Professors to be awarded for service

Students come from all over to learn from professors who see teaching as their ultimate passion. They try to involve students in intriguing and profound discussions related to their specific areas of study. Without dedicated professors, learning wouldn't be as much fun for students.\nThat's why the University awards such professors each year for their teaching and research skills.\nThe Chancellor's Professors and the Tracy M. Sonneborn Awards are given each year to professors who excel in their fields. Professors must be nominated in order to be assessed for the award.\nAny faculty member can make a nomination of another faculty member, said Susan Eklund, associate dean of the faculties. The most common way is to be nominated by the department chairperson.\nThe call for nominations this year will end on Nov. 1. Recipients of the award are notified during the spring semester and are awarded during a reception the following fall. The winners are chosen by a committee which is made up of past recipients of the awards.\n"These are people who have received high distinction in both teaching and research," Eklund said. "People whose teaching and research enhance each other."\nAfter being named a Chancellor's Professor, the recipients carry the title with them for the rest of their careers. Those awarded will also receive $2,500 for three years and a grant of $5,000 for a task of their selection, which must institute the ideas of both teaching and research.\nThe Tracy M. Sonneborn Award is given to someone who is considered a distinguished professor. Sonneborn was a former IU professor of zoology, who excelled in teaching and research. The recipient of the Sonneborn Award is given $3,500 and must give a public lecture at the University during the fall semester after they have received the award. \nThe 2003 recipient of the Sonneborn Award is Milos Novotny, professor of chemistry, who was selected by the committee last year.\nRobert M. Nosofsky, a professor of psychology, was selected for the Chancellor's Professor Award last year. Nosofsky had been nominated for the award before, although he said he did not know that he had been nominated this time.\n"I was very honored and happy," Nosofsky said. "It was a very gratifying and major accomplishment."\nProfessor of linguistics Daniel Dinnsen also received the Chancellor's Professor Award in 2003.\n"I was quite honored, especially given the person who nominated me," Dinnsen said. \nEklund said she finds there are many reasons for a professor to be considered for an award. \n"I think that there are a lot of ways to be an outstanding teacher," Eklund said. "It means being someone who communicates well and is committed to teaching and research. These teachers often involve their students in their research."\nDinnsen said he feels many of the past recipients were notable educators.\n"I was very excited and honored because of the people who I've known who have received the Chancellor's Professor's Award before," Dinnsen said. "It is a very distinguished group of people, and I'm honored to be a part of that."\n-- Contact staff writer Dana Sands at dsands@indiana.edu.