HUTCHINSON, Kan. —The new Principal at Faris Elementary School has been recognized for excellence by Newman University.

Dan Ackland, who takes over as Faris principal in 2015-16, will receive the Newman University Graduate Education Outstanding Achievement Award for the Building Leadership Program. Ackland was selected by Newman’s graduate faculty as one of two recipients of the 2014-15 award. This year, Newman has more than 500 students in its graduate education programs.

Ackland currently is a fifth grade teacher at Valley Center Intermediate School. He will replace Denise Neighbors as Faris principal. Neighbors will retire at the end of the 2014-15 school year.