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New Mexico State University

NMSU Faculty Awards


Regents Professorships

The Regents Professorship was established in 2001 by the New Mexico State University Board of Regents to recognize faculty who have made outstanding contributions to New Mexico States mission as a land-grant, Carnegie Foundation Doctoral/Research University, and to honor contributions in areas of education, research, extension education and public service. Regents Professors hold the title for as long as they continue to teach at New Mexico State University. This year's Regents Professors join 10 current holders of the professorship.

2008 Recipients

  • Elba Serrano, Biology
  • Nancy Baker, Government

Previous recipients


Westhafer Award for Excellence in Research

The Westhafer Award is given in alternating years for excellence in teaching, research and creative activity. The Westhafer is presented in memory of Robert L. Westhafer, professor in the Department of Mathematics from 1946 to 1957. The annual award carries a $3,000 gift.

2009 Recipient

  • David J. Pengelly, Mathematics

Previous recipients


Bromilow Awards

The Bromilow Awards are given annually by the College of Engineering in honor of Frank Bromilow, dean of the college from 1961 to 1974. The faculty award is given in alternating years for excellence in teaching and in research, and the staff award is given annually to a deserving support staff member. Recipients are selected by the College of Engineering.

2004 Recipients for Teaching and Service

  • Teaching Award: David Pippen, Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Staff Service Award: Cathy Lindsay, College of Engineering

Previous recipients


John Clark Endowed Professorship

This professorship is named in honor of Dr. John W. Clark, professor of civil engineering from 1953 to 1978. Recognized for his expertise in water and water treatment, he directed the NSF Summer Conference on water resources and served as director of the Water Resources Research Institute from 1971 to 1976. the professorship, made possible by the support of alumni and friends, is intended to encourage civil engineering faculty to strive for the professionnal excellence demonstrated by Clark.

2005 Recipient

  • Nirmala Khandan, Department of Civil Engineering

Klipsch Professorship Awards

The professorship is named in memory of Paul W. Klipsch, a renowned inventor, engineer and scientist. The university’s Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering is named for him. He graduated from New Mexico A&M, now New Mexico State, in 1926 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

2002 Recipient

  • Michael Giles, Retired
  • Kwong Ng, Klipsch School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Jamie Ramirez, Klipsch School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Satish Ranade, Klipsch School of Electrical & Computer Engineering

Ralph B. Crouch Awards

Named for the late Ralph B. Crouch, professor of mathematics, head of the Department of Mathematical Sciences and associate dean of the Graduate School, the annual honor is awarded for outstanding contributions to the university. The award alternates between faculty and staff. The recognition includes an award of $2,000.

2002 Recipient

  • Jim Billings, Department of Theatre Arts

Previous recipients


Dennis W. Darnall Faculty Achievement Awards

The Dennis Darnall Faculty Achievement Award recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated remarkable, broad-based accomplishments in teaching, research and service to the profession, the university and the community. The award carries a gift of $2,500 and honors the achievements and services of Dennis W. Darnall as a New Mexico State University teacher, researcher, administrator, entrepreneur and civic leader.

2007 Recipient

  • Jon Holtzman, Department of Astronomy

Previous recipients


FirstLight Federal Credit Union Faculty Achievement Awards

The FirstLight Federal Credit Union annually honors two faculty members–one from the main campus and one from a branch campus–for advancement of the university and service to local, state, national and international agencies. The organization also recognizes one professional and one classified employee each year for exceptional service. In 2001, FirstLight FCU created two additional awards for outstanding contributions in research and creative activity that are given each year to one faculty member and one staff member. Each FirstLight FCU honor includes a $1,500 award.

2006 Recipientsem>strong>

  • Merlinda Cordero, Placement and Career Services
  • Gloria Jean Valencia, Department of Biology
  • Lawrence A. Salazar, Department of Criminal Justice
  • Michael R. Zimmerman, Office of the Registrar
  • Previous recipients


    French Award for Improvement of Secondary Teaching

    The French Award for Improvement of Secondary Teaching sponsors research and application of creative ideas. The award honors the memory of sisters Floy and Fannie French, education pioneers at the turn of the last century. The honor includes a $3,000 award.

