FSU Torch Award The award is named after the three torches on the seal of Florida State University. Each torch represents one Latin word of the school's motto: Vires, embodying moral, physical and intellectual strength; Artes, expressing an appreciation of aesthetics and the beauty of intellectual pursuits; and Mores, exhibiting respect for customs, character and tradition.

History The actual name of the award is Faculty Senate Torch Awards, established in 1996 as a means for the faculty to honor the friends of FSU who have made sustained and significant contributions to the university's ability to fulfill its academic mission. Initially, the Faculty Senate presented the awards at the Annual Faculty Awards Ceremony held at the end of the school year. A few years later, the event was moved to the Fall as part of the Fall Faculty Meeting. In 2012, the university administration suggested raising the prestige of the award by funding a special awards dinner including the Provost.

Committee Committee membership consists of no more than 10, but at least 7 members, including Ex officio members. The President of the Faculty Senate appoints committee members. Appointees must be a combination of retired and active faculty. One or more members must be on the Faculty Senate Steering Committee (FSSC). The President of the FSU Foundation or their representative is Ex officio but has voting rights. Committee members serve a term of three years except for the FSSC member. Committee members may make recommendations to fill vacancies and recommend a chairperson for the Torch Awards Committee to the FSSC.

The committee accepts nominations and recommends recipients for the awards to the FSSC, which has final approval. The letter of nomination should document the nominee's contributions and accomplishments that support the university's ability to effectuate its academic mission. There need not be recipients for all categories of the award, but there may be multiple recipients for any or all categories in a given year. Current university employees are not eligible for a Torch Award.

In addition, the Torch Awards committee is responsible for recommending possible candidates for the Fred L. Standley Distinguished Service Professor award which is given for extraordinary service to Florida State University by a faculty member. It is only given occasionally (not yearly) for exceptional candidates. As of 2025, it has been awarded five times.

Torch Award recipients Year Vires awards Artes awards Mores awards 2024 Joseph (Joe) Torgesen Andre Thomas Allen Durham Bill Durham 2023 Benjamin CrumpCharles (Charlie) Nam Les & Ruth Akers Robert (Bob) Howard none 2022 Vasken HagopianClifford MadsenPatricia Yancey Martin none Janet StonerAlicia Crew 2021 Dr. Gregory J. Beaumont Ginger Wetherell Warrick D. Dunn 2020 Fred H. FlowersDoby Lee Flowers Dorothy Chao Jenkins Paula Peters SmithWilliam Godfrey Smith II 2019 Sean Pittman Howard TibbalsCharles & Persis Rockwood Valliere Richard Auzenne 2018 Melvin Stith, Jr.Charlie Ward, Jr. Don GibsonBarry Jenkins Mark & Nan Hillis 2017 Kirby KemperJan Moran none Guy SpearmanAsh Williams 2016 Paula Fortunas Davis Gaines David Stanford Warmath 2015 Anne Rowe none Charles EhrhardtHarold Knowles 2014 Mark EllisJim Jones Lucy Ho Debra Brock 2013 Marie E. Cowart Richard R. Portman Fred L. StandleyNancy A. Turner 2012 Fred LeysiefferMarilyn Young Lynda Keever Stella Cottrell 2011 John E. Thrasher John M. McKay Maxwell Carraway, Jr.Patrick Hogan 2010 James C. Smith none Sherrill Williams Ragans 2009 Joseph L. Camps Florence H. Ashby James C. Smith 2008 Clifford R. Hinkle JoAnn Blackwell Betty Lou Joanos 2007 Frankie Strickland Don Ungurait Leo Sandon, Jr 2006 Wayne Minnick Carlisle FloydGregory Choppin James MeltonBernard and Greta Sliger 2005 Charlotte MaguireRussell Kropp Sarah Jane Alexander Beverly SpencerSeminole Tribe of Florida 2004 Ken Van Assenderp Mart Hill Steve EdwardsJoseph Hiett 2003 Carl Blackwell none Milton Carothers 2002 Ray Solomon Nancy Smith Fichter Betty L. HarrisonSarah L. MarxsenMary Lou NorwoodShirley R. Tellander 2001 John E. ChampionMary L. Champion Richard G. Fallon Daisy Parker Flory 2000 Robert M. JohnsonC. David Smith Jeffrey Shaara Don Veller 1999 Lynette Thompson Wiley and Lucilla Housewright DuBose Ausley 1998 Gus A. Stavros none Jessie Ball duPont FundMart Hill 1997 Godfrey SmithGeorge Langford William Rogers Kitty Hoffman

See also

Florida State Seminoles History of Florida History of Florida State University List of Florida State University people List of presidents of Florida State University List of Florida State University honorary degree recipients

References