TROY —Ed Noriega is one of Troy University ’s best-traveled faculty members, having visited Sweden and the People’s Republic of China over the last two summers.

But it was Noriega’s leadership of his students in Troy , in addition to his academic service abroad, that led to his selection as the recipient of the Wallace D. Malone, Jr. Distinguished Faculty Award for 2005. Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., chancellor and Dr. Ed Roach, executive vice chancellor and provost, presented the award to Noriega on Monday at the annual faculty convocation held at the Trojan Center Theatre.

Designed to recognize those who have exhibited excellence through outstanding teaching, public service, publications and research, the Wallace D. Malone Award is presented annually to a full-time TROY faculty member. Recipients are first nominated by their deans, department chairs or their peers, and then selected by an award committee for the honor.

Full-time faculty members from any TROY campus or site are eligible for the award, which consists of a trophy, a $1,500 cash prize and a medallion to be worn with academic regalia.  The award is made possible through a $100,000 endowment by the SouthTrust Corp. Wallace Malone, former chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of SouthTrust, served as a TROY trustee from 1975-1995.

“Professor Noriega combines the best of traditional teaching methods with the latest technology,” Dr. Roach said in making the presentation. “His teaching helps students not only discover the creativity deep inside themselves but he also helps them bring it to the surface.”

Noriega said it was a “humbling experience” to receive the Malone Award.

“I see this not as a validation of what I’ve done but more as a reminder of what I need to do,” Noriega said. “I feel a tremendous responsibility. This award is something that I cannot take lightly.”

Noriega said he could not have won the award without the leadership of Jerry Johnson, chair of the Department of Art and Design.

“This award really belongs to Jerry Johnson,” Noriega said. “It is really important to me that he is recognized for his direction and support.”

Professor Noriega received his bachelor of fine arts degree from The Cooper Union, School of Art in New York City . He participated in the graphic design program at the Kunst Gewerbeschule in Basel , Switzerland and the Yale Summer Program in Graphic Design in Brissago , Switzerland . He joined the Troy University faculty in 2000, after serving eight years on the faculty of the Parsons School of Design in New York .

An Ozark resident, Noriega serves as the Director of the Center for Design, Technology and Industry at Troy University . His students have won numerous design awards in regional competition, including the “Addy” Awards sponsored by the Montgomery Advertising Federation.