Due Date: October 16, 2009

Location for Submission:
University Ceremonies
Board of Trustees Office, IMU M005
IU Bloomington

To: Members of the Faculty and Librarians

The President's Office is now receiving nominations for appointment to the academic rank of Distinguished Professor. A Distinguished Professorship is the most prestigious academic appointment at Indiana University, and may be held simultaneously with an endowed or named chair (please note that this latter point is a departure from past practices). Procedures for nominating and appointing individuals to this rank are outlined below.

Nominations for the rank of Distinguished Professor may be submitted by faculty, alumni, students, or other knowledgeable persons. The nominator is responsible for compiling the dossier, which must include an up-to-date resume.

The President's Office forwards nominations to the University Distinguished Professors Committee. The Committee reviews the nominations, consults with relevant departmental chairpersons and deans, and submits recommendations to the president and the Board of Trustees for their consideration. Normally, the Committee will submit its recommendations in time for appointments to be announced at Founders Day. Announcements may also coincide with building dedications and other significant events.

Nominations have a three-year life span, after which an interim of at least one year is required before resubmission. Additional supporting data should be submitted to the University Distinguished Professors Committee each year a nominee is being considered.

Selection Criteria

Selection of individuals named to the Distinguished Professorship is based on the following criteria:

1. Distinction of Scholarship. Competence is assumed; evidence of distinction is required. Pertinent evidence includes: bibliography of publications; evaluation by peers, especially recognized leaders in the discipline (it is helpful if the credentials of evaluators are briefly defined); recognition by national and international professional organizations in the form of awards, medals, honorary degrees, elected office, and other honors; invitations to hold prestigious lectureships and visiting professorships and to participate in high-level national and international conferences, symposia, and meetings; membership in honorary academic and professional organizations.

2. Artistic and Literary Distinction. Evidence of outstanding quality is required, with evaluation by peers; representation of works in national and international exhibitions, shows, and museums, or performance of works by internationally-known performers and orchestras, or performances in major concert series or with internationally acclaimed orchestras.

3. Other Forms of Distinction. In certain fields, the achievement of distinction may be based on criteria other than scholarship or artistic production; for example, extraordinary technical accomplishments or contributions to national or international education; or social, economic, or public-policy activity; or extraordinary success as a teacher as judged by evidence of a significant role in the development of students who have gone on to important success after graduation.

In summary, evidence is required of significant recognition by peers, based on scholarly research or creativity or distinguished influence on students. Distinguished Professorships are normally not considered for professors of emeritus standing, nor are they intended to serve as rewards for length of service in administration or teaching.

Nominators should be sure to review the guidelines posted on the web at http://www.indiana.edu/~distprof which contains information regarding the preparation of the dossier, and the criteria involved in the review process.

All letters written in support of a nomination will be reviewed by members of the Distinguished Professorship Committee. Once award recipients have been selected, segments of the letters will be used in the printed program and the script that is prepared for the awards ceremony. Excerpts from the letters also may be used in the university’s efforts to publicize these honors, in print and on-line.

Nomination Dossier Submission

Two copies of the nomination dossier, with full supporting evidence, should be submitted on or before October 16, 2009. Nominations should be mailed or carried to University Distinguished Professors Committee, University Ceremonies, Board of Trustees Office, IMU M005, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405. If you need additional information, please email distprof@indiana.edu or call 812-855-3761.