Arts and Humanities Distinguished Professor

Lesley Ferris

Professor, Department of Theatre

 

The Department of Theatre congratulates Dr. Lesley Ferris for being named an Arts and Humanities Distinguished Professor of Theatre. The permanent honorific title is awarded only to a select number of Full Professor rank faculty in the College of the Arts who have consistently distinguished themselves through outstanding teaching, service, and research/creative activity. Dr. Ferris was formally recognized at the College's Fall Faculty Reception on October 28, 2009 by President Gee.

 

About the Award:

Candidates for an Arts & Humanities Distinguished Professorship are made by department chairs, in consultation with their faculty. Nominations must include written evidence of excellence in research, teaching, and service, together with recommendations from at least three external evaluators selected by the Department. The Arts & Humanities Distinguished Professorship is intended as an honorific title, not a new faculty rank. This award is intended to honor senior colleagues who have earned distinction in all three areas of professional endeavor, and whose work, especially in professional service and scholarship, has earned them national and international recognition of the highest sort. To be eligible, faculty must not already hold a titled position, such as Eminent Scholar, Distinguished University Professor, or an endowed chair, and must have served at full rank for at least eight years. Eligible faculty must be truly distinguished scholars in their field of specialization, with records of sustained and significant productivity throughout their careers, including the years at full rank. They must also have a record of excellence in teaching and outstanding service to their departments, the university, and the profession. Evidence of such distinction would include, but would not be limited to the following: significant awards for research and creative activity, such as a Guggenheim Fellowship; a major professional prize; editorship of a major professional journal; elected position in a prominent professional association; receipt of a major university award, such as the Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award, the University Distinguished Scholar Award, or the University Distinguished Lecturer Award.