Three ARHU Professors Named 2025 Distinguished Scholar-Teachers

The faculty members have earned one of UMD’s highest honors for excellence in both scholarship and teaching.

By ARHU Staff 

Professor of History Robyn Muncy, Professor of Violin James Stern and Professor of Conducting and Ensembles Michael Votta, Jr., have been named 2025 Distinguished Scholar-Teachers at the University of Maryland.

Established in 1978, the Distinguished Scholar-Teacher Program honors a select group of faculty each year who have demonstrated notable achievement in both scholarship and teaching. The award recognizes faculty who lead by example—serving as models of excellence at a top research university. Recipients are selected by a panel of former honorees convened by the associate provost for faculty affairs.

Each Distinguished Scholar-Teacher delivers a public lecture on a topic within their academic discipline and receives a $5,000 honorarium to support professional activities. This year, five faculty members from across campus received the distinction.

Muncy is a leading scholar of 20th-century U.S. social policy, women's history and progressive reform. She is the author of “Creating a Female Dominion in American Reform,” co-editor of “Engendering America” and author of “Relentless Reformer,” a political biography of activist Josephine Roche. Muncy’s public scholarship includes guest curating the National Archives exhibit “Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote” and appearances on CNN and PBS. She formerly served on the board of the Labor and Working-Class History Association. A dedicated teacher, she is the recipient of a 2025 Winston Family Honors Faculty Award, which recognizes outstanding faculty advising, mentorship and supervision of UMD Honors students.

Stern is an acclaimed performer, educator and recording artist whose playing has been praised by the Washington Post for its “virtuosity and penetrating intelligence.” He has recorded the complete solo violin works by Bach for Albany Records and three albums of trio repertoire for Centaur Records. A Juilliard graduate, he has performed at major venues and festivals around the world. He is a founding member of the Stern/Andrist Duo and the ensemble Strata, both known for innovative programming and commissioning new works. At UMD, he coordinates chamber music and brings interdisciplinary creativity to performances—often appearing as performer, conductor and annotator.

Votta, who also serves as interim director of the School of Music, is recognized internationally for his dynamic leadership and visionary programming. As director of bands, he has led the UMD Wind Orchestra in performances at national and international conferences and in collaborations with artists such as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. He has commissioned more than 30 new works and taught conducting across the U.S., Europe and Asia. A published author and editor, Votta also serves as president of the College Band Directors National Association and has held leadership roles in multiple national arts organizations.

Learn more about the Distinguished Scholar-Teacher Program. 

Top image from left to right: Muncy, Stern and Votta.