Thirty-four University of Michigan faculty members are set to receive awards this fall, recognizing their significant contributions in teaching, mentoring, service, and scholarship. These honors will be presented at the Faculty Awards Celebration on Oct. 30.
Distinguished University Professorships
The Distinguished University Professorships, established by the Board of Regents in 1947, honor senior faculty with remarkable achievements in scholarship, national and international reputation, teaching, mentoring, and service. Faculty members, in consultation with their dean, name the professorship after a distinguished figure in their field. The appointment duration is unlimited, and newly appointed professors are expected to deliver an inaugural lecture within their first year. Awardees include:
Juan R. Cole
Richard P. Mitchell Distinguished University Professor of History; Richard P. Mitchell Collegiate Professor of History, LSA
Juan R. Cole has dramatically advanced the understanding of the Middle East and South Asia, blending academic rigor with public engagement. His extensive research, spanning various epochs, political boundaries, and languages, attests to his scholarly excellence. Cole has authored 21 books and over 110 chapters and articles, alongside his influential blog, “Informed Comment,” impacting global policy discussions. He has directed international studies centers at U-M and guided numerous graduate students. His recognition includes awards and lectureships at top institutions such as Qatar National University, Northwestern University, and the Library of Congress.
Christian Davenport
Charles Tilly Distinguished University Professor of Political Science; Mary Ann and Charles R. Walgreen Jr. Professor for the Study of Human Understanding, and professor of political science, LSA; professor of public policy, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy; and faculty associate, Center for Political Studies, Institute for Social Research
Christian Davenport has revolutionized the study of political conflict, repression, and human rights. Since joining U-M in 2012, he has produced extensive research on state power dynamics, dissent, and institutional interplay. His work covers genocide, protest policing, racialized repression, and government coercion, influencing research at various levels. With over 12,000 citations, his scholarship on state repression and human rights violations stands out. Davenport has published five notable books and received the 2020 Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza Prize for Democracy. He is a dedicated mentor, fostering learning communities through initiatives like the Conflict, Peace, Research, and Development Group.
Kathryn M. Dominguez
Marina von Neumann Whitman Distinguished University Professor of Public Policy; associate dean for academic affairs, and professor of public policy, Gerald R Ford School of Public Policy; and professor of economics, LSA
Kathryn M. Dominguez, an influential economist, has significantly impacted U.S. and international monetary policy. Joining U-M in 1997, she is known for her theory on sterilized exchange rate interventions. Her work is pivotal in financial research and policy globally. Dominguez was nominated by President Obama for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in 2015. Her service includes roles with the Congressional Budget Office, the European Systemic Risk Board, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. At U-M, she has held leadership positions at the Ford School and currently directs the honors program in economics.
John Jonides
Edward E. Smith Distinguished University Professor of Psychology; Edward E. Smith Collegiate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, and professor of psychology, LSA; acting co-director, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Facility, and professor of radiology, Medical School
John Jonides is a respected cognitive neuroscientist whose innovations have positioned U-M as a leader in human cognition studies. Since 1975, Jonides has pioneered the use of brain imaging to understand executive functions, revealing neural circuits related to information processing and cognitive aging. He co-founded U-M’s Functional MRI Laboratory and launched the Summer Neuroimaging Training course. His work on executive functions has over 80,000 citations, earning him awards from the Association for Psychological Science and the Cognitive Neuroscience Society.
Kenneth M. Langa
A. Regula Herzog Distinguished University Professor of Internal Medicine and Survey Research; Cyrus Sturgis Research Professor of Internal Medicine, professor of internal medicine, and research professor, Institute of Gerontology, Medical School; research professor, Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research; and professor of health management and policy, School of Public Health
Kenneth M. Langa is a leading expert in aging, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Joining U-M in 1994, he has significantly contributed to the understanding of aging disparities. Langa is the co-director of the NIH-funded Health and Retirement Study, the largest U.S. study of aging, securing its $195 million renewal. His leadership has expanded the study globally to over 35 countries. Langa has published over 375 articles and brought $215 million in NIH funding to Michigan, earning election to the National Academy of Medicine and numerous mentorship awards.
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