Chancellor's Medal for Research and Creative Activities Becomes Highest Honor for Faculty
JONESBORO – The Chancellor’s Medal for Research and Creative Activities becomes the highest honor for Arkansas State University faculty members who are engaged in original work designed to discover new knowledge, Chancellor Kelly Damphousse announced this week.
Thanks to the generous support of the Beck Foundation and A-State alumnus Buddy Beck, the Chancellor’s Medal also paves the way for the creation of another research honor, the Emerging Faculty Scholar Award.
“Throughout his career, Buddy Beck has pushed back the frontiers of what is possible, and encouraged the efforts of research and development,” Damphousse said. “The new Chancellor’s Medal will recognize that vital work on our campus through a stipend as well as the recognition that comes from selection as the top researcher near the end of each academic year.”
The recipient of the Chancellor’s Medal for Research and Creative Activities will be selected by the Faculty Awards Committee. The award includes a $5,000 stipend to support further research, doubling the size of A-State’s previous faculty award stipend. The criteria are based on publications, presentations, performances/exhibits and grants received.
To recognize the work of early career faculty members, the university is establishing the Emerging Faculty Scholar Award, which will include a $2,500 stipend to the winner. All pre-tenure faculty members at Arkansas State are eligible for the Emerging Faculty Scholar Award.
“Creating the Chancellor’s Medal for Research and Creative Activities and the Emerging Faculty Scholar Award will greatly elevate the profile of research work at Arkansas State,” Vice Provost for Research and Technology Transfer Tom Risch said.
The Chancellor’s Medal will be announced as a part of the annual Faculty Achievement Awards as a part of the university’s annual Convocation of Scholars celebrations this year, with the Emerging Faculty Scholar beginning next spring.
“We feel it is vital to recognize our faculty members who are engaged in the work that defines us as a Research 2 national university,” Damphousse said. “Thanks to the generosity of Buddy and Charlotte Beck, we can support and honor two researchers each year, and specifically encourage our younger faculty members in their work.”
In addition to the stipend, the recipient of the Chancellor’s Medal will join the Spring Commencement procession wearing the medal.
“Our Discover 2025 Strategic Plan includes increasing how we recognize and reward the research and creative activities of our faculty,” Damphousse said. “We will include our top researcher as a part of our Spring Commencement, and the recipient will have the honor of wearing the medal as a part of their commencement regalia for the rest of their careers.”
The Chancellor’s Medal will feature the enduring image of Arkansas State, the Memorial Arch, and the face of A-State’s inaugural and longest serving president, V.C. Kays.
“We think it’s fitting that the administrator who worked tirelessly to establish Arkansas State as a hub for knowledge in our state adorn this award,” Damphousse said.
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