Home Faculty and Staff Honors and Awards Distinguished University Professorships Distinguished University Professorships In 1947 the Regents established the Distinguished University Professorships, the University’s most prestigious professorships, to recognize senior faculty with exceptional scholarly and/or creative achievements, national and international reputations for academic excellence, and superior records of teaching, mentoring, and service. Faculty selected for this recognition, in consultation with the dean of the school or college in which they hold an appointment, name the Professorship after a person of distinction in his or her general field of interest, preferably a person formerly associated with the University. The duration of the appointment is unlimited and the title may be retained after retirement. Newly appointed Distinguished University Professors deliver an inaugural lecture during the first year of appointment. General Information Eligibility Nominees must have the rank of full professor. Nominations of outstanding women, minorities and members of other groups historically underrepresented in their disciplines are encouraged. Selection Criteria Nominees must be recognized nationally and internationally for scholarly achievement in their field of study and/or creative endeavors, for having broad scholarly interests and originality as scholars, for superior teaching skills and for excellence as a mentor to graduate students and junior colleagues Number of Awards The number of Distinguished University Professorships awarded varies each year. Each professorship carries an annual salary supplement of $5,000 and an annual research stipend of $5,000. Source of Nominations Nominations may be submitted by deans, directors, department/program heads, promotion or award committees, or individual faculty members. The dean of the nominee’s school/college must provide a letter of support if the nomination is submitted by someone other than the dean. Selection Process A committee of distinguished senior faculty from different disciplines and academic units, chaired by the Dean of the Graduate School, reviews nominations and makes recommendations to the Provost. Upon the recommendation of the Provost, the Board of Regents approves these appointments in May. Awards will be formally presented at a ceremony during the fall term. Deadline The nomination deadline is Monday, March 3, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., EST. For more information contact: Honors and AwardsRackham Graduate SchoolTelephone: (734) 615-0255Email: [email protected] Guidelines for Preparing Nominations As described below, a nomination dossier must include a cover sheet with contact information, a nominating letter, and curriculum vitae. Incomplete nomination dossiers cannot be reviewed. The Graduate School will add to each nomination dossier a dissertation committee service report and the Registrar’s Teaching Evaluation “Instructor Report” that tabulates quantitative data only. The online nomination dossier may be set up by a U-M faculty or staff member. Others may be given login access to the site as needed. The nomination system may be accessed as often as needed in order to complete the nomination dossier. All materials must be uploaded in Adobe PDF format. Cover Sheet Complete the online cover sheet with all information requested for both the nominee and the nominator—not the administrator who may have initiated the dossier. Letter of Nomination As committee members represent a range of disciplines and may not be familiar with the nominee’s field, describe the nominee’s contributions in a way that conveys their significance to those not acquainted with the field. Given the number of highly accomplished senior faculty with national reputations for academic excellence, the letter should explain the particular distinction that makes the nominee exceptionally qualified for this honor. The letter should include an explanation of the most significant external awards to help the committee assess the nominee’s stature in the field. The letter may incorporate quotations from former and current students, peers and faculty, including from letters solicited for tenure review, that describe the significance of the nominee’s scholarly and research achievements, teaching and mentoring excellence, service contributions and other impact measures outside the classroom. The letter may be no longer than 2,000 words. A new letter may be submitted for re-nominations or an addendum may be submitted to update the dossier. Letters should cover the areas below; those that do not will disadvantage the nominee: An assessment of the range and overall importance of the nominee’s research, scholarly or creative endeavors and accomplishments so that readers can understand the scope and value of his/her professional work. The committee is especially interested