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Collins Outstanding Professor Award

Collins Outstanding Professor Award

About the Award

The Collins Outstanding Professor Award is generously provided by the Carr P. Collins Foundation in order to recognize and honor outstanding teachers at Baylor University. Baylor's current senior class elects the Collins Outstanding Professor for each school year. The Collins Professor receives a cash award of $10,000 and recognition in university publications. The Collins Professor also delivers a special lecture on a subject of his or her choice. 

Governance

Class Officers, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, and the Office of Institutional Research at Baylor University

Frequency

This award is given annually each academic year. 

Nominations Process 

The Baylor senior class member will be invited to nominate faculty members for this award. Eligible top finalists will be voted upon by the senior class, which will determine the awardee. 

2026 Collins Outstanding Professor

Walter M. (Sparky) Matthews
Walter M. (Sparky) Matthews

Baylor University’s 2026 Senior Class has selected Walter M. "Sparky" Matthews, M.D., B.A. ’92, as the 2026 Collins Outstanding Professor.  Retired from the U.S. Air Force as the First Surgeon General (Acting) of the United States Space Force, Dr. Matthews returned to his alma mater in 2020 to teach in the Honors College as clinical professor and pre-medical mentor in the Honors Program.

Collins Award Lecture Video

Previous Awardees

Don Carpenter
2025
Lotte Bostick
2024
Thomas McGrath
2023
Mojgan Parizi-Robinson
2022
Paul Zinke
2021
David Moseman
2020
Jane Haas Damron
2019
Rebecca McCumbers Flavin
2018
Jonathan Tran
2017
Bruce E. Hodson
2016
Mark D. Jonklaas
2015
Paul M. La Bounty
2014
Timothy Thomasson
2013
Blair W. Browning
2012
Marcie Hannemann Moehnke
2011
William D. Hillis
2010
David W. Eldridge
2009
Mona M. Choucair
2008
Martha Colvin Agee
2007
Michael F. Korpi
2006
Maxey P. Parrish
2005
Susan Wallace
2004
Blaine McCormick
2003
Robert Jones
2002
Robert G. Packard
2001
Chris Kearney
2000
Rachel Moore
1999
D. Thomas Hanks
1998
F. Ray Wilson
1997
Randall O'Brien
1996
Rosalie Beck
1995
Joe Cox
1994

Office of the Provost

Pat Neff Hall, Suite 109
1320 S. 7th Street
Waco, Texas

One Bear Place #97014
Waco, Texas 76798

(254) 710-3601
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