Leslie Parr, A. Louis Read Distinguished Professor in Communication, was the recipient of the Dux Academics award this year.

The annual award, given at the President’s Convocation, honors an outstanding faculty member who has educated students in away that is above and beyond Loyola’s standard for a Jesuit education.

Receiving the award for the first time, Parr said that it was an unexpected honor to receive it.

“Winning the Dux award means a lot to me. I was very surprised, but also very happy. It was a very nice tribute from my colleagues and the university,” Parr said.

Parr is the journalism sequence head for the School of Mass Communication  and has taught photography, documentary photography, photojournalism and history of journalism and photography.

When not in the classroom, Parr has worked as photojournalist in the city and has published three books.

However, in the classroom, Parr has a reputation among students as a very demanding, yet rewarding, professor.

Nick Ducote, mass communication senior, has taken Parr’s history of journalism and history of photography classes and is currently taking her photography class this semester.

He said while students may not realize it at the moment, Parr’s tough love is what make her students great.

“Dr. Parr is one of those professors that does not want her time to be wasted. She’s a tough teacher, but at the end of the day, you’re going to be a better photographer,” Ducote said. “She will prepare you for the real world, as both a student and person overall.”

Parr is well respected among the Loyola community, which showed in her recognition among fellow faculty members.

Sonya Duhé, director and professor for the School of Mass Communication, is one of the many faculty members that who admires Parr and all the work she has done for the school.

“Dr. Parr is an amazing faculty member who excels in all areas. Her teaching, research and service are stellar, and she is most deserving of this award,” Duhé said.