in evidence of contributions that have transformed a discipline or field of study or launched a new field of study. Evidence of substantial recognition nationally and internationally among peers and scholars for the impact of the research or scholarship, including an explanation of the most significant external awards to help the committee assess the nominee’s stature in the field. This should include prior recognition within the University and by professional associations, national academies, or other groups with knowledge of the nominee’s contributions. The committee is especially interested in recognition that extends beyond a nominee’s immediate field of expertise. Evidence of outstanding contributions as an educator. This should include having education as a high priority during the nominee’s career; engagement in curriculum development and improvement; recognition as an accomplished teacher; and engagement with graduate students and junior colleagues to further their scholarship and careers. Evidence of extraordinary service and collegiality within the University community and engagement with professional associations, societies, or other national institutions. This may include successful service in formal or informal administrative or leadership roles. Attention to activities indicative of the nominee’s breadth of interest and engagement (e.g., interdisciplinary efforts or involvement with public, nonprofit, or entrepreneurial activity) and depth of knowledge in related fields. Curriculum Vitae Provide the nominee’s current c.v. Dean’s Support Form If the nomination is submitted by someone other than the dean of the nominee’s school or college, a letter of support from the dean must be provided. Please complete this Dean’s Support Form, obtain signatures, and upload as a PDF in these situations. This form is also provided within the nomination system. Past Recipients of Distinguished University Professorships 2024 Deborah Loewenberg Ball, Education Roger D. Cone, Molecular and Integrative Physiology Deborah Dash Moore, History and Judaic Studies Jeffrey Fessler, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Sergey Fomin, Mathematics Robert M. Sellers, Psychology 2023 Kevin Chi Chung, Surgery Mark Kushner, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Bhramar Mukherjee, Biostatistics Kon-Well Wang, Mechanical Engineering Trisha Wittkopp, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 2022 Eva L. Feldman, Neurology Hosagrahar V. Jagadish, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Edward Webb Keane Jr., Anthropology Peggy S. McCracken, Romance languages and Literatures Kamal Sarabandi, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 2021 Ruth Behar, Anthropology Nancy G. Love, Civil and Environmental Engineering Joel B. Slemrod, Economics Janet L. Smith, Biological Chemistry and Life Sciences Institute Karen E. Smith, Mathematics 2020 Arthur Lupia, Political Science Nicholas Kotov, Chemical Engineering Annemarie Palincsar, Education Lutgarde Raskin, Civil and Environmental Engineering Donald Zak, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 2019 John Ayanian, Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation Paul Courant, Economics and Public Policy Judith Irvine, Linguistic Anthropology Earl Lewis, History Anna Suk-Fong Lok, Hepatology and Internal Medicine Scott Page, Complex Systems and Business Administration 2018 Deborah Goldberg, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Laura Kasischke, English Language and Literature Steven Kunkel, Pathology Jeffrey Lagarias, Mathematics Victor Li, Civil and Environmental Engineering 2017 Gordon Amidon, Pharmaceutical Sciences Charles L. Brooks III, Chemistry and Biophysics John Carethers, Internal Medicine and Human Genetics Mark Hunter, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Natural Resources and Environment Martin Katz, Music Sidonie Smith, English Language and Literature and Women’s Studies Ralph Yang, Chemical Engineering 2016 Kent Berridge, Psychology and Neuroscience Sally Camper, Human Genetics and Internal Medicine Robert Griess Jr., Mathematics Sharon Herbert, Classical Archaeology Alfred Hero III, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Wallace Hopp, Business and Engineering Melanie Sanford, Chemistry June Manning Thomas, Urban Planning Valerie Traub, English and Women’s Studies 2015 Joel D. Blum, Earth and Environmental Sciences Stephen R. Forrest, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Sharon C. Glotzer, Chemical Engineering Tiya A. Miles, African American Women’s History Mark E. Newman, Physics Gilbert S. Omenn, Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics Peter J. Polverini, Dentistry Ronald G. Suny, History Sarah G. Thomason, Linguistics 2014 Tamas Gombosi, Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences Jessy Grizzle, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Robert Kennedy, Chemistry Donald Kinder, Political Science Harry Mobley, Microbiology and Immunology Susan Murphy, Statistics Peter Railton, Philosophy Peter Sparling, Music, Theatre, and Dance 2013 Elizabeth S. Anderson, Philosophy Christin Carter-Su, Physiology Carol A. Fierke, Chemistry Susan A. Gelman, Psychology and Linquistics Ronald G. Larson, Chemical Engineering Victor B. Lieberman, History Roderick J. Little, Biostatistics Mark B. Orringer, Thoracic Surgery Panos Y. Papalambros, Engineering 2011 Richard Janko, Classical Studies Gordon Kane, Physics Miriam Meisler, Human Genetics, Neurology Terry Robinson, Psychology, Neuroscience 2010 David Halperin, English Language and Literature Yoram Koren, Mechanical Engineering David Meyer, Psychology Fawwaz Ulaby, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 2009 Jacquelynne S. Eccles, Psychology and Education Rodney C. Ewing, Geological Sciences William C. Fulton, Mathematics A. Galip Ulsoy, Mechanical Engineering John H. Vandermeer, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 2008 Hyman Bass, Education and Mathematics Michael Boehnke, Biostatistics Bruce Frier, Classical Studies, Law School Linda Gregerson, English Language and Literature James S. House, Sociology 2007 Stephen Darwall, Philosophy Jane Dutton, Business Education Joyce Penner, Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences Henry Wright, Anthropology Yu Xie, Sociology and Statistics 2006 Noreen Clark, Public Health Nicholas Delbanco, English Language and Literature Geoffrey Eley, History Lennard Fisk, Atmospheric Oceanic and Space Sciences Raoul Kopelman, Chemistry 2005 Philip Bucksbaum, Physics Sheldon Danziger, Public Policy Sidney Gilman, Neurology Donald S. Lopez, Buddhist and Tibetan Studies Joyce Marcus, Anthropology C.K. Prahalad, Business Administration Abigail Stewart, Psychology and Women’s Studies 2004 Pallab Bhattacharya, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Don B. Chaffin, Industrial and Operations Engineering Gerard M. Faeth, Aerospace Engineering Melvin Hochster, Mathematics Joanne Leonard, Art and Women’s Studies Martha Ludwig, Biological Chemistry Charles F. Yocum, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology 2003 Phoebe C. Ellsworth, Law and Psychology David Ginsburg, Internal Medicine and Human Genetics Rebecca J. Scott, History Bright Sheng, Music 2002 Michael Savageau, Microbiology and Immunology Lawrence Sklar, Philosophy Kensall D. Wise, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 2001 Patricia Y. Gurin, Psychology and Women’s Studies Richard Owen Lempert, Law and Sociology Kenneth E. Warner, Public Health Karl E. Weick, Organizational Behavior and Psychology 2000 Richard Crawford, Music Homer A. Neal, Physics 1999 Huda Akil, Neurosciences Edward E. Smith, Psychology Shirley Verrett, Music 1995 James S. Jackson, Psychology Ludwig Koenen, Papyrology Vincent Massey, Biological Chemistry Rowena G. Matthews, Biological Chemistry Gerard A. Mourou, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 1994 William E. Bolcom, Music Allan F. Gibbard, Philosophy Martha Vicinus, English, Women’s Studies and History Walter J. Weber, Jr., Environmental Sciences and Engineering 1992 Yale Kamisar, Law Richard E. Nisbett, Psychology George Shirley, Music 1989 Richard D. Alexander, Evolutionary Biology Robert Axelrod, Political Science and Public Policy Frederick C. Neidhardt, Microbiology and Immunology 1987 Thomas M. Donahue, Planetary Science Frederick W. Gehring, Mathematics 1985 L. Ross Chambers, French and Comparative Literature Kent V. Flannery, Anthropological Archaeology 1983 Minor J. Coon, Biological Chemistry Robert B. Zajonc, Social Sciences 1982 Philip E. Converse, Sociology and Political Science Joseph L. Sax, Law 1978 Clyde Coombs, Psychology Charles Gibson, History 1977 Leslie Bassett, Music 1972 John Arthos, English Language and Literature H. Richard Crane, Physics 1969 Gardner Ackley, Economics Otis D. Duncan, Sociology 1968 Jerome W. Conn, Internal Medicine John Higham, History Chia-Shun Yih, Engineering 1966 William W. Bishop, Jr., Law David M. Dennison, Physics Donald L. Katz, Chemical Engineering Paul W. McCracken, Business Administration James V. Neel, Human Genetics 1947 Werner Emmanuel Bachmann, Chemistry George Granger Brown, Chemical Engineering Thomas Francis, Jr., Epidemiology Howard Bishop Lewis, Biological Chemistry DeWitt Henry Parker, Philosophy William Andrew Paton, Accounting Isaiah Leo Sharfman, Economics Lewis Mallalieu Simes, Law George Eugene Uhlenbeck, Physics Contact Us Hours: The Dean’s Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is closed Saturdays and Sundays and on university holidays. Location 1120 Rackham Building 915 E. Washington St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070 Contact Phone: 734.615.0255 Fax: 734.615.3832 Email: [email protected]
