Harriot College announces distinguished professorship recipient

Dr. Allison S. Danell, dean of East Carolina University’s Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, has announced Dr. Anne Spuches, associate professor of chemistry, as the 2022-27 recipient of the Advancement Council Distinguished Professorship in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

“I am honored and thrilled to have been chosen as the THCAS Advancement Council Distinguished Professor in Natural Sciences and Mathematics,” Spuches said.

Dr. Anne Spuches, associate professor of chemistry, id the recipient of the 2022-27 Advancement Council Distinguished Professorship in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

The professorship, funded by the college’s advancement council members, provides a valuable resource and recognition of the academic strengths in the five natural science and mathematics departments. The faculty member occupying the professorship must have an established national reputation based on their scholarly achievements.

“This professorship is focused on promoting the importance of science to the public. Dr. Spuches’ engagement of students in research and commitment to science communication makes her an ideal candidate for this position,” Danell said.

Awarded for the first time in spring 2011, the professorship provides funds each year, for five years, to be used to enhance the faculty member’s research and support other professorship duties.

Awardees are expected to: be actively engaged in significant research and publication in their scientific and/or mathematical area(s); teach at least one course each semester during the regular academic year; communicate the results of their research to the university community through lectures and/or other presentations; and lead the university community to understand more fully the importance of the sciences and mathematics in higher education and day-to-day life.

After five years, the title and funds are passed on to another faculty member in the natural sciences or mathematics, rotating among eligible departments.

“Dr. Spuches is an excellent choice for this distinguished professorship,” said Dr. Andrew Morehead, associate professor and chair of chemistry. “Her strong and widely recognized research program is the tip of the iceberg.

“She is an outstanding and award-winning teacher, has mentored undergraduate and graduate students with an enviable record of success in their future endeavors and placement into elite graduate programs, and is a leader on multiple fronts in her department and university service. Most importantly, for this position that puts a premium on outreach to the wider community, her record of service, teaching and research outside the department suggests a strong fit with that mission.”

While serving in the professorship, Spuches said she will focus on three main areas.

“It will afford me the time to devote to my graduate and undergraduate students’ success in the lab as we embark on continuing and new research directions,” she said. “It will allow me the opportunity to discuss issues that pertain to faculty success, diversity and retention as well as provide mentorship to new faculty beginning their own academic journeys. The professorship will provide me with a platform to discuss the importance of my research to the broader community and will provide funds to bring in renowned faculty to share with us their cutting-edge research and academic journeys.”