�ۿ۴�ý Honors Distinguished Faculty Awardees

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Three �ۿ۴�ý professors were recognized in person for earning the Distinguished Faculty Award for the first time in three years. The award was created in 1969 and is the highest honor that �ۿ۴�ý University can bestow on a member of its faculty. The award is presented annually to a full-time faculty member selected by the University community for excellence in teaching, advising, and leadership of students and community concerns.��

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Rebecca Drenovsky was honored for earning her Distinguished Faculty Award in spring 2020. She joined the �ۿ۴�ý. Biology Department in 2005, after completing a Ph.D. in Plant Biology at the University of California, Davis, and then spent several years as a post-doctoral researcher there. At the time of her nomination, Rebecca had published at least 38 co-authored, peer-reviewed papers since joining the �ۿ۴�ý faculty. She had already become an internationally known plant physiological ecologist specializing in plant adaptations to growth in harsh environments.��

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Dr. Rebecca Drenovsky earned her Distinguished Faculty Award in 2020

Philip J. Metres III received the Distinguished Faculty Award in the spring of 2021. He joined the �ۿ۴�ý. English Department in 2001, after earning an MA, MFA, and Ph.D. from Indiana University. Dr. Metres has written 20 books and published over 400 poems. His work has been widely recognized within the university and at the state and national levels. Dr. Metres is an accomplished translator of contemporary Russian poetry and earned a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2020.��

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Dr. Philip J. Metres III earned the Distinguished Faculty Award in 2021

Chrystal Bruce was named the recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award in the spring of 2022. She earned a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and joined the �ۿ۴�ý Department of Chemistry in 2012. For the current Integrative Core, Dr. Bruce developed a popular linked course in the chemistry of poisons, coupled with an English course on detective fiction. Dr. Bruce’s service to �ۿ۴�ý includes chairing the Committee on Academic Policies and the search committee for the C.A.S. Dean in 2019-20. Additionally, she played a vital role in the success of the Department of Education’s First in the World program.

Dr. Chrystal Bruce receiving her Distinguished Faculty Award

Distinguished Faculty Awardees are recognized at commencement, and customarily the University community honors the year’s winner at a specially designated reception, usually late in the spring semester. At least, that was the practice through 2019. Due to the pandemic, the last three ceremonies were postponed until this fall. Please join the �ۿ۴�ý community in congratulating Dr. Drenovsky, Dr. Metres, and Dr. Bruce for their outstanding work and contributions to our university.

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