Pair of VIMS faculty selected for Plumeri Awards
Professors Deborah Bronk and Walker Smith of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science are among 20 exceptional William & Mary faculty members receiving prestigious Plumeri Awards for Faculty Excellence this year.
The awards, now in their third year, are given in recognition of faculty members’ exemplary achievements in teaching, research, and service.
“William & Mary enjoys a great reputation for academic excellence, and the crux of that reputation is our outstanding faculty,” said William & Mary Provost Michael R. Halleran. “Their commitment to student learning, both in and out of the classroom, and dedication to scholarship, help ensure our students’ success. We are especially grateful to Joseph J. Plumeri II ’66 for his vision and generosity.”
The Plumeri Awards were made possible through a significant commitment from Plumeri in 2008. Plumeri said he wanted to “honor and support” faculty efforts at his alma mater and enhance faculty-student interaction. The awards are given to 20 William & Mary faculty members each year with the first awardees named in 2009. All recipients receive $10,000, which is used for research, summer salaries or other stipends associated with scholarly endeavor.
Deborah A. Bronk
A leading expert on the marine
nitrogen cycle, Professor Bronk consistently maintains support from the
National Science Foundation, publishes prolifically, and has accepted
significant leadership and advisory roles in her field nationally and
internationally. Her wide-ranging, education-focused activities, and her
expertise as a mentor and researcher, have attracted students from around the
country to VIMS’ graduate program, and many of her students have won
prestigious external awards and fellowships.
Walker O. Smith, Jr.
An experienced polar oceanographer,
Professor Smith has helped make the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS)
a leader in his field and has assisted in elevating its stature worldwide. He
has involved students and colleagues alike in his research on the Antarctic and
Southern Ocean as well as, most recently, coastal oceanography and
oceanographic efforts in Southeast Asia. His high-profile, cutting-edge
publications make him one of the most cited scientists at VIMS.
For brief biographies of each of
the other 2011 Plumeri Awards recipients—listed below—visit the W&M website.
- Peter A. Alces, Rita Rollins Professor of Law
- Arnab K. Basu, Professor of Economics
- Christopher D. Carone, Professor of Physics
- Rachel DiNitto, Associate Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures
- Pamela L. Eddy, Associate Professor of Education
- Michael S. Green, Robert E. and Elizabeth S. Scott Professor of Law
- John D. Griffin, Class of 2012 Associate Professor of Biology
- Christopher D. Howard, Pamela Harriman Professor of Government
- Rex K. Kincaid, Professor of Mathematics
- Lisa M. Landino, Associate Professor of Chemistry
- Christopher J. MacGowan, Professor of English
- Scott R. Nelson, Leslie Legum and Naomi Legum Professor of History
- John H. Oakley, Forrest D. Murden, Jr. Professor of Classical Studies
- Gul Ozyegin, Associate Professor of Sociology and Women’s Studies
- John C. Poutsma, Margaret Hamilton Professor of Chemistry
- Marc T. Sher, Professor of Physics
- Sarah L. Stafford, Paul R. Verkuil Term Distinguished Professor of Economics and Public Policy
- Timothy Zick, Professor of Law