Message to USC Faculty, Academic Deans, Distinguished Professors, University Professors, USC members of the National Academies (via the deans), Holders of Endowed Chairs and Professorships (via the deans)
From: Elizabeth A. Graddy, Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
September 24, 2019
I am writing today to request your nominations for the following two distinctions: Distinguished Professor and University Professor, which we reserve for the small number of USC faculty who have brought special renown to the University through the excellence of their academic accomplishments.
Your nominations should be submitted in a confidential memo to the dean of your school. To be eligible, a nominee must have at least five years of full-time service at USC. In your memo, please summarize the reasons the nominee merits the recognition.
- Please provide objective evidence of national and international stature, such as major prizes, medals, or membership in the National Academies.
- The titles of Distinguished Professor and University Professor are of equal rank and dignity, but for University Professor nominations, please explain how the individual makes a significant interdisciplinary contribution. Please also indicate whether they hold a joint appointment.
- Briefly summarize the nominee’s special contribution as a University citizen.
If the information is available without contacting the nominee, please enclose the individual’s CV, including publications, honors, and grants. Confidentiality is crucial to the nomination process. Nominees must not know that they are under consideration, and nominators should not solicit letters of support from anyone, particularly not from individuals outside of the university.
Each dean will forward all nominations to me by November 1, 2019 accompanied by a memo containing the dean’s recommendations and rank ordering. A committee of current Distinguished and University Professors will then provide me with its recommendations, and incoming Provost Zukoski will consult with President Folt, who will make the final selection.
In making nominations, of course, please consider candidates who are women or members of underrepresented minority groups.
A list of current and past University and Distinguished Professors can be found on USC’s web site at: https://about.usc.edu/faculty/.
Cc: Carol L. Folt
Academic Senate
President’s Cabinet
Provost’s Cabinet