The West Virginia University College of Creative Arts has selected its annual faculty awards.

Each year, the college presents awards for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity; Outstanding Teacher; Outstanding Service; and Adjunct Faculty Excellence.

“One of the great pleasures of being dean is being surrounded by the energy of so many driven, passionate people,” said Keith Jackson. “Even in a crazy year like this, the faculty were able to display their remarkable talents in new and innovative ways.”

Hakeem Bilal, assistant professor of trombone, received the Excellence in Research and Creative Activity Award. 

In 2020, Bilal performed live with the Cleveland Orchestra and also performed on the orchestra’s deluxe CD album, “Schubert & Krenek,” and on its three-disc box set, “A New Century.” He performed twice with the Texas Christian University’s Trombone Ensemble, twice with the Alabama Symphony and throughout August with ensemble Alarm Will Sound in “Ten Thousand Birds” by John Luther Adams. Additionally, as a member of the ensemble Beauty Slap, Bilal performed at the Association of Performing Arts Professionals Conference in New York City, as well as recorded and produced a new single by Beauty Slap Entitled “Qualia.” 

Bilal’s other performances include another appearance at the Association of Performing Arts Professionals Conference in New York City with the ensemble C Street Brass. He also performed on the ensemble’s recording project, “Dances and Daydreams Live in Augmented Reality.”

In addition to his performances and recordings, Bilal is active in scholarly research and writing. He is working as editor of the manuscript, “Book of Arias: Bass Trombone (vol. 1),” which has been accepted for publication in 2021.

The College of Creative Arts Outstanding Teacher Award was presented to Maureen Kaddar, teaching assistant professor of dance.

Kaddar teaches five courses in dance,  consistently receiving excellent feedback from her students. When the pandemic sent classes online, Kaddar used the unfortunate circumstances to encourage and challenge her students to explore alternative spaces and to practice regardless of who was around.

Kaddar’s teaching philosophy is guided by the word fluid amidst the many pauses and resets witnessed during the pandemic. She spent a great amount of time making iMovies so her students could feel connected through their work.

Kaddar is a constant in the life of her students, not only helping them in the classroom but assisting them with finding summer intensives and administrative opportunities. She is an advocate for students physical and mental health. 

The School of Art & Design’s Shalya Marsh received this year’s Outstanding Service Award.

Marsh is a service assistant professor and the Mesaros Gallery manager. In 2020, she served as a committee member for the CCA Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee; the Juried Student Exhibition Committee; and the Visiting Artist Lecture Series Committee. Marsh was a host and ambassador for the Pandemic Proof Artist Series, co-moderating the Q&A for Jennifer Allen’s presentation.

Marsh organized and led the WVU Ceramics Sale as it went online during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also implemented new protocols for the Mesaros Galleries to ensure university and public access throughout the pandemic. Marsh organized group exhibition HomeWORKS and faculty exhibition Collects, and promoted them online so they could be viewed by all.

Outside of the college, Marsh served as a 2020 juror for the Regional Student Art Exhibition at the Stifel Fine Arts Center at Oglebay Institute. 

The Award for Adjunct Faculty Excellence went to Timothy DeWitt, in WVU’s School of Music.

“Tim is a consummate professional,” said Associate Professor Sandra Schwartz in DeWitt’s nomination letter. “I know I can count on him, and he is a model colleague. His investment in teaching is apparent in everything he does and students love him."

Last year, DeWitt stepped in as a sabbatical replacement and served as the applied trumpet professor in addition to his responsibilities teaching brass pedagogy.

“This transition was seamless and Tim brought new energy to the studio,” Schwartz said. “He engaged above and beyond what was expected of him, and he did so with enthusiasm and excitement - both of which permeated the trumpet studio.”