Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor

One professor can touch the lives of many through teaching, mentorship, and research. 

The Chester Fritz Distinguished Professorships were established with an endowment gift from the late UND benefactor Chester Fritz, 1892-1983. Revenue from the endowment provides for cash stipends to one or more full-time UND faculty members, who thereafter may use the title "Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor."

Criteria for Selection

• The Chester Fritz Distinguished Professorship is intended for exemplary faculty who fulfill the University mission of teaching, scholarly/creative activity, and service.
• Chester Fritz distinguished Professors have made significant professional contributions throughout their career. However, the basis for selection of Chester Fritz Professors will be one's accomplishments and contributions that have significantly advanced the teaching, scholarly/creative, and service missions of UND. 
• Awardees must be ranked, full-time members of the faculty. Department chairs are eligible if they are full-time members of the faculty. Full-time administrators such as vice-presidents and deans are not eligible. 

Nomination Process

• The nominator(s) must submit a nomination letter. Nominator(s) must be a Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor, Full Professor, or Department Chair.
• College Deans must second all nominations in writing with a letter of support. 
• Letters of support from UND faculty are encouraged. External letters are also accepted from students, alumni, colleagues fro other institutions, and other professional collaborators. Up to six letters of support (in addition to those from the nominator(s) and the Dean) may be submitted with the nomination packet. 
• A current curriculum vitae of the nominee must accompany the packet. 

Selection Committee

The 2026-2027 selection committee will be updated in fall 2026.

Dates and Deadlines

• Nomination packets are due in the College Dean’s office by November 1.
• Complete nomination packets with letters from the nominator(s) and seconder (College Dean) are due to Faculty Affairs via Qualtrics by November 15.
• The Provost convenes a selection committee. The committee forwards a rank ordered list of names to the Provost by December 6 with specific recommendations for who should be awarded the Chester Fritz Professorship.
• The Provost reviews the committee’s recommendations and forwards the recommendations to the President.
• Chester Fritz Distinguished Professorships are awarded at Founders Day.

Terms of Appointment

Once awarded, the recipient always carries the title “Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor.”