TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Dr. Stephen J. Thoma, professor and chair of human development and family studies at The University of Alabama’s College of Human Environmental Sciences, recently received national recognition, being named a recipient of the Association for Moral Education’s Kuhmerker Award.

The Kuhmerker Award, established by the founder of the Association for Moral Education, Lisa Kuhmerker, recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the AME organization and its goal of linking moral theory with educational practice. The award is accompanied by a $5,000 prize from the Gifts of Time Foundation.

Thoma was recognized for his outstanding contributions to moral psychology and moral education, particularly his collaboration with the University of Minnesota.

AME was founded in 1976 to provide an interdisciplinary forum for professionals interested in the moral dimensions of education theory and practice. It is dedicated to fostering communication, cooperation, training, curriculum development and research that links moral theory with educational practice.

The UA College of Human Environmental Sciences, the fastest growing academic division at UA, was established in 1931 as the School of Home Economics and was renamed in 1987 to reflect its growing curriculum. The College’s professional programs have been ranked in the top 20 by the Gourman Report, a rating of undergraduate programs in American and international universities.