A selection committee chaired by Dr. Larry Boyd, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, will select the recipient and confer the award in conjunction with Spring Commencement. The University Scholar of the Year recipient will receive a golden medallion which will be worn as part of the recipient's academic regalia. The award may also include a small stipend and a designated reserved parking space. The College Scholar of the Year Award and University Scholar of the Year Award were developed by the University's faculty organization, the Faculty Senate, to annually recognize outstanding professionalism among the members of the University faculty. Dr. Stephen E. Lunce, Associate Professor of Information Systems and Faculty Senate President, explained that the awards provide a public recognition for exceptional professionalism, as it is defined by colleagues, peers and fellow professors.
Exceptional professionalism is measured by different criteria in different disciplines.
It may be recognized by publication in scholarly journals, through performance arts, through curricular development, or it may be recognized by the successes of the scholar's students. Dr. Balasundram Maniam, Scholar of the Year for the College of Business Administration, holds a B.S. and M.B.A. from Arkansas State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi. Dr. Linda Medearis, Scholar of the Year for the College of Education, holds a B.S. and M.Ed. Dr. Michael Roth, Scholar of the Year for the College of Science and Technology, holds a B.S. and Ph.D. from Colorado State University. Monday - Friday.