UT Music’s Melinda Crecelius-Lanham and James Fellenbaum Honored at 2024 Honors Banquet
Melinda Crecelius-Lanham, Director of Advising, and James Fellenbaum, Associate Professor of Conducting and Director of Orchestras, were celebrated on Wednesday night at the 2024 University of Tennessee’s Honors Banquet.
Each spring, UT takes the opportunity to acknowledge academic and professional excellence. These awards spotlight individuals who embody the Volunteer spirit through remarkable research and creative endeavors, impactful contributions to campus life, and exemplary leadership and service, both within the university and beyond.
Crecelius-Lanham was honored for her Excellence in Advising, a distinction bestowed by the Office of the Chancellor and the Teaching Council of the Faculty Senate to honor outstanding advising work. Melina serves as the inaugural Director of Advising for the COM.
“Being a Volunteer means stretching yourself and stepping beyond the bounds of comfort to gain a deeper understanding of self and the world. In doing so, we are better equipped and ready to support others in doing the same. The breadth and depth of UT’s investment in student success is unlike any other that I’ve seen elsewhere,” said Crecelius-Lanham.
Fellenbaum, Associate Professor of Conducting and Director of Orchestras, received the Research and Creative Achievement honor. This award recognizes senior faculty members for their excellence in research, scholarship, and creative achievement. Fellenbaum not only oversees and conducts the Orchestra program but is also the Resident Conductor of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, the Music Director of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor of Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, and Artistic Director of the Brevard Philharmonic, NC.
“Since I joined UT, the sense of community, resources, excellent and supportive leadership, and outstanding faculty colleagues have allowed me to flourish as a conductor and develop the UT Orchestra Program to become an example of performance and education excellence. Being a Vol has meant a lot to me – I get to share my love of music, I am blessed with a wonderful family that started here in Knoxville, and I look forward to contributing back to a community that has given me so much,” said Fellenbaum.
Those interested in learning more about the Academic Honors Banquet and various awards can visit the Academic Honors Banquet website.
Special mention: We would also like to congratulate Joesph Beller, a UT senior double majoring in Physics and Applied Music, for being honored as the 2024 Undergraduate Researcher of the Year for his work in the UT Physics department.