NEWS

Upon learning that he would be receiving the FAU Researcher of the Year award at last year’s Honors Convocation, Sameer Hinduja, professor of criminology and co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, recalls feeling “shocked out of his mind.”

“[These awards] are extremely prestigious honors — the highest awards that our university has for faculty,” Hinduja said.

But these awards are not just resume boosters. There’s also a monetary prize in the form of research grants for faculty and scholarships for students, according to James Capp, the communications and events coordinator at the office of the provost.

The 42nd Honors Convocation, which awards accolades to the best faculty members and students from the different disciplines at FAU, will be held this Wednesday, April 13, at 4 p.m. in the University Theatre on the Boca campus.

The event is free. FAU President Mary Jane Saunders, Interim Provost Diane Alperin and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Robert Stilley will be hosting the ceremony.

“This is the university’s only major academic awards night for students and faculty members,” said Capp, adding that 200 people are expected to attend.

During the event, 15 awards will be given, including Distinguished Teacher of the Year and the Stan and Renee Wimberly Scholarship.

In 2009, Eric Chiang, an associate professor and graduate director in the College of Business, was awarded Teacher of the Year.

“This award has helped with my professional career,” Chiang said. “It’s one of the best credentials one could have on a CV [curriculum vitae].”

An economics professor at FAU for nine years, Chiang believes he won the award because he was able to “connect with students.”

“I remember most of my students’ names, and always look for new ways to make the learning process fun,” Chiang said.

According to Chiang, the selection process is completely in the hands of a committee of students, who are selected by each college. These students nominate faculty, review portfolios and then interview the finalists from each college — a process that takes four months.

Prospective award winners for the scholarships are decided by a committee, which includes former Distinguished Teacher of the Year winners as well as the president of the Phi Kappa Phi honors society, Capp said.

This year’s Distinguished Teacher of the Year award will go to Deborah Floyd of the College of Education, who will giving the keynote speech.

“Students should attend Honors Convocation to hear about the achievements of their peers and to learn about their professors’ recent research,” Alperin said. “There are some exciting things happening in the academic community at FAU, and this is a great opportunity to learn about them.”