Academics

Nominations being accepted for Evan Pugh University Professorships

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Nominations for Evan Pugh University Professorships are being sought by the Office of the President. 

“The Evan Pugh University Professorship honors a highly select group of Penn State faculty for outstanding scholarly and professional achievement,” said President Eric Barron. “We are pleased to open the nomination process again this year to fill a limited number of positions.”

A total of 68 Evan Pugh University Professors have been named since the professorships were established in 1960. The 22 currently active Evan Pugh University Professors and the year of their appointment are: 

  • George E. Andrews, mathematics, 1981;
  • Harry R. Allcock, chemistry, 1985;
  • Nicholas Winograd, chemistry, 1985;
  • A. Welford Castleman, chemistry, 1986;
  • Moses H. W. Chan, physics, 1994;
  • Paul F. Baum, mathematics, 1996;
  • Leonard S. Jefferson, cellular and molecular physiology, 1996;
  • Robert D. Hume, English, 1998;
  • Alexander Wolszczan, astronomy and astrophysics, 1998;
  • Richard B. Alley, geosciences, 2000;
  • Anthony Cutler, art history, 2004;
  • Joanna Floros, cellular and molecular physiology, 2004;
  • Nigel Higson, mathematics, 2006;
  • Mary Jane Irwin, computer science and engineering, 2006;
  • Donald Hambrick, business management, 2009;
  • Thomas Mallouk, chemistry and physics, 2009;
  • Jainendra Jain, physics, 2012;
  • James Kasting, geosciences, 2012;
  • Bruce Logan, environmental engineering, 2012;
  • Nina Jablonski, anthropology, 2014;
  • Franklin Pugh, biology, 2014; and
  • Andrew Read, biological sciences and entomology, 2014. 

The selection process is administered by the Office of the Vice President for Research. The Evan Pugh Advisory Committee will review nominations and make recommendations to the president.

The Evan Pugh Professorships were established in 1960 to honor preeminent professors and recognize the importance of research in supporting the quality and reputation of the University.

In 2015, the University approved a title change to "Evan Pugh University Professor of (discipline)” to convey and reflect that the Evan Pugh Professor is the highest distinction that the University can bestow upon a faculty member. Professors are selected without regard to college affiliation, program or location. Professorships are granted only to candidates who are acknowledged national and international leaders in their fields of research or creative activity.

Candidates must “have demonstrated excellent teaching skills and contributed significantly to the education of students, both undergraduate and graduate, who subsequently have achieved demonstrable recognition for excellence in their fields." Candidates also must hold the rank of professor with at least five years of service to Penn State.

All nominations must be submitted to the dean of the academic college in which the nominee is appointed. Requests for “Guidelines for Preparation of Nominating Materials” or questions pertaining to the process should be directed to Ruth Weber, assistant director, finance and administration, Vice President for Research, 304 Old Main, or by phone 814-863-9580, or e-mail rim100@psu.edu. The closing date for receipt of nominating materials to the deans is Oct. 26, 2015.

Last Updated September 18, 2015