ATHENS, Ohio -- Four Ohio University professors have been awarded the University Professor distinction for their outstanding contributions to students and education. This year's recipients are Professor of Management Information Systems Raymond Frost, Associate Professor of Psychology Paula Popovich, Associate Professor of Interpersonal Communication Nagesh Rao and Associate Professor of Plant Biology Arthur Trese.

The University Professor program was established in 1970 as a way for students to recognize faculty they deem exceptional. Award recipients are nominated by student vote and chosen by a student committee that interviews the nominees and observes them teaching. Each University Professor receives $2,000 and teaches two classes on the topic of his or her choice.

Frost is in his third year at the university specializing in electronic commerce and database design. He received the College of Business Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award in 2001 and is the co-author of multiple books on e-marketing.

"The students that I have had the privilege to teach at Ohio University are bright, enthusiastic and respectful," he said. "To be recognized by the students is an honor -- one that I will cherish for years to come."

Frost said he plans to teach a class titled "Designing Information for the Web and Beyond," which will investigate how best to visually display information in multiple contexts.

Popovich, who specializes in industrial and organizational psychology, has been at Ohio University for 19 years. She received the Arts and Sciences Teaching Award in 1995 and is the author of numerous publications and presentations including a forthcoming book with Peter Chen entitled "Correlation of Parametric and Nonparametric Measures."

"I am thrilled to receive this honor and I appreciate the recognition for my efforts: Especially since it comes from the students," she said.

Her University Professor class will be titled "Sex, Power and Sexual Harassment."

Rao has been a member of the Ohio University faculty since the fall of 1998. His teaching and research interests are in health and intercultural communication. He is presently writing a book titled, "The role of culture in physician-patient interaction: Insights from Argentina, Brazil, India and United States."

"It is truly an immense honor to be recognized by the students," he said. "This award also belongs to my students, who have been my outstanding teachers. They have supported and encouraged me to learn new ideas and practices, challenged me to think and act differently, and most importantly, taught me to be a better person through this journey."

For the University Professor class, Rao will teach a course titled, "Facilitating intercultural discovery: Journeys within and without" to explore and prepare our students to communicate effectively in a multicultural world.

Trese is in his 11th year at Ohio University and specializes in molecular biology of plant symbiosis and plant disease. He is the recipient of the 2001 Jeanette Grasselli Brown Faculty Teaching Award and the 2001 College of Arts and Science's Dean's Outstanding Teacher Award.

"To be selected by students