The title of University Distinguished Professor is conferred upon those faculty members whose achievements unequivocally merit the recognition. The selection process involves a rigorous appraisal, including requests of nationally and internationally known scholars in the appropriate discipline outside Miami University to place the nominee among other distinguished scholars of national and international reputation. University Distinguished Professors receive an annual stipend for conducting research and other professional activities.

• University Distinguished Professor Award Recipients, 2000–present

Selection Criteria

Each nominee must be a:

• Full Professor and have been a faculty member at Miami for at least eight years
• Teacher of demonstrated excellence and a contributor to the life and mission of Miami University
• Distinguished scholar of national and international stature with demonstrated recognition and with projected high-level of scholarly productivity in the future

Step 1: Nomination

Calls for nominations are issued by the Awards and Recognitions Committee, an advisory committee of University Senate. Nominations for this award must address the criteria mentioned above and must include:

• Letter of nomination which should specify how the nominee meets the criteria of the award
• Nominee's current C.V.

This award is given in alternating (odd-numbered) years. Nomination materials for 2025 should be sent on or before November 1, 2024 to awards@MiamiOH.edu

Step 2: Finalist Packet

Finalists will be selected based upon the above materials.  If selected as a finalist, the finalist should submit:

• Personal Statement by the Nominee on their Scholarly & Teaching Record and Future Agenda or Plans
• Additional letters of nomination to reach a total of four letters from different individuals. Each nominee should have a total of four letters (including the nomination letter) – two from internal to the University and two from outside of Miami.  The external nominators should have gained national and international stature in the field. 
• Documentation of the nominee’s teaching effectiveness and commitment to the advancement of student learning over past five years (e.g., listing of courses taught, by number and name, including the semesters and years in which the courses were taught; quality of teaching, including quantitative measures on which quality is based; amount and effectiveness of advising and mentoring; innovation and impact in curriculum development.) Note: This information can be reported similarly to what is included in a promotion dossier
• Documentation of quality of research and creative activity, including quality impact factors and evidence of national or international acclaim.  Note: This information may be included in the C.V.

Selection Process

The Awards and Recognition Committee, an advisory committee of University Senate, solicits nominations from Miami faculty and staff.

The call for nominations for the University Distinguished Professor Award is issued every other year (years beginning with even numbers: 2024-2025, 2026-2027, etc.), alternating with the Distinguished Service Award. It is presented to no more than two recipients.

Nominations are reviewed by the Awards & Recognition Committee.  Letters from the external distinguished scholars will be solicited from those nomination packets deemed to be of the highest quality.  The committee then makes recommendations for finalists; recommendations are submitted to the President and Provost who make the final selection. Notification of the award winners will be sent to the individual, the Dean and the nomination contact person in March. Notification of nominations that were not selected will be sent to the contact person or an appropriate senior member of the nominating team.

Recognition

Award recipients will be recognized at a major awards reception hosted by the President and Provost in March.