor, she has designed creative lab experiments that cover essential chemistry concepts in a fun and engaging way. Fostering an early interest in science, Dr. Johnson has also inspired young learners through hands-on experiments at local elementary schools during Community Career Day.
Professor Johnson’s professional service is equally impressive. She has served as a session judge and moderator for the South Carolina Academy of Science, the Southeastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, and for Discover USC. Further highlighting her dedication to advancing scientific knowledge, she has been a peer reviewer for esteemed journals, including the Journal of Chemical Education, Chemistry Africa, and Plant-Environment Interactions.
Denise R. Shaw Excellence in Scholarship Award 2024: Evan Nooe
Dr. Nooe earned a Ph.D. in US History from the University of Mississippi. He is an assistant professor of History at USC Lancaster and Historian for their Native American Studies Center. As one would expect for the recipient of the Shaw Award, Professor Nooe’s scholarly achievements are quite impressive. His book, Aggression and Sufferings: Settler Violence, Native Resistance, and the Coalescence of the Old South, has received prestigious recognition, earning the Anne B. and James B. McMillan Prize and the 2024 Best Book Award from the National History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta.
In addition to his book, Dr. Nooe has published in esteemed, peer-reviewed journals. His article, “It’s in the Blood:’ Settler Family Memories of Native Violence in the American South” was featured in History & Memory, a high-impact, international journal. Another article, “Making Florida History at Disney Springs: Florida's Past as Themed Tourism” appeared in the International Journal of Disney Studies, further highlighting his breadth of research.
Professor Nooe’s dedication to scholarly work is also evident by the acquisition of numerous grants, including USC’s Research Initiative for Summer Engagement (RISE) Grant and USC Lancaster’s Research and Productive Scholarship mini-Grant. Furthermore, Dr. Nooe’s contributions to the field of history continue to grow. He has several scholarly works in progress, including his forthcoming book, Florida Reveries: The Three Histories of Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs and the Re-Creation of Florida’s Past. Additionally, he is serving as co-editor for the upcoming book, More than Lost Causes: Settler and Indigenous Memory in the American South for which he is also writing an article entitled, “Consecrating the Hampton Massacre: Native Resistance, Settler Memory, and the Coalescence of South Carolina.”
John. J Duffy Excellence in Teaching Award 2023: Dana Lawrence
Dana Lawrence, an associate professor of English at USC Lancaster, is committed to
excellence through her innovative approach to course design. With attention to detail,
she crafts dynamic and continually evolving courses that offer unique and enriching
experiences for her students. By viewing writing as a process rather than a mere product,
Lawrence incorporates scaffolded assignments, multiple drafts, and pre-writing exercises,
guiding her students along a path to academic growth. In addition, she integrates
multimodal assignments to foster student creativity and deepen their engagement with
the course material.
Encouraging true student growth without the fixation on a single grade, Lawrence implements holistic grading and specifications/contract grading. To promote effective revision and student accountability, she emphasizes self-review over mandatory peer review. Additionally, she provides regular practice and feedback on low-stakes assignments to identify student struggles early on. Beyond her role as an educator, Lawrence serves as an active mentor and guide to her students. She facilitates independent research projects, has accompanied a student to present their work at the Children's Literature Association Conference, and has also assisted in expanding their paper for journal submission. Lawrence's commitment to excellence extends beyond the classroom, as she effectively integrates scholarship and teaching by presenting research, inspired by course materials and themes, at academic conferences. Furthermore, she is committed to continuous professional development, participating in metacognition-focused workshops to enhance teaching strategies and improve student learning outcomes.
Chris P. Plyler Excellence in Service Award 2023: David Dangerfield
An associate professor of History at USC Salkehatchie, David Dangerfield’s work spans
all four areas of service. His contributions to his campus include serving as Chair
of the Recruiting Committee, effectively engaging faculty in building community visibility,
and organizing faculty involvement in press releases and recruiting events. Additionally,
Dangerfield’s leadership as an informal chair and organizer for the Dean’s Advisory
Council meetings has been invaluable. He has made significant contributions to various
campus committees, including Academic Appeals and Petitions, Tenure and Promotion,
and Faculty Organization Award citations.
