Awards and rewards
The annual faculty awards presentation on Feb. 10 included a few surprises and much heartfelt kudos as recipients garnered praise for their teaching and research efforts.
The Association of Former Students’ president, Marty Holmes ’87, delivered two Distinguished Achievement awards for the college level from Texas A&M University, while the College of Dentistry gifted four awards of its own to deserving faculty. These faculty awardees share their insights into who and what inspires them most:
Dr. Reginald Taylor
- Distinguished Teaching Award
- Clinical Faculty Research Award
Teaching at Texas A&M College of Dentistry since: Aug. 1, 2000
What motivates you to excel: The students motivate me to excel. Lecturing is not the only way to teach future colleagues. One must also teach by example. In my opinion, there is no better way to teach excellence than by attempting to exhibit it in your daily tasks and interactions.
Favorite part of your day-to-day: The favorite part of my day-to-day is interacting with the students. In an environment such as the College of Dentistry, where you are constantly surrounded by high-achievers, the exchange of knowledge is not unidirectional. Everyone here has different experiences and points of view. This gives us an opportunity to learn from one another and expand our views of the world. This open-mindedness allows us to take facts and theories and apply them to a larger world. That is true learning.
Most rewarding part of your work: The most rewarding part of my work is the “light bulb” moment. That is, the time when someone gets it; they understand the concepts that are being conveyed.
Dr. Qian Wang
- Basic Science Faculty Research Award
- Distinguished Achievement Award, College Level, Texas A&M Association of Former Students
Teaching at Texas A&M College of Dentistry since: 2015; 2003 to 2006
What motivates you to excel: The love of science and trying to be a role model to my children in pursuit of true knowledge that will benefit the well-being of humans. I feel lucky to be in an environment that encourages me to deepen my research field while expanding the research horizon.
Favorite part of your day-to-day: Making discoveries and interacting with colleagues and 
students to be enlightened and to enlighten.
Most rewarding part of your work: Seeing my research findings being applied in dentistry, discoveries spreading to the world to enrich our understandings of humans’ past and present, and other people’s research inspired by my studies and initiatives. Being recognized for excellence in both teaching and research at Texas A&M College of Dentistry.
Dr. Shaun Logan
- Teaching Excellence Award
Teaching at Texas A&M College of Dentistry since: May 2015
What motivates you to excel: I’ve always prided myself in being thorough; giving a good product; doing good work. This too applies to how I approach teaching and research. I am here to do a job and I want to do it to the best of my ability. I live by the mantra “to whom much is given, much is required.”
Favorite part of your day-to-day: As a faculty member who does teaching and research, I really enjoy the diversity of my routine. I am able to engage with students and colleagues about an array of lecture material and research projects, making my day-to-day very dynamic.
Most rewarding part of your work: One thing I never anticipated—nor can I still find the words to fully articulate—is the joy that comes with seeing students matriculate through the curriculum, recite information/facts from lectures years later, pass board exams and eventually become practicing clinicians and educators. To be a part of that growth is one of the most humbling and rewarding feelings ever.
Maureen Brown, RDH
- Distinguished Achievement Award, College Level, Texas A&M Association of Former Students
Teaching at Texas A&M College of Dentistry since: January 2010
What motivates you to excel: My dental hygiene students motivate me to excel. Every day at least one student amazes me by their insight and inquisition. Students look to me for answers, and I try hard to have up-to-date knowledge to provide them.
Favorite part of your day-to-day: I love seeing and interacting with my Texas A&M family. The end of each clinic session is my favorite part of my day. Discussing with my students what went well or what could be improved upon gives me such insight into who the student is on a personal level.
Most rewarding part of your work: Feeling like I am changing the future for the good by instilling my knowledge to my students is the most rewarding part of my work.