Phi Kappa Phi Announces Mary Todd Sabbatical Award Recipient

Michael Martin, associate professor of English, modern languages, and cultural studies at Nicholls State University, has been selected by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi—the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines—as the recipient of the Phi Kappa Phi Mary Todd Sabbatical Award, according to a recent press release.

The $50,000 Sabbatical Award, named for former Society Executive Director, Dr. Mary Todd, honors one faculty member to support a sabbatical year or similar reassignments of duties. Martin plans to use the award funds as a reassignment of duties, providing release time from his teaching responsibilities so he can complete his book on Cherokee culture and beliefs.

“This Sabbatical has granted me the chance to revise what I hope is a groundbreaking monograph on Cherokee oral literature, place, and cultural memory,” said Martin.

The selection process for the Mary Todd Sabbatical Award is based on an applicant letter addressing the significance of the proposed research or other scholarly project and the relevance of the proposed activity in contributing to Phi Kappa Phi’s mission to cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning. The awardee is selected by a juried competition.

“We are honored to present Dr. Martin with this year’s Sabbatical Award,” said Society Executive Director and CEO Dr. Bradley R. Newcomer. “His unwavering commitment to scholarship and service reflects the heart of Phi Kappa Phi’s mission. We commend his perseverance and look forward to the meaningful impact of his research.”

The Sabbatical Award is one of the newest additions to the Society’s robust portfolio of award and grant programs, which gives more than $1 million each year to outstanding students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, funding for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate development, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

To learn more about the Society’s award programs, visit www.phikappaphi.org/awards. The application process for the 2026 Sabbatical Award will open in August 2026.