    2002 Recipient

    • Mary Beth Calhoon, Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders

    Previous recipients


    Globalization Award

    The Globalization Award was initiated by the Center for International Programs to recognize individuals who promote international understanding, cooperation, involvement and development at New Mexico State University.

    2004 Recipients

    • Greg Bloom, Center for Latin American & Border Studies
    • Robert Foster, Southwest Technology Development Institute
    • Jeanne Gleason, Agricultural Communications

    Previous recipients


    Garrey E. and Katherine T. Carruthers Chair in Economic Development

    The endowed chair was established in 2004 with a $500,000 gift from Dean Garrey E. Carruthers and Mrs. Katherine T. Carruthers. The state matched the gift with $1 million. The chair will contribute to New Mexico State University’s focus on economic and community development, and help recruit and retain first-rate faculty.

    2006 Recipient

    • Kevin Boberg, College of Business

    Stan Fulton Chair for the Improvement of Border and Rural Schools

    The chair, established in 2005, was created to enhance communication among New Mexico State University faculty, staff and students and pre-kindergarten through 12th grade constituents to improve border and rural schools. In this capacity, the chair will expand, improve and coordinate existing outreach programs and research activities.

    2006 Recipient

    • Eric J. López, Department of Special Education & Communication Disorders

    Robert Davis Professorship

    The $250,000 professorship was established in 2005 by Bob Davis, a New Mexico State University alumnus and former president and chief executive officer of Chevron Chemical Co. The money from the endowment was invested with a percentage of the proceeds used annually to enhance the professor’s salary.

    2006 Recipient

    • Shuguang Deng, Department of Chemical Engineering

    George W. Gardiner Professorship

    The Gardiner Professorship is awarded every two years to a phyiscs faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in scholarship, leadership, research and training. This endowed professorship was made possible by the estate of Anna H. Gardiner, whose husband, George W. Gardiner, was the first head of the physics department and founder of the Physical Science Laboratory at New Mexico State University.

    2006 Recipient

    • Stephen Pate, Physics

    The S.P. and Margaret Manasse Chair

    The S.P. and Margaret Manasse Chair was established in the College of Arts and Sciences in 1999. The chair is awarded each year to an arts and sciences faculty member as recognition for a lifetime of dedication to teaching and research.

    2004 Recipient

    • William Eamon, History and Honors Program

    Previous recipients


    PNM Chair in Utility Management

    Established in 2001, the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) funded a professorship with a $750,000 endowment, designed to support the master’s program in utility management.

    2004 Recipient

    • Satish Ranade, Klipsch School of Electrical & Computer Engineering

    Previous recipients


    Racial Harmony Award

    The Racial Harmony awards are presented annually to one person from the New Mexico State University campus and one or more from the community who have supported the students and promoted racial harmony.

    2004 Recipient

    • Josephine De Leon, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs

    Previous recipients


    J. Paul Taylor Professorship

    The professorship has been established in honor of J. Paul Taylor, a retired state representative who received three degrees from NMSU, a bachlor’s in 1942, a master's in 1954 and a Specialist in Education in 1963. He has been a lifelong advocate for K–12 education, most notably early childhood and bilingual education.

    2005 Recipient

    • Betsy Cahill, Department of Curriculum & Instruction

    University Research Council Awards

    The new University Research Council Awards for Exceptional Achievement in Creative Scholarly Activity are presented annually to early career and senior faculty and staff to increase recognition for exceptional research and other creative scholarly efforts.

    2008 Recipients

    • Eric Butcher, Department of Mechinical and Aerospace Engineering
    • Jeremy Smith, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
    • Meghan Starbuck, Department of Economics and International Business
    • Katherine Giles, Department of Geological Sciences

    Previous recipients