For Release September 26
Board Announces Faculty Awards for Excellence in Research
Brookings, SD—Today, at the annual EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) Conference, the Board of Regents announced recipients of a new award to recognize faculty excellence in research. The award, known as the "South Dakota Board of Regents Award for Excellence in Research," was established to promote research and its importance in higher education and the state of South Dakota.
Regents’ President David R. Gienapp said of the new award, "Research plays a vital role in economic development efforts and the public universities, through their research activities, provide an invaluable resource to business, government, and agriculture in South Dakota." Gienapp explained that the new award will recognize the contributions of individuals within the higher education community who have distinguished themselves through research, as well as significantly enhanced the reputation of South Dakota within the nation’s scientific community. He added, "We are very pleased to have this opportunity to recognize South Dakota’s researchers for their dedication and contributions to South Dakota."
Two awards will be given; one to recognize investigators’ accomplishments early in their careers and a second to honor an established investigator’s contributions to scientific research. Each recipient will receive an honorary plaque and a $1,000 research award.
The early career award was presented to Jon J. Kellar, Ph.D., associate professor of metallurgical engineering at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. He received his baccalaureate and master’s degrees from SDSM&T and a doctoral degree from the University of Utah; he has served on the faculty of SDSM&T since 1990. Kellar has been recognized by the National Science Foundation with the prestigious Presidential Faculty Fellow Award and has been an invited participant in the National Academy of Engineering conference, "Frontiers in Engineering." He is currently organizing an international conference on surface characterization. His own research is in the development of new materials, with an emphasis on how the molecular structure affects properties such as strength and durability.
The established career award was presented to Donald P. Evenson, Ph.D., distinguished professor of chemistry at South Dakota State University, where he joined the faculty in 1983. Prior to serving at SDSU, Evenson was at the Sloan-Kettering Research Institute at Cornell University, Oregon State University, the National Hospital in Oslo, Norway, and the Union Carbide Research Institute. He received his doctoral degree from the University of Colorado and his baccalaureate degree from Augustana College. His research expertise is in the biochemistry of reproduction and growth and he is a nationally recognized leader in the development of a scientific technique known as flow cytometry. Evenson has been a prolific scholar, and an active and successful seeker of grants. Several federal agencies and private foundations have funded his research.
Executive Director Robert T. Tad Perry said, "This is an important award recognizing contributions of our faculty and demonstrating the high importance that the Regents place on research and development. South Dakota should be proud of these achievements and support R&D activities to spur business and industry. It’s for good reason that economists urge more investment in research and development. Data shows that the more states invest the greater their return in higher paying jobs, business expansion, job growth, and more. In addition to the economic benefits, R&D brings national attention to South Dakota’s universities, faculty, and students."
Royce Engstrom, Director of the University of South Dakota Office of Research, added, "Research is a great resource for the state and our students. It enables faculty to be up-to-date on the latest developments in their field and this improves their ability to educate students in current knowledge and technology that students will need in their careers. In addition, research provides an excellent resource for South Dakota business and industry to call upon when in need of help designing and improving products and materials and much more."
Selection criteria for both awards are: evidence of outstanding scholarship in the form of published works, successful grant activity, invited participation in national or international forums, and recognition by appropriate professional societies. In addition, the awards are to be given to individuals who have played a key role in helping other South Dakotans find opportunities through research.