History Professor Elizabeth Kosmetatou named 2015 University Scholar at UIS

Elizabeth Kosmetatou, associate professor of History at the University of Illinois Springfield, has been named University Scholar for 2015.

The award, considered the university’s highest faculty honor, recognizes outstanding teaching and scholarship. Only one faculty member receives the annual award at UIS.

“Elizabeth has garnered praise from students as well as colleagues for her enthusiasm, energy, and creativity as a teacher, and for the encouragement she provides to her students,” said Lynn Pardie, UIS Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost.

Kosmetatou is regarded as an expert on the period in Hellenistic history between the deaths of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE and of Cleopatra VII in 30 BCE. Her scholarship involves the interdisciplinary study of the story of the Attalids of ancient Pergamon, the votives of the temple of Artemis, and the epigrams of the poet Poseidippus of Pella.

“The depth and range of Professor Kosmetatou’s scholarship is a testament to her many academic skills and strengths,” said Pardie. Some of those skills include expertise in several areas of specialization, such as the analysis of ancient coins, inscriptions, literary and historiographical texts, and ancient politics. She is also fluent in English, Modern Greek, Dutch, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Turkish languages, and she has a reading knowledge of classical Greek, Latin, Biblical Hebrew, Coptic, and Pharaonic Egyptian.

Kosmetatou has published multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and has additional work in progress, including projects titled The Votives in the Delian Artemision and History and Society in the Classical Period. She has also delivered numerous scholarly presentations at national and international conferences, organized international conferences in her field, and given invited guest lectures at universities in the U.S. as well as abroad.

At UIS, Professor Kosmetatou teaches courses online and on campus, and she received the Burks Oakley II Distinguished Online Teaching Award in 2012.

She obtained her doctorate in Classics from The University of Cincinnati. Previously, she served as a lecturer of Ancient History in the Department of History at Ohio State University. She has participated in numerous archaeological digs in Greece.

As University Scholar, Kosmetatou will receive $15,000 a year for three years to support research and other scholarly activities.

Faculty do not apply for this award; they are nominated by their peers. A committee of senior faculty makes the final selection.

For more information on the award, contact Derek Schnapp, director of public relations at 217/206-6716 or email dschn3@uis.edu.