Distinguished Scholar Award

We honor our dedicated scholars and creators

The Distinguished Scholar Award honors senior scholars and artists with a long and distinguished record of publications, exhibits and/or creative activities while a member of the UNI faculty and whose professional reputation is national (and international where appropriate).

Nominees must be a late-career tenured Regular Member of the Graduate Faculty with at least five years of full-time UNI service at the time of nomination. A faculty member may receive the Distinguished Scholar Award only once.

2025 Award Winners
Division of Graduate Studies

Actions

  • Nominations must originate from the Department Faculty and official nomination letter(s) as PDF must be submitted to Graduate Studies by email to gradcollege@uni.edu
  • Graduate Studies will inform nominees of selection and will requests materials.

Deadlines

  • Friday, November 3, 2025: Nominations are due by 4:30 p.m.
  • Monday, February 6, 2026: Nominee’s submission of digital materials by 4:30 p.m.
Requirements

Nominees will be notified to electronically submit one copy of each of the following materials:

  • A signed cover sheet.
  • A Letter of nomination by the nominator.
  • A complete and current vita, limited to scholarly record.
  • Personal statement by the nominee discussing his/her record of scholarly or creative achievement (not to exceed 3 typed pages single-spaced, 12 inch font Times New Roman, one inch margin). These accomplishments should represent at least five years of outstanding achievement.
  • One letter of support. Please send it directly to gradcollege@uni.edu (on official letter head with signature).
How to submit your materials
  1. Submit documents as PDF files ONLY to gradcollege@uni.edu.
  2. Include cover sheet with signatures, CV, and narrative.
  3. One "Support letter" on letter head and signed by the nominator. This letter must be sent directly to: gradcollege@uni.edu.

Previous Recipients - Distinguished Scholar Award

  • Andrey N. Petrov (2024-2025)
  • Catherine DeSoto (2023-2024)
  • Thomas Hockey (2022-2023)
  • Christian W. Ogbondah (2021-2022)
  • Grant Tracey (2020-2021)
  • Michael Waggoner (2019-2020)
  • Daniel Power (2018-2019)
  • Nageswara Rao Posinasetti (2017-2018)
  • David Surdam (2016-2017)
  • Audrey Rule (2015-2016)
  • Robert Washut (2014-2015)
  • Melissa Beall (2013-2014)
  • Katherine Van Wormer (2012-2013)
  • Roy Behrens (2009-2010)
  • Otto MacLin (2008-2009)
  • Carl Thurman (2007-2008)
  • John W. Johnson (2006-2007)
  • Kenneth R. Atkinson (2005-2006)
  • Sue Joseph (2004-2005)
  • Richard Utz (2003-2004)
  • Joseph Smaldino (2001-2002)
  • Syed Kirmani (1999-2000)
  • David Buch (1998-1999)
  • Shivesh Thakur (1997-1998)
  • Albert Gilgen (1996-1997)
  • Virginia Berg (1995-1996)
  • Barbara Lounsberry (1994-1995)
  • Gregory Stefanich (1993-1994)
  • Allen Jedlicka (1992-1993)
  • Nixon Wilson (1991-1992)
  • Donald Whitnah (1990-1991‌)
  • Robert Gish (1990-1991)
  • Glenda Riley (1989-1990)
  • Chandrasekhar Das (1989-1990)
  • Robley Wilson (1988-1989)
  • Clemens Bartollas (1988-1989)
  • Hyo Myung (1986-1987)
  • Jerome Klinkowitz (1984-1985)
  • Gordon Harrington (1984-1985)
  • Hyo Myung (1983-1984)