Fazilat Soukhakian, an associate professor of photography at Utah State University, was recently honored as the 2025 Honors Outstanding Professor by the University Honors Program. USU Today reports that a student committee, motivated by the impressive pool of faculty nominated by their peers, chose Soukhakian, following the program's guiding principle, Sapere aude, or "Dare to Know," from the poet Horace.
Acknowledging her work, Hazel Harris, one of the co-chairs of this year's student-run Honors Last Lecture selection committee, highlighted that Soukhakian's photography projects emphasized untold stories of ordinary people from various backgrounds, stating, "One main point was that, at the end of the day, we share much more than we know," as per USU Today. This sentiment echoed the committee's decision, as she was noted for her capacity to resonate with students from all disciplines, furthering the University Honors Program’s interdisciplinary goals.
Soukhakian, who began her journey as one of the few female photojournalists in Iran, credited her artistic voice to the complexities of Iran's social and political environment. Her works delve into themes of identity, justice, and human connection, a narrative that has remained consistent even after her move to the United States in 2011. Following her relocation, she acquired a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Cincinnati and a Ph.D. in architectural history, subsequently joining the faculty at Utah State University.
According to USU Today, Soukhakian expressed her connection to the art students at USU, saying, "I was deeply moved by the work of our art students. Despite being in sometimes challenging environment socially and politically, these students were interested in creating art that truly mattered, art that was personal, purposeful, and connected to the world around them." Her recognition from students underscores both her intimate approach to education and her commitment to her field.
In conjunction with her accolade, Soukhakian is set to deliver the 50th annual Honors Last Lecture this fall, as reported by Utah State University Today. Kristine Miller, the University Honors Program Executive Director, explained that the honoree is chosen by a student committee, where the elected professor is invited to conceive a "Last Lecture." Miller remarked on the prestige of this selection and the excitement surrounding Soukhakian's upcoming lecture.
