By J. Ferguson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Thursday, April 7. 2005
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By the end of April, six UA professors may need to order new business cards to reflect a new prestigious title: regents professor.
Last week, President Peter Likins formally nominated six professors after receiving recommendations from a UA committee on regents professorships. The nominees will be considered by the Arizona Board of Regents, who will vote on the approval at their April 28-29 meeting at Arizona State University.
The six professors are Michael Cusanovich, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics; Michael Drake, professor of planetary sciences; Paula Ya-Mei Fan, professor of music; John W. Olsen, professor of anthropology; Jeanne Pemberton, professor of chemistry; and Vladimir Zakharov, professor of mathematics.
Anthropology department head Olsen knows first hand the impact a regents professor can have on students.
As an undergraduate at the UA studying anthropology, Olsen worked with Vances Haynes, regents professor in anthropology.
"I did some of my first overseas fieldwork with him," Olsen said.
Olsen said the fieldwork with Haynes was crucial to the development of his career.
Paula Ya-Mei Fan said the call from Likins informing her of her nomination was surprise.
"I am really honored to be considered and feel fortunate to represent school of the music," Fan said. "I am honored to be among these scientists."
Michael Drake, department head of planetary sciences, said it was his personal philosophy that "the best research department is the best teaching department."
In 1999, Drake's accomplishments earned him a Distinguished Professor award from the UA.
Likins said the nomination process was "arduous," and the title is limited to 3 percent of the tenured faculty members at Arizona's public universities. Likins said the title of regents professor requires more than just outstanding performance in their field.
"It's not enough to be a brilliant scholar," Likins said.
Likins said the nominees have a diversified background, which allow the professors to have a variety of fields of interest, not just one specialized field.
The designation of regents professors is an honored position reserved for faculty scholars of exceptional ability who have achieved national and international distinction.
The rank of regents professor includes an increase of salary that customarily accompanies these appointments by $5,000 annually.
