University Distinguished Professors Group
Guidelines for Appointment

The title of University Distinguished Professor is a lifetime title that represents the highest honor Kansas State University can bestow on its faculty, an award that recognizes those making outstanding contributions to teaching, research, and service to their professions and communities.

University Distinguished Professors are appointed following a University-wide competition held by the Provost. Notification of the competition is made to all faculty by the Provost in the Fall. A copy of the most recent memorandum from the Provost is listed below:

I am very pleased to announce the call for nominations for the title of University Distinguished Professor for appointment in 2009. This opportunity, coordinated through the Office of the Provost in conjunction with the University Distinguished Professors Group (UDPG), will consider up to three new appointments to this title for 2009. In addition to this distinguished title, each appointee shall receive a supplement of $10,000 added to their annual salaries with funds provided through my office.

Overview:

This document describes the general process for nominations and review of candidates associated with selection of University Distinguished Professors and the role of the UDPG in the selection process. The review of nominations will be conducted by the UDPG with additional review and input provided by a group of selected University Distinguished Professors from other Big 12 Universities. The selection of the external Big 12 UDPs who will provide review and input of those nominated will be made by me in my role as Provost. I will select the UDP appointees from the slate of nominees recommended by the UDPG in conjunction with input from the external UDPs, and in consultation with the Deans Council.

Nominations and Qualifications:

Through this memo, I am soliciting nominations for the title of University Distinguished Professor. Eligibility for this title is restricted to tenured faculty with the rank of Full Professor on full-time appointment at the university. The general qualifications for this honor are based on an individual meeting the following criteria:

1. They are recognized as having made an outstanding (major and substantial) impact on their field;

2. That such recognition is recognized as continuing;

3. That this excellence has been recognized in important ways, such as major honors from professional societies, selection as a Distinguished Graduate Faculty recipient or Distinguished Teaching Scholar, or other equivalent types of recognition of excellence of the nominees; and,

4. That such recognitions of excellence of the nominees be sensitive to and appropriately consider the diversity of contributions, both national and international, our faculty have made within the broad context of outstanding scholarship as defined by Ernest Boyer.

Nominations of outstanding faculty for the title of University Distinguished Professor can be made to the Provost by any Kansas State University tenured faculty member qualified to judge the nominee's work. An original and four copies of the nomination package should be submitted to the Provost’s Office by Wednesday, October 1, 2008. A disk or CD with a PDF file of the entire nomination package (including the dean’s letter of support) also should accompany the submission.

Nomination packages must contain the following material:

• A letter of nomination that should not exceed five pages. The letter must include the following: the special reasons that justify selection of the nominee for the title of University Distinguished Professor; complementary but not redundant material to that provided in the curriculum vitae; a description for the general academic audience of the importance of the nominee's scholarship and contributions to her/his field.

• A detailed curriculum vitae of the nominee.

• A list of four and no more than five eminent scholars (outside Kansas State University) recognized as nationally and internationally qualified to speak directly to the outstanding qualifications of the nominee. The professional qualifications of each potential referee should be described, and a statement describing any personal or professional relationships between the referee and nominee that may have existed in the past or currently exists must be included. Complete current mailing addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses must also be provided for each of these possible referees. In addition to three referees that will be selected from the above list, I will also, in consultation with the Department Head and/or other qualified faculty, solicit two additional eminent scholars in the candidate's specialty to provide letters of reference.


• Letters of support from the College Dean and either the Department Head or Division/School Director.

The nomination may also include additional supporting letters from faculty at Kansas State University which are solicited and submitted by the nominator.

The nominator may every year:

• Add an updated curriculum vitae of the nominee.

• Recommend the name of one additional referee to the list of four to five eminent scholars (outside Kansas State University) recognized as nationally and internationally qualified to speak to the outstanding qualifications of the candidate that was submitted when the nomination was originally made. Supporting details associated with the additional proposed referee must also be included per instructions as outlined above.

Nominations will remain active for a period of three consecutive years. If the nominee is not selected as a UDP during this three-year period, one year must pass before they can be re-nominated, whereupon a new three consecutive year active period begins.

Nominations should be received in my office no later than Wednesday, October 1, 2008, for consideration for appointment effective the following academic year. Please remember that the original nomination package plus four copies should be provided, as well as a CD or disk with a PDF file of the entire nomination package.

I look forward to receiving your nominations.

sa

cc: President Jon Wefald