Spring 2001 -- Vol. 18, No. 1

Evan Pugh Professors Appreciate, Enjoy Responsibilities That Accompany Their Position

According to Penn State policy, the title represents “the highest distinction the University can bestow upon a faculty member,” and those who have been honored as an Evan Pugh Professor take those words seriously.

They take great pride in holding their academic actions, and their roles at Penn State, to that hefty standard.

Although spread across many disciplines and several colleges, the group works to maintain a sense of cohesion and play a role in faculty development, teaching, research, and service at Penn State.

“We want to serve as a voice for the University’s research mission,” says Nicholas Winograd, Evan Pugh Professor of Chemistry. “This goal includes serving as a resource for younger faculty members and enhancing faculty development. In addition, we try to point out continually that the quality of faculty-initiated research is the single most important factor in advancing the international stature of Penn State.”

Then-University President Eric Walker established the designation of Evan Pugh Professor in 1960, naming the honor after Evan Pugh, the University's first President who served from 1859-1864.

While the number of named professorships held by Penn State faculty members has increased during recent years—a positive development in terms of support for the University—the title of Evan Pugh Professor remains distinct because of the highly selective nature of the program. Only 53 faculty members have been so honored in the history of the program.

The maximum number of active Evan Pugh Professorships may not exceed one percent of the total number of standing academic appointments at Penn State—making the current maximum 25.

The first four Evan Pugh Professors came from the Eberly College of Science and 11 of the 21 active professors hold appointments in the College.

In order to be selected, faculty members must hold the rank of professor and have at least five years of service at Penn State. They also must:

• Be acknowledged leaders in their fields of research or creativity with national and international leadership documented by: pioneering contributions to research published in leading journals or books and creative accomplishments; wide recognition for excellence; prestigious awards and citations; and a substantial record of invited lectures or performances delivered at prestigious institutions.
• Have demonstrated significant leadership in raising the standards of the University with respect to teaching, research, or creative activity and service.
• Have demonstrated excellent teaching skills and contributed significantly to the education of students, undergraduate and graduate, who subsequently have demonstrated recognition for excellence in their fields.
• Have strong support from colleagues, within and outside the University, who are recognized as established scholars and leaders in their fields.

Selection is a highly competitive procedure, with a review process that includes an advisory committee comprised of three incumbent Evan Pugh Professors and four other outstanding faculty members selected by the University President.

Once selected, the Evan Pugh Professors seemingly become empowered with a sense of service more than a sense of superiority.

“It’s not something that crosses my mind on a daily basis,” says George Andrews, Evan Pugh Professor of Mathematics. “About the only time you become consciously aware of it would be when you get a call to serve on some committee because the committee requires an Evan Pugh Professor as a member.

“Certainly, the position holds great appeal but it’s not something where you test the wind to see how much of the response you get comes from the title and how much does not.”

The group meets for occasional lunches and schedules similar sessions with the Board of Trustees, Vice President for Research, Provost, and President.

“It’s an honor for us, but it also presents an opportunity, a position, to have a greater input on what’s happening at the University,” Winograd says. “We think it’s our duty to attempt to do that by sharing what we know, expressing our concerns and opinions, and passing along the concerns and opinions of our colleagues.”

Steve Sampsell

To Science Journal Spring 2002 Index

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