Mortyakova chosen for Kossen Faculty Excellence Award
Dr. Julia Mortyakova, professor of music and chair of the Department of Music at Mississippi University for Women, was announced as the Kossen Faculty Excellence Award recipient at the Spring Commencement Ceremony Friday, May 9.
“Dr. Julia Mortyakova came to The W as a department chair in 2012 and has greatly elevated the profile of the Department of Music and of The W through a combination of professional excellence as a pianist and the recognition that her department’s academic programs play a key role in the University’s strategy for building community connections,” said Dr. Brian Anderson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
The Kossen Award recipient must be a meritorious tenured faculty member of The W who has exhibited excellence in teaching, scholarly or artistic achievement and service, preferably on campus and in communities, throughout The W’s service area.
“I’m very grateful for this honor, because I love this university and all of the students I have had the great privilege of teaching in my years here,” Mortyakova said. “It also means a great deal that this award is from Drs. Connie and Tom Kossen because Connie Kossen is a music alumna who has had a wonderful career as a musician and has made such a great impact on our region, but of course also on The W.”
Drs. Connie (’64) and Tom Kossen established the Kossen Faculty Excellence Award endowment. Every year, the endowment funds a $6,000 award to recognize an outstanding faculty member.
Mortyakova joined The W as a faculty member in 2012. At the university, she has served on the Teacher Education Council, Council of Chairs and Cultural Affairs Committee, among others. She is a member of the National Association of Schools of Music, where she was recently re-elected for a second term on the Commission on Accreditation.
Mortyakova also founded the Music by Women international festival at The W, which just completed its ninth year. The event features performances of new and historic music written by female composers.
Mortyakova earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Miami, Master of Art in Music Performance from New York University and Bachelor of Music from Vanderbilt University.
The Kossen Faculty Excellence Award recognizes the achievements of individuals through many years of service to The W. Faculty, staff, students, alumni and members of the community can nominate candidates.