Honors and Awards

Theodore Askounes-Ashford Distinguished Scholar Award

About the Award

Theodore Askounes Ashford, Ph.D. was the 13th person hired by USF. He was the founding Director of the Division of Natural Science and Mathematics (1960-71), the founding dean of the College of Science and mathematics (1971-73), the Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts (1966-71) and the first full professor of chemistry. His years of service have had a significant and lasting impact on the development of mathematics and all the natural sciences at USF.

Dr. Ashford came to USF in 1960 dedicated to building a national research university that was strong in the natural sciences. He recognized the potential for growth that was represented by the Tampa Bay area. He also had a vision of what a great university should be, and an understanding of the importance of research to achieving that greatness. Faithful to high standards of academic excellence, he pursued his vision vigorously by the recruitment of scholars with a pioneering spirit and by encouraging and facilitating their efforts to secure funding from granting agencies dedicated to supporting the sciences. Under Dr. Ashford's leadership, undergraduate and graduate programs began with conceptions and plans that took form step by step throughout the natural sciences and mathematics.

The sacrifice, vision, determination, brilliance and high standards of Theodore Askounes Ashford that laid the foundation for his own success in overcoming formidable obstacles in his early life also served the University well. Throughout his tenure as Director and Dean, Dr. Ashford worked with dedication, persistence, and creative intelligence on behalf of the departments in his Division, later in his College. The Theodore Askounes Ashford Distinguished Scholar award was established in 2008 to award an outstanding faculty scholar to honor the remarkable contributions to USF by Dr. Askounes Ashford.

The nomination for this award is appropriate for any member of the University of South Florida faculty, who has documented evidence of contributions that extend human consciousness, both intellectual and aesthetic. 

The Askounes Ashford Distinguished Scholar Award carries a cash award of $1,000 and continuing, full-time faculty at any of the USF campuses are eligible to receive the award. 

View the complete nomination procedure and nomination checklist, and notification of nomination form.

For the 2023-2024 AY :

Completed notification of nomination forms should be submitted to the Faculty Senate Office (fsenate@usf.edu) by 5:00 p.m. on December 6, 2023.

Nomination packets for all awards must be submitted in a single PDF to the Faculty Senate Office (fsenate@usf.edu) by 5:00 p.m. on January 19, 2024.