Wilson H. Elkins Professorships Awarded for 2012-13
Adelphi, Md. (July 25, 2012) -- First established at the University of Maryland in 1978 and
later extended to the newly created University System of Maryland (USM) in
1988, the Wilson H. Elkins Professorships support professors and researchers
who demonstrate exemplary ability to inspire students and whose professional
work and scholarly endeavors make a positive impact beyond the USM.
For the 2012-13 academic year, Elkins Professorships awards
have been offered to faculty at Salisbury University, Coppin State University,
and the University of Baltimore.
At Salisbury
University (SU), Michael Lewis,
professor of environmental studies and Jill
Caviglia-Harris, professor of economics and environmental studies, have
partnered to use their $80,000 Elkins award to expand the quality,
effectiveness, and innovation of SU's Environmental Studies Program. Together,
Lewis and Caviglia-Harris have spearheaded the program, bringing on
distinguished faculty and cultivating global real-life experiences for students
by preparing and encouraging their scholars to complete competitive
internships.
At Coppin State
University, Jamal Uddin is an
assistant professor in the Department of Natural Science, where he teaches
courses in chemistry, physical science, environment science, and
nanotechnology. In 2009, Uddin founded the Coppin Nanotechnology Center. The
center in 2010 discovered a simulated highly efficient solar energy source.
Uddin received several awards for this innovation and research, including The Daily Record 2011 Innovator of the
Year award and 2011 Best Scientist Award from the Bangladesh community in
Pennsylvania. Uddin will use his $65,000 Elkins award to support the Coppin
State University Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Center, with a
focus on designing and simulating photovoltaic cells (photons of light) to
convert solar energy into electricity.
At the University of
Baltimore (UB) School of Law, professor Michael Meyerson teaches contracts, constitutional law, and
American legal history. Meyerson is also the co-founder and director of the
Baltimore Scholars Program, an initiative that works with four historically
black colleges in Maryland to prepare minority students for law school. In addition to his outstanding contributions at
UB, Meyerson has published four books. He will use his Elkins award to support
and expand the Baltimore Scholars Program. The upcoming academic year marks the
third occasion in which Meyerson has received an Elkins award.
The Elkins award nominees represent the USM's commitment to closing
the achievement gap, increasing STEM initiatives, and ensuring environmental
sustainability. Awarding of the Elkins professorship is a fitting way to
perpetuate the name and honor the contributions of Wilson H, Elkins, a former
Rhodes Scholar who led the University of Maryland, College Park to new levels
of distinction, as its president from 1954 to 1978. More information about the Elkins Professorship, including ways
individuals can support the professorship, is available from the USM Office of
Academic Affairs.
Contact: Mike Lurie
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu
