University of North Texas 
Pictured: Nicole Foran, chair, Department of Studio Art; left, Karen Hutzel, dean
of the College of Visual Arts and Design; Dornith Doherty, professor of Studio Art:
Photography; Holly Hutchins, vice provost for faculty success; Lynette Gillis, president
and CEO of the UNT Foundation; Michael McPherson, UNT provost; and Doherty's students
in the foreground.
Dornith Doherty receives UNT Foundation Eminent Faculty Award
Feb. 11, 2026: A recent classroom visit brought welcome news for several University
of North Texas faculty members, as university leadership and the UNT Foundation surprised
this year’s recipients of the UNT Foundation Faculty Awards — among the university’s
highest honors recognizing excellence in teaching, research and service.
Among this year’s honorees, Dornith Doherty, University Distinguished Research Professor, received the Eminent Faculty Award. The annual award includes a one-time payment of $15,000, a commemorative engraved
gift, and the distinction of Eminent Faculty.
In this tribute video, Doherty shares how nature inspires her and her passion for mentoring the next generation
of artists.
Additional award recipients included Paul Hensel, professor of political science, who received the Faculty Leadership Award; Brian Richardson, professor of communication studies, who received the Community Engagement Award;
and Nazia Khan, principal lecturer of teacher education and administration, who received the Outstanding
Lecturer Award.
An internationally recognized artist and scholar, Doherty has played a significant
role in advancing the field of photography while shaping generations of artists and
researchers at CVAD during her more than 30 years at UNT. A 2012 Guggenheim Fellow
and 2016 Texas State Artist of the Year, her work explores ecological and philosophical
questions surrounding biodiversity, climate change and the interconnectedness of human
and natural systems. Since 2008, Doherty has collaborated with scientists at seed
banks, botanical gardens and research institutes worldwide, translating scientific
research into poetic visual forms through photography, video and large-scale installations.
Her work has been exhibited internationally and is held in numerous permanent collections,
with exhibitions ranging from the National Academy of Sciences Art Gallery in Washington,
D.C., to the Jardín Botánico de Medellín. A 60-foot-tall permanent installation commissioned
for Michigan State University’s new Plant and Environmental Sciences building is scheduled
for completion in June 2026, and she is currently collaborating with scientists at
the New York Botanical Garden’s Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research on
a project that will be presented in New York and Texas.
In 2025, the Society for Photographic Education recognized Doherty’s career achievements
with its Insight Award, further affirming her impact across art, science and education.
Equally influential in the classroom, Doherty is known for mentoring students and
early-career faculty while fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity and creative
rigor within CVAD. Her students regularly earn competitive fellowships and awards
and go on to successful careers across the arts, industry and academia. Her mentorship
model has also helped strengthen community and collaboration among faculty across
the college.
The UNT Foundation Faculty Awards recognize faculty members whose sustained accomplishments
elevate the university through teaching, scholarship and service. Recipients receive
a commemorative medallion and monetary award.
Doherty and her fellow honorees will be formally recognized at the Salute to Faculty
Excellence Awards Celebration on April 16, alongside faculty award recipients from
across the university.
Read about Doherty's upcoming exhibition: "Texas Women Artists: 1946–2025," Feb. 14–March 21, 2026, at the PDNB Gallery in Denton.
Read about Doherty's upcoming exhibition: "Texas Women Artists: 1946–2025," Feb. 14–March 21, 2026, at the PDNB Gallery in Denton.