Proffitt, who will likely lead a University Seminar related to his virtual reality studies, sees the award as a way to promote the value of research in teaching. To effectively teach students about the significance of research findings, faculty need to make connections between the laboratory and the real world, said Proffitt, founding director of the cognitive science degree program, who received an All-University Outstanding Teaching Award in 1997. The ability to explain these connections is an important component of teaching. Economics professor Kenneth G. Elzinga was the first to be appointed to the endowed chair. Chemistry professor Dean Harmon was the second to receive the honor, and English professor Karen S. Chase was named chair last year.
Deans nominate candidates for the chair each spring.
The process assures that there are two chair holders every academic year.