Faculty Awards & Recognition

Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor

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

• Demonstrated achievement across research, teaching, and service with significant national or regional recognition in any one of these missions.
• Significant professional contributions throughout his/her career. However, the basis for selection of Chester Fritz Professors will be heavily weighted toward one’s accomplishments at UND.
• Recognition by University of North Dakota colleagues as a faculty member who has made a valuable contribution to the quality of UND’s academic programs.
• Full-time member of the faculty which includes all ranked teaching and research personnel. Department chairs are eligible if he/she is a full-time member of the faculty. (Full-time administrators, e.g., vice-presidents and deans, are not eligible).

Nomination Process

The nomination packet should contain sufficient information for the committee to evaluate the nominee.

1. The nominator(s) must submit a nomination letter. Nominator(s) must be a Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor, Full Professor, or Department Chair.
2. College Deans must second all nominations in writing.
3. Letters of support from other faculty are encouraged.
4. A current curriculum vitae of the nominee must accompany the nomination.

Selection Committee

A selection committee appointed by the Provost provides specific recommendations for individuals whom should be awarded the Chester Fritz Professorship based on selection criteria.

Dates and Deadlines

• Nomination packets are due in the College Dean’s office by February 14.
• Complete nomination packets with letters from the nominator(s) and seconder (College Dean) are due in the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs by February 28.
• The Provost convenes a selection committee. The committee forwards a rank ordered list of names to the Provost by March 16 with specific recommendations for who should be awarded the Chester Fritz Professorship.
• The Provost reviews the committee’s recommendations and forward the recommendations to the President.
• Chester Fritz Distinguished Professorships are awarded at Spring Commencement.

Terms of Appointment

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

Emeritus Status

The Office of the Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs invites nominations for faculty to be considered for emeritus/emerita status.

Emeritus status is an honorary designation conferred upon retirees to recognize their contributions and accomplishments over their university careers. Per State Board of Higher Education Policy  430.2, criteria for emeritus status may include, but are not limited to, length of service to the institution, significant contributions to the institution and the State of North Dakota, or particularly distinguished service to an academic discipline.

• We accept nominations for emeritus status at any time of the year.  Please be mindful of upcoming retirements as this should initiate consideration for emeritus status. 
• If you would like to nominate a faculty member, nominations should first be sent to the
  college/school dean’s office for their review and signature. College/school dean’s office will forward
  name to Office of the Provost & VPAA.

Emeritus Benefits

The granting of Emeritus status is an honorary designation which entails no assigned duties, responsibilities, office space, or use of clerical staff.

Faculty granted Emeritus faculty shall:

• Maintain a UND email address; and
• Have library privileges, including borrowing material, walk-in access to all databases, and remote access to databases with the use of an NDUS network account.
• Emeritus faculty also receive the benefits offered to all UND retirees.
  • Parking Office – Retirees may purchase a discounted permit annually to visit campus.
  • One Stop Student Services – Anyone over the age of 65 may audit courses and receive a waiver of the audit fee.
  • Wellness Center – Retirees may purchase a membership at the same rate as faculty/staff.

Nomination Procedure

FACULTY EMERITUS STATUS NOMINATION FORM

A documented nomination should include the following:

• A paragraph describing why the individual merits this distinction (i.e. significant contributions to the institution, the state, and/or service to the faculty member's academic discipline)
• Date of initial appointment
• Length of service
• Date of retirement
• Each nominee should be recommended for emeritus status by the appropriate faculty body and dean of the college

Please indicate if the individual being nominated is a Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor so that it can be included in the emeritus title.

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact:

State Board of Higher Education Policy

STATE BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY 430.2

1. The Board may in its discretion confer emeritus status upon retirement or after retirement to a chancellor or president, based upon significant contributions or length of service to the state, university system or institution.
2. Institutions may confer emeritus status upon retirement or after retirement to faculty or senior administrators or professionals (excluding meritus status for presidents), pursuant to institution policies and procedures. Criteria for emeritus status may include, but are not limited to, length of service to the institution, significant contributions to the institution and the State of North Dakota, or particularly distinguished service to an academic discipline.
3. Emeritus status shall not include salary or other compensation or other rights, except privileges specified in institution policies or procedures.

Endowed Faculty Positions

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

Together, we are only as strong as our faculty — they’re the heart of our University. Supporting our endowed faculty and research will:

• Attract and retain outstanding teaching and research faculty.
• Draw top-notch students who want to work with leading scholars.
• Secure research grants and private support.
• Expand the University’s profile and participation across networks.
• Foster media attention and bring in national conferences.

Endowed faculty allow students to learn from the most talented scholars in the world to solve global grand challenges.

Learn More