One is finding clues to climate change beneath the ocean depths, another spearheading a movement that applies evolution to human politics and a third probing the atomic structure of materials for potential technological breakthroughs.
Meet the 2009 winners of Northern Illinois University’s Presidential Research Professorships: Reed Scherer in the Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences; Larry Arnhart in the Department of Political Science; and Michel van Veenendaal in the Department of Physics.
“This year’s award winners are internationally known for truly pushing the envelope in their research and scholarship,” says James Erman, interim vice president for research and graduate studies at NIU. “They’re shedding new light on the challenges of our day, providing insights into human behavior and stretching our knowledge of new scientific frontiers. They inspire our students and their colleagues alike.”
The Presidential Research Professorships are NIU’s top honors for faculty research and artistry. They have been awarded annually since 1982. Award winners receive special financial support of their research for four years, after which they carry the title of Distinguished Research Professor.
Reed Scherer
Department of Geology & Environmental Geosciences
Larry Arnhart
Department of
Political Science
Michel van Veenendaal
Department of
Physics