University of Arkansas to Recognize Award-Winning Researchers

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Provost Sharon Gaber speaks to faculty award winners at April 2 reception. Photo by Logan J. Webster

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas has launched an initiative to recognize its nationally competitive award-winning researchers.

The University of Arkansas frequently honors faculty members who receive awards at the institutional, college or departmental level. The Faculty Award Recognition Program is the first coordinated effort to publicly praise those who have received nationally competitive research awards; at the same time the program will support faculty and staff who are interested in applying for these awards.

The university kicked off the initiative on April 2 with a reception at the Wallace W. and Jama M. Fowler House.

Chancellor G. David Gearhart, in his opening remarks, told those in attendance that his administration appreciates their accomplishments.

“We take great pride in our faculty. You are bringing prestige and distinction to the University of Arkansas and helping raise our academic reputation,” Gearhart said.

Following Gearhart, Sharon Gaber, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, referred to the university’s goal of becoming one of the United States’ top 50 public research institutions by 2021.

“Raising the academic reputation of the university is important, and that cannot be done without the hard work of our faculty and staff,” Gaber said. “We think we can do a better job of identifying candidates for awards, help them get nominated and guide them through the application process. Additionally, we can ensure that their work is being properly promoted and recognized. Your success is our success.”

Gaber developed the Faculty Award Recognition Program with Jim Rankin, vice provost for research and economic development, and Ro Di Brezzo, recently appointed vice provost for faculty development and enhancement.

The program initially focuses on the 23 faculty award programs recognized by the Top American Research Universities study conducted by Arizona State University. Examples include the Fulbright American Scholar Program, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Science Foundation Early Career Development Program, better known as the NSF CAREER award.

The university recognized the winners of the CAREER award at a reception on April 10 in Carnall Hall.

The goal is to encourage faculty to apply for these prestigious awards, Rankin said.

“Many of our faculty members have the accomplishments and expertise to be recognized with a national award,” Rankin said. “One of the reasons why they have not been selected for these awards may be because they have not applied or have not been nominated. The university should play an instrumental role in helping its faculty.”

The Faculty Award Recognition Program will consist of four steps that will provide faculty support: identification, mentorship, application writing and recognition/reward.

The program will work with college deans and department heads to identify faculty who should be considered candidates for a faculty award program. Once the candidates have been identified, mentors will provide guidance with the application package, including the composition of the application. Finally, the university will recognize faculty award winners through various avenues, including an annual reception.

The office of the vice provost for research and economic development has recently updated the list of campus faculty award winners.