It gives me great pleasure to announce two promotions to the rank of distinguished professor and to share with you the second cohort of provost associate professors.

At its late February meeting, AU’s Board of Trustees confirmed the promotion of two extraordinary colleagues to the university’s highest rank, that of distinguished professor. This rank is awarded on a highly selective basis and honors eminent AU faculty whose scholarship has earned national and international renown. Distinguished professors have shaped their field or a significant sub-field through path-breaking original scholarship.  

Please join me in celebrating AU’s newest distinguished professors:

Akbar Ahmed
School of International Service

Erdal Tekin
Public Administration and Policy, School of Public Affairs

As you will recall, we selected our inaugural group of provost associate professors last year. Colleagues awarded this honorific title may hold it for up to four years or until they are promoted to full professor, whichever comes first. We are naming four honorees in AY2022–2023. 

All of these colleagues were recommended by a designated committee in their school or department and by their dean.  Scholarship of exceptional importance, as measured in accordance to the weighting of the home school or department’s relevant promotion guidelines, was the primary basis for these nominations and selections, although outstanding teaching and service also weighed heavily.  

Hearty congratulations to this year’s class of provost associate professors:

Caty Borum
School of Communication

Kathleen Holton
Health Studies and Neuroscience, College of Arts and Sciences

Brian L. McGowan
School of Education

Perry Zurn
Philosophy and Religion, College of Arts and Sciences 

Many thanks to these colleagues for their contributions to the university and to their wider fields! 

Wishing you all the best for the rest of the spring semester.