Florida State University’s Faculty Senate honored four members of the academic community with Torch Awards in a ceremony on Thursday to acknowledge their contributions towards enhancing the university’s educational mission.
Founded in 1996, the Torch Awards derive their name from the three torches depicted on the FSU insignia. These accolades celebrate: Vires, symbolizing moral, physical, and intellectual fortitude; Artes, representing an appreciation of the aesthetic and the beauty found in intellectual endeavors; and Mores, denoting respect for customs, character, and tradition.
Since their establishment, the Torch Awards have honored 111 recipients.
This year, FSU acknowledged: Joe Torgesen, André Thomas, along with the father-son team of Bill and Allen Durham, for their influence on the university and the wider community.
FSU President Richard McCullough initiated the ceremony at the Heritage Museum in Dodd Hall by recognizing the contributions of the honorees: “You embody the values that Florida State University upholds, and we are grateful for everything you have done to shape the university into what it is today.”
The 2024 distinguished recipients are:
Joe Torgesen — Vires
Joe Torgesen, an emeritus professor of psychology and education at FSU, earned the Vires Torch Award for his innovative work in literacy and reading disabilities.
Torgesen held the W. Russell and Eugenia Morcom Chair of Psychology and Education at FSU until he retired in 2008. He has written or co-written over 230 publications, and his research has been cited more than 54,000 times. His pioneering studies on reading disabilities and dyslexia have influenced the way educators and researchers comprehend and address literacy education globally.
In 2002, at the request of Gov. Jeb Bush, Torgesen established the Florida Center for Reading Research at FSU. The center has grown to become one of the foremost institutions in the world for literacy research.
“Dr. Torgesen’s contributions have transformed the lives of many, and his influence continues to motivate educators and researchers worldwide,” mentioned FSU Provost Jim Clark during the ceremony.
André Thomas — Artes
André Thomas, professor emeritus and previous director of choral activities at FSU, received the Artes Torch Award for his significant contributions to the arts.
Thomas has dedicated over three decades to elevating FSU’s choral program to international acclaim. Alongside his leadership at FSU, he founded the Tallahassee Community Chorus, uniting students and community members in a collective tribute to music.
His passion for choral music and mentorship has inspired many generations of students and colleagues. His influence persists in the realm of music education both nationally and internationally.
“His legacy lies in his outstanding mentorship within the College of Music and the vibrant community he has helped nurture,” Clark stated.
Bill and Allen Durham — Mores
Bill Durham, an FSU graduate and businessman from Tallahassee, along with his son Allen Durham, were collectively acknowledged with the Mores Torch Award for their steadfast dedication to Florida State University and their involvement in establishing and maintaining one of FSU’s most renowned traditions: Osceola and Renegade.
During the 1960s, as a member of the Marching Chiefs and the homecoming committee, Bill Durham envisioned the concept of Osceola and Renegade. His aspiration was to create a noble and respectful depiction of the Seminole leader Osceola, mounted on an Appaloosa horse named Renegade, to epitomize the strength of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The tradition was inaugurated in 1978 and has grown to symbolize FSU’s spirit.
Now retired, Bill has entrusted the legacy to his son Allen, a 1993 FSU graduate, who has continued the tradition. As the eighth student to embody Osceola, Allen has trained students in this character since 1999. Under Allen’s guidance since 2007, the legacy of Osceola and Renegade has flourished, strengthening the bond between FSU and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
Clark remarked that their contributions exemplify the finest values of FSU: respect for tradition, collaboration, and a commitment to promoting cultural awareness.
The recent establishment of FSU’s Native American and Indigenous Studies Center highlights the Durhams’ enduring impact, according to Clark.