At the system level, Dangerfield has promoted faculty interests while serving on the
Palmetto College Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and, as Secretary, has actively
engaged in meetings and prepared thorough meeting minutes. Representing USC Salkehatchie
on the Palmetto College Provost's Academic Advisory Committee, he has been a strong
advocate for faculty and student concerns relating to tenure, promotion, and research.
His involvement in the GHS Carolina Core Specialty Team has been extremely valuable,
as he has collaborated on course assessment instruments and processes in preparation
for the SACS accreditation review. Dangerfield has also served on grant review committees
for the USC Vice President for Research EXCEL Grant program, contributing to the rigorous
evaluation and selection process.
In his community, Dangerfield has engaged in public-facing scholarship through public
lectures, community forums, and historical society talks, all in efforts to enhance
community outreach initiatives. He has generously devoted his time and expertise while
providing volunteer consulting services for local organizations such as the South
Carolina State Museum and the Allendale County SC250 Committee, supporting historical
research and interpretation endeavors. Furthermore, he has actively participated in
citizen advisory committees for the City of Barnwell, providing input on the distribution
of federal funds and community development projects. He has also moderated public
forums for the South Carolina Humanities Council's "Just Sharing" series, fostering
dialogue and engagement within the community.
Dangerfield’s professional service is equally impressive, serving as a book review editor for H-SC and making significant contributions to scholarly discourse within the academic community. In addition, his involvement with the EC Foundation Board of Directors has played a crucial role in supporting higher education initiatives and fostering alumni community engagement.
Denise R. Shaw Excellence in Scholarship Award 2023: Justin Mogliski
Justin Mogliski, an associate professor of Psychology at USC Salkehatchie, has demonstrated
a record of outstanding scholarship. Through his establishment of an innovative research
program focusing on evolutionary influences on intimate relationships, he has delved
into the intricate dynamics of human connection. His exploration spans various aspects,
from conflict resolution to moral decision-making, shedding light on individual differences
in relationship behaviors. One of Mogilski’s most significant achievements lies in
his development and validation of the Multi-Partner Relationship Maintenance Scale
(MRMS). This groundbreaking, comprehensive psychometric inventory was developed in
partnership with an international team of sexuality and relationship scholars. Mogilski
has also developed an online experimental diary study aimed at longitudinally assessing
the impact of educational interventions based on MRMS practices on relationship functioning.
This endeavor seeks to establish evidence for causality.
Furthermore, his scholarly output is nothing short of impressive, with eight manuscripts published in high-impact psychological journals and handbooks within the last three years, such as Evolution and Human Behavior and Frontiers in Psychology. Such publications, cited 889 times, have an h-index of 15, which places him in the top 1% of psychology faculty. In addition, his dedication to scholarly work is evident by the acquisition of seven competitive grants, including an ASPIRE-I: Innovation grant, and his submission of two NSF CAREER grants to further advance the boundaries of evolutionary psychology.
Mogilski’s extraordinary scholarship has not gone unnoticed. He received the Breakthrough Star Award from the USC Office of the Vice President for Research for his significant contributions to the field. Beyond academia, Mogilski's influence extends globally, with features through news outlets, podcasts, and invited talks at prestigious institutions and conferences worldwide, including HBES and NEEPS. He has also co-edited "The Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology and Romantic Relationships" with Dr. Todd Shackelford, which offers a comprehensive resource for researchers, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates. Mogilski's impact extends beyond his own research, as evidenced by his mentorship of four research assistants who have embarked on their own scholarly journeys. Through his guidance and support, each has received funding to support their research endeavors, including a Magellan Scholar Award, three USC Magellan Mini-grants, and a USC PURE grant.