Celebrating faculty excellence at 2026 Luminaries
By Andy Ober, University Marketing and Communications
Dozens of faculty members, postdoctoral scholars and research associates were recognized for their achievements in research, teaching, service and mentoring at the 2026 Luminaries: Outstanding Faculty Awards ceremony on Sept. 23 at Centennial Hall.
More than 170 employees and supporters gathered last week at Centennial Hall as the university celebrated faculty excellence at the sixth annual Luminaries: Outstanding Faculty Awards ceremony. Dozens of faculty at different stages of their careers were honored for research, teaching, leadership, service and mentorship in their fields and communities.
See moments from the ceremony and behind the scenes as the university community came together to celebrate this year's Luminaries in the gallery below.
Words from the honorees
"I was really truly humbled to be joining such an accomplished group of faculty who, to me, embody the University of Arizona's land-grant mission," said Brian Mayer, professor in the School of Sociology, in a video played at the ceremony. Mayer was among the recipients of the University Distinguished Outreach Faculty award.
Distinguished Department Head
Craig Aspinwall, department head and professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, was honored with the Distinguished Department Head award, and spoke about why she is proud to be a faculty member at the U of A.
“Not only do we have an ability to find new problems, but we have people here who are willing to work across and outside of their comfort zone, across their disciplines in order to solve real problems, to have a real impact,” Aspinwall said.
The full list of honorees is available in this Lo Que Pasa story.
Watch the videos below to hear what these awards mean to the honorees and why they are proud to be at the University of Arizona.