ARHU 2020 Service Award Winners Announced

Five exceptional members of the ARHU community received an annual service award.

By ARHU Staff 

Each year, the College of Arts and Humanities honors faculty, staff members and students who have demonstrated excellence through their service to their departments, the college and the university.

2020 ARHU Service Award winners: 

Tyler Knowlton, Ph.D. student in the Department of Linguistics | Graduate Student Service Award

Doctoral student Tyler Knowlton has become a leader in the University of Maryland’s Department of Linguistics, where he is actively involved in the Maryland Language Science Center (LSC). Last year, he helped organize the interdisciplinary workshop “Endless Possibilities: The Development of Possibility and Necessity in Cognition, Language, and Society” at LSC. Knowlton has also successfully mentored a number of undergraduate students and has coordinated community outreach around language science, including at area schools. Professor of Linguistics and Distinguished Scholar-Teacher Jeffrey Lidz, Knowlton’s adviser, called Knowlton “a constant visible presence who helps keep our standards, our energy level and our commitment to building an effective language science community at their peak.” 

Sarah Bonnie Humud, associate director of Honors Humanities | Faculty Service Award, Service to Department

Since graduating with a Ph.D. in English from UMD in 2019—during which she organized conferences, chaired the graduate student group and taught sections of various courses, among other activities—Humud has helped oversee Honors Humanities through a period of extensive growth. In just over a year, she has created programming and student internships, completely reinvented the program’s website and social media, managed the budget and developed her own course, Honors Humanities 106: “Arts & Humanities in Practice,” which focuses on environmental justice. Humud “is showing students that they can make a difference by employing the methodologies, disciplines and skills the humanities have to offer,” said doctoral student Justine DeCamillis, Honors Humanities graduate assistant. 

Madeline Zilfi, professor in the Department of History | Faculty Service Award, Service to College

A specialist in Ottoman history, Madeline Zilfi has been part of the faculty of the Department of History since 1976. In that time, she has successfully led efforts to build a Middle East Studies program at UMD and has served the department, college and university in numerous capacities, including as both associate chair and acting associate chair of the Department of History. Beyond her work on campus, Zilfi is on the editorial board of several of the leading journals in the field of Middle East studies. Associate Professor of History and Director of Undergraduate Studies Antoine Borrut called Zilfi an “open-minded colleague eager to develop new initiatives” as well as an “exceptional teacher, mentor and colleague.”  

Aaron Muller, senior assistant director for productions & operations in the School of Music | Staff Service Award, Service to Department 

Twenty years since Aaron Muller first stepped foot onto campus as a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in trumpet performance, he now oversees all aspects of productions, logistics, operations and facilities at the School of Music. In his role, he has a hand in nearly every activity at the school, from scheduling spaces and rehearsals, to leading soundchecks and setting up music stands. As the School of Music’s “frontline” worker during the COVID-19 crisis, he facilitated the delivery of seven Steinway & Sons pianos to students facing months of being unable to practice. “Quite frankly, it would be hard to imagine how the school might function without Aaron’s presence,” said Gregory Miller, the director of the School of Music. “His sense of devotion and selflessness are undeniable.” 

Jon Boone, assistant director of Academic Computing Services, Dean’s Office | Staff Service Award, Service to College

Jon Boone has been working for the College of Arts and Humanities since he was an undergraduate, and has been a full-time staff member since his graduation in 1993. As assistant director for technical services, he provides technical support to faculty and staff with a range of technology and computing needs, and does so with energy, cheer, skill and speed (and great jokes). Currently one of ARHU’s few “essential” workers, he works each day from his office in the attic of Francis Scott Key Hall. ARHU Assistant Dean for Academic Technology and Administrative Operations Kathleen R. Cavanaugh said Boone’s efforts “consistently go far beyond” expectations. Across campus, he is “frequently held up as a role model for IT staff…because of the personal connections he makes with faculty and staff,” she said. 

For more information on ARHU's service awards and to see previous winners, click here.