Bauer, Rulifson selected as distinguished professors | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post, Joy Holster, is a contributor to ECU News Services.

    Two professors in the ECU Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences were inducted as distinguished professors at the college's annual faculty convocation Aug. 25. The honor is traditionally bestowed upon one individual at the beginning of each academic year.

    Margaret Bauer, Rives Chair of Southern Literature in the Department of English and editor of the North Carolina Literary Review, and Roger Rulifson, professor in the Department of Biology and senior scientist with the ECU Institute for Coastal Science and Policy, were selected.

    The professorship is the highest honor within the college and is conferred upon a professor whose career exemplifies a commitment to and a love for knowledge and academic life, as demonstrated by outstanding teaching and advising, research and creative productivity, and professional service.

    "After this year's review of nominees, we were so impressed with the exceptional quality of our colleagues that we did something unconventional – unprecedented as far as I know," said Dr. William Downs, dean of Harriot College. "We found two Harriot College faculty members 'equally deserving' of the Distinguished Professorship. And despite everybody telling me that making two awards 'just isn't done,' that is precisely what we are doing this year."

    "At a time when the value of the humanities is often overlooked, I am pleased that ECU's new Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences starts his first year recognizing the importance of research in the humanities as well as the sciences, and I look forward to seeing Harriot College shine a light on the excellent research and creative activity of many of ECU's humanities faculty in the future," said Bauer.

    "I am very honored to be chosen for the title of Distinguished Professor of the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences by Dean Downs," said Rulifson.

    "I think of the past recipients, and I know that I will have a challenge ahead to live up to their legacy. I truly appreciate the latitude and encouragement from the Dean's Office over 30 years to teach what I love to teach, and to conduct research on coastal issues with Biology graduate and undergraduate students, without whom I could not have accomplished so much in the name of East Carolina University."

    For additional information, contact Bauer at 252-328-1537 or bauerm@ecu.edu, or Rulifson at 252-328-9400 or rulifsonr@ecu.edu.