The title of University Distinguished Professor is the highest achievement a faculty member can earn, and demonstrates the high quality of scholarship underway at Texas A&M University. University Distinguished Professors are preeminent authorities in their academic disciplines and their accomplishments are exemplified by outstanding teaching, research, mentoring and service.
Entitlements
- Award winners will be named University Distinguished Professors, but will also keep their current titles and ranks; i.e., Professor of ‘Academic Department.’
- The University Distinguished Professor honorific title is bestowed in perpetuity, as long as the faculty member remains in good standing.
- A bursary fund is provided to new University Distinguished Professors.
- One A&M parking tag is provided as a supplement to an existing paid parking permit.
Selection Committee Makeup
The University Distinguished Professor Award Selection Committee is composed of six University Distinguished Professors serving staggered two-year terms. The members of the award committee must be from six different colleges or schools, and any member must not be reappointed for two years after their term is finished. The provost and the Executive Committee of Distinguished Professors will each select three members for the awards committee, all subject to approval by the provost.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of Distinguished Professors consists of nine Distinguished Professors. Each year, three are elected for a three year term.
The current Executive Committee members are:
- B. Don Russell, Electrical & Computer Engineering (emeritus) — (current Chair)
- John Gadysz, Chemistry (emeritus)
- Catherine Eckel, Economics (2024)
- J.N. Reddy, Mechanical Engineering (2024)
- Joerg Steiner, Small Animal Clinical Sciences — (current Vice Chair)(2024)
- Olga Kocharovskaya, Physics & Astronomy (2025)
- Kirk Winemiller, Ecology & Conservation Biology (2025)
- Richard Golsan, International Studies (2025)
- Dorothy Shippen, Biochemistry and Biophysics (2026)
- Huyen Pham, Law (2026)
- Steve Maren, Psychological & Brain Sciences (2026)