Professor tapped for national award

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars has nominated a JMU professor for its Faculty of the Year award.

"Faculty of the Year" is a new award. Nomination was extended to statistics professor Ching-Yuan Chiang, who declined to comment. Chiang has been with the university since 1982.

According to NSCS Communications Director Emilie Wittenberg, the nomination process was extensive, beginning with lengthy applications. Then the nominated faculty members could choose whether or not to accept the nomination, which required résumés to be sent in along with references and answered questions.

Katie Riley, NSCS assistant director of scholar relations, said, "We weren’t entirely sure what to expect, but it is clear students were looking for ways to honor their professors." She said her organization was impressed with Chiang’s application, and it "embodies exactly what we are looking for."

This award is distinctive in that "[since] the professors were student nominated it really gives the students a voice and adds a unique angle, since it is not professor nominating professor." Wittenberg said.

Nominations were announced in the fall of 2004; contestants will be narrowed down to six semi-finalists and a winner will be announced April 30.

The only major requirement for nominees was full-time faculty status along with student-recognized exceptional scholarship, Riley said. The winner receives a $1,000 personal stipend and $5,000 will be donated to his or her university’s general scholarship fund.

Freshman Merel Broekhuizen is enrolled Chiang’s MATH 220 class.

His teaching methods are fast-paced and confusing at times, making the class difficult all of the time, but his notes are amazing and his overall enthusiasm and passion for the subject matter makes the class worth it," she said.