University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Senate Committee on Honorary Degrees met Jan. 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Present: Matthew Wheeler, Chair, Larry Fahnestock, Ane Icardo Isasa, Prasanta Kalita, Susan Koerner
Absent: Fred Johnson Asiimwe
Guest: Laura Wilhelm-Barr (Director of Special Events)
A regular meeting of the Senate Committee on Honorary Degrees (HD) was called to order at 9:35 am with Chair Wheeler presiding.
I.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the November 25, 2019 meeting were approved as distributed.
II.PUBLIC COMMENT
No requests received
II.CHAIR’S REMARKS
Wheeler reported that the following nominations were approved by the Senate on December 9:
•James Delany (HD.20.05)
•Mario Molina (HD.20.04)
•Rahul Pandharipande (HD.20.01)
IV.OLD BUSINESS
HD.14.05, Nomination by the College of Media
No new discussion.
HD.16.03, Nomination by the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
No new discussion.
HD.17.02, Nomination by the College of Business
No new discussion.
HD.17.03, Nomination by the Department of History
No new discussion.
HD.20.02, Review of the Bylaws, Part D.13 – Committee on Honorary Degrees
No new discussion.
HD.20.03, Nomination by the Department of African American Studies and the Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities
HD noted that additional letters of support are still needed to proceed with the nomination. The nominators will be contacted regarding the need for additional letters.
V.NEW BUSINESS
HD.20.07, Nomination by the Department of Chemistry
A nomination was received from Martin Gruebele, Professor and Head of Chemistry. HD reviewed the nomination materials and noted the nominee is a Nobel Laureate. HD discussed the strength of the nomination. Letters of support will be requested from the references that were provided in the nomination packet.
HD.20.08, Nomination by the Department of English
A nomination was received from Robert Markley, Head of the Department of English. HD reviewed the nomination materials and noted that the packet includes five letters of support. HD noted the numerous accomplishments of the nominee throughout her career. HD approved the nomination to go forward for approval at the February Senate meeting.
HD.20.09, Nomination by the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering
A nomination was received from Alexander Vakakis, Donald Biggar Willett Professor of Engineering. HD reviewed the nomination materials and noted the nominee’s connection to Illinois via publications co-authored with researchers working in Illinois and also via former students who are now faculty members on campus. Letters of support will be requested from the references that were provided in the nomination packet.
VI.ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 am.
https://uofi.app.box.com/v/HonoraryDegrees/file/622399991009
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