Tomás Cotik received the inaugural Dean’s Council Award For Research and Scholarship. The award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate significant contributions to research, scholarship and/or creative activity at the national or international level. “Research is an essential part of the creative process,” says Leroy Bynum, Jr., dean of the College of the Arts. “Through their outstanding scholarship and creative performance, Professors Hole and Cotik contribute mightily to our understanding of the world and humanity’s place within it.” Assistant Professor Tomás Cotik has released seven new violin recordingsin the past three years, garnering international attention and reviews. Four months after its release, his recording of Mozart’s 16 Sonatas had been streamed over 1.5 million times on Spotify. This enthusiastic response speaks to the emotionalvibrancy he brings to classical music, both in recordings and live performance.