Professor Maria Girardi has been selected to receive the Michael J. Mungo Distinguished Professor of the Year Award. The Michael J. Mungo Distinguished Professor-of-the-Year award is the University of South Carolina's most prestigious award presented annually to an outstanding teacher of undergraduate studies.

The name of each award winner is engraved on a permanent plaque housed on the main floor of the Thomas Cooper Library and award recipients receive a check for $20,000 and a certificate.