Regents Recognize Exemplary Faculty and Professionals

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents recently designated 12 faculty members and 10 agency service, extension or research professionals within the A&M System as Regents Professors and Regents Fellows for 2016-2017.

The Board established the Regents Professor Awards program in 1996 and the Regents Fellow Service Awards program in 1998 to recognize employees who have made exemplary contributions to their university or agency and to the people of Texas.

Charles Schwartz, chairman of The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, said the newest Regents Professors and Regents Fellows are vital members of the Texas A&M System family who bring with them unique skills and perspectives.

“These professors and professionals make The Texas A&M University System extraordinary,” Chairman Schwartz said. “Because of them, the universities and agencies within The Texas A&M University System will continue to thrive.”

Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp said the new Regents Professors and Regents Fellows have proven their commitment to The System’s success.

“These exceptional individuals represent the best of our great System and higher education in Texas,” Chancellor Sharp said. “They are true assets.”

This year’s recipients of the Regents Professor Award are: Dr. David D. Briske, Texas A&M University, T.M. O’Connor Professor; Dr. Pamela J. Brouillard, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Professor of Psychology; Dr. José J. Cardona-López, Texas A&M International University, Professor of Hispanic Studies; Dr. William H. Griffith III, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Professor and Department Head of the Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics; Dr. Daniel L. Jones, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Professor and Department Head of Public Health Sciences; Dr. Panganamala R. Kumar, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, Professor and Holder of the College of Engineering Chair in Computer Engineering; Dr. William J. Merrell, Jr., Texas A&M University at Galveston, Professor and George P. Mitchel Chair in Marine Sciences; Dr. Mildred Golden Pryor, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Professor of Management; Dr. Gregory L. Sanders, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Professor of Music; Dr. Jean A. Stuntz, West Texas A&M University, Professor of History; Dr. Nicholas B. Suntzeff, Texas A&M University, Professor of Observational Astronomy; Dr. Pete D. Teel, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Professor and Associate Department Head for Academic Programs.

Recipients of the Regents Fellow Service Award are: Dr. Jane K. Dever, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Professor and Cotton Breeder; Ms. Cynthia Foster, Texas A&M Forest Service, Department Head for Planning and Preparedness; Ms. Ginger D. Goodin, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Director for Transportation Research Center; Dr. William M. Johnson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, County Extension Agent; Ms. Marilyn M. Martell, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, Senior Assistant Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications; Ms. Stacy D. Morris, Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Assistant Agency Director; Dr. Dean L. Schneider, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, Director for Gulf Coast Regional Manufacturing Center; Mr. Joe D. Smith, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, Training Specialist; Dr. Larry A. Stein, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Professor and Extension Horticulturist; Dr. William R. Stockton, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Executive Associate Agency Director.

The selection process for the awards begins with a call for nominations from the Chancellor, after which an internal selection committee is formed within each institution or agency. Final nominations are put forth to the chief executive officer of each respective entity. They are then subject to a System-level review consisting of academic vice chancellors and past recipients of the awards. Finally, nominations are forwarded to the chancellor and the board for final approval.

To date, 224 Texas A&M System faculty members have been recognized with the Regents Professor Award and 135 agency professionals have received the Regents Fellow Service Award.

About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $4.2 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities and seven state agencies, the Texas A&M System educates more than 140,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceeded $946 million in FY 2015 and helped drive the state’s economy.

Contact: Laylan Copelin
Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications
(979) 458-6425
(512) 289-2782 cell
lcopelin@tamus.edu