Background and Purpose
The Robert and Rene’ Glidden Visiting Professorship is an annual program that supports short-term academic appointments for distinguished visitors to Ohio University. The purpose of the Glidden Professorship is to expose Ohio University students and faculty to outstanding individuals, and make such individuals aware of the strengths and resources of Ohio University. Glidden Professors are expected to be distinguished individuals who have attained wide recognition based upon artistic, engineering, historical, literary, or scientific achievement.
The Robert and Rene’ Glidden Visiting Professorship, under various titles, was established in 1988 by a $30,000 award from UPAC. Glidden Professorships in the hosting department are awarded by the Provost, acting on the recommendations of a selection committee. The committee has six members, three of whom are from the College of Arts and Sciences, and three of whom are drawn from the other colleges on a rotating basis. Members of the committee serve three-year terms, and are chosen by the Provost from a list supplied by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee. This formulation results in the appointment each year of one faculty member from the College of Arts and Sciences and one faculty member from another college to the committee.
The committee is responsible for soliciting nominations for the professorship from departmental chairs and school directors, evaluating the nominations, and forwarding its recommendations to the Provost. The Provost makes the final determination of awards. The Provost's office provides secretarial support to the committee and administers the disbursement of funds.
Since successful invitations for the Professorship may require a year's advance notice in some cases, awards may be requested a year in advance and receive consideration by the committee for funding from the next year's funds. Any money not spent in one year will be carried over to subsequent years.
Call for Proposals
The Robert and Rene’ Glidden Visiting Professor Committee begins accepting applications for visiting professorships around October of each year. Announcements are sent to all deans, chairs, and directors at that time. Approximately $29,000 is available each year to fund, fully or in part, one or more proposals. The length of the visiting professors' appointments is variable, but one appointment for at least one quarter of the academic year is strongly preferred. Shorter appointments are also possible, but Glidden Visiting Professor funds cannot be used for visits of less than two weeks.
Proposals will be evaluated based on the degree to which they meet the goals of the Glidden Professorship. Preference will be given to first-time proposals, and to proposals with partial support provided by the department or unit. Only in exceptional circumstances will candidates be funded for repeat visits. If a candidate is granted an appointment and is not able to fulfill his/her obligations, the professorship is not transferable.
Departments and other University units are invited to submit proposals.
The deadline for nominations for the 2009-2010 academic year will be January 30, 2009.
The complete application should be submitted in advance of the deadline to the attention of Anita Leach, 310 Cutler Hall.
Detailed Proposal Guidelines
A complete application should include the following:
1. Cover page. (Excel) (PDF print version)
2. Nomination statement. This section may be up to three pages in length, and should include:
Background information on the nominee, explaining how this individual fits the profile of a Glidden Professor in terms of scholarly, professional, and/or artistic accomplishment.
A description of benefits resulting from introducing the nominee to Ohio University, and allowing members of the University community to interact with the nominee.
A statement of the length of the planned visit, and probable month or quarter for scheduling. Visits must be at least two weeks in duration.
A plan for use of the candidate's time in courses, seminars, class visits, conferences, workshops, or other activities on campus. The plan should include at least one lecture targeted to a wide university audience, with a preliminary title indicated. A proposal is more likely to be approved for funding if this section is relatively specific, in terms of identifying classes and seminars where presentations will occur, and indicating the topics of lectures or talks.
3. The candidate's complete, up-to-date curriculum vitae.
4. A letter from the candidate certifying his/her availability for the period of the professorship.
5. Supporting letters from other departments or programs involved in hosting the candidate (if applicable).
6. A budget detailing the basis for the funding request. Allowed costs in the budget are salary (including required STRS, Worker's Compensation, and Medicare contributions), travel costs, and living expense (room and board). Group health insurance is not typically an allowed budgeted expense, however, funds for health insurance may be budgeted if the nominee will be in residence at Ohio University for at least two quarters. Departments should consult with the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs (contact information below) if they plan to budget funds for health insurance. This section should identify the portion of the total budget that will be paid by the hosting unit and/or other university sources.
A budget example can be viewed by clicking here.
Appointments are expected to be announced by early April.
For additional information please contact:
Martin Tuck
Associate Provost for Academic Affairs
Phone: 593-2577
E-mail: tuck@ohio.edu
Anita Leach
Assistant to the Associate Provost and Vice Provosts
Phone: 593-9877
E-mail: leacha@ohio.edu
After fall quarter begins, you may also contact the committee chair, Stephen Bergmeier
Phone: 517-8462
E-mail: bergmeis@ohio.edu
