UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Five Penn State professors have been named Evan Pugh University Professors, an elite and prestigious distinction conferred by the University on only 84 faculty members since the establishment of the designation in 1960.

The five professors newly bestowed with the University’s highest faculty honor, effective July 1, are:

• W. Niel Brandt, Eberly Family Chair Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Eberly College of Science
• Long-Qing Chen, Hamer Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
• Runze Li, Eberly Family Chair Professor of Statistics, Eberly College of Science
• Karen Thole, professor of mechanical engineering, College of Engineering
• Adri van Duin, distinguished professor of mechanical engineering, College of Engineering

The professorships are named for Penn State’s founding president, Evan Pugh, a renowned chemist and scholar who was at the helm of the University from 1859 to 1864.

"I am continually inspired by and proud of the extraordinary caliber and accomplishments of Penn State’s world-class faculty. Penn State’s Evan Pugh University Professors embody our commitment to excellence, innovation, creativity, discovery, scholarship and achievement at the highest level,” said Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi. “I am deeply grateful to these five faculty members for advancing their fields, mentoring their students, and strengthening our University. It is my honor to recognize them as Evan Pugh University Professors.”

The Evan Pugh University Professorships are awarded to faculty members who are nationally and internationally recognized leaders in their fields of research or creative activity; demonstrate significant leadership in raising the standards of the University with respect to teaching, research or creativity, and service; display excellent teaching skills with undergraduate and graduate students who go on to achieve distinction in their fields; and receive support from colleagues who also are leaders in their disciplines.

The Office of the Faculty Affairs oversees the program, as delegated by the Office of the President. An advisory committee of seven Penn State faculty members, including three Evan Pugh professors, reviews nominations for the honor and makes recommendations to the University president.

(e) [email protected], (e) [email protected] (o) 814-863-8101 N-229 Millennium Science Complex

(e) [email protected] (o) 814-863-6277 240 Research Building East

126 Land and Water BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16802

(e) [email protected]