On April 8th, during the annual Faculty Awards, three outstanding CFA faculty members were recognized for their exemplary contributions to the areas of scholarship, creative works, and service. Kevin Wetmore, professor of Theatre Arts and MFAPP program director, received the Rains Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Works; Leon Wiebers, professor of costume design and chair of Theatre Arts, received the Rains Award for Excellence in Service; and Romy RW, assistant professor of Communication Studies, received an LMU Ascending Scholar Award, reserved for distinguished pre-tenure faculty.
Kevin Wetmore’s books and articles in a variety of disciplines were celebrated, but his work as artistic director for “Shakespeare on the Bluff” and the annual “Haunting of Hannon” event in the library — written, directed, and produced by Wetmore — were significant factors in his selection for the award. Notably, those projects reach out into the local community and provide opportunities for involvement from students, alumni, and other arts professionals.
“While my performance work is all collaborative, the other side of my work — the research, the writing, the process of taking an idea through years of thought, and the publication process until a book emerges at the other end, can be very solitary. This award reinforces the idea that scholars ultimately are part of a much larger conversation, not just in their field, but with the culture and society at large,” said Wetmore.
Leon Wiebers, current Faculty Senate president, was recognized for his excellence in service. He holds leadership roles in various projects, including the compensation initiative currently underway; the learning space assessment group, which evaluates classrooms on campus; updating and renovating spaces in the theatre program; and hosting the upcoming 51st Annual National Symposium for the Costume Society of America at LMU from June 1-5, 2025. “Service is an important aspect of LMU’s culture and mission. It is satisfying when that work improves the working conditions of my colleagues,” said Wiebers.
Romy RW, a rising scholar in communications studies, was recognized for leading the project “Impact of Racial Media Representation in Mobile Communication on College Students’ Mental Health,” which she received a research grant for from the Media, Arts & a Just Society program. RW worked alongside three outstanding undergraduate research assistants, exploring how podcasts can serve as a meaningful communication strategy to support the mental health of college students, particularly those from racially minoritized backgrounds. This project not only contributed to advancing media justice, but also created mentorship and research opportunities for students.
“Winning the 2025 LMU Ascending Scholar Award is an incredible honor that affirms the scholarly path I am building — one that centers interdisciplinary research, student collaboration, and social impact. It recognizes the commitment I’ve made to advancing justice-oriented scholarship in communication studies. This award also reflects LMU’s support of emerging scholars whose work contributes not only to academic disciplines but also to the public good. I see it as both a milestone and a motivation to continue deepening the reach and relevance of my research — for my students, for the university, and for the communities we seek to serve,” said RW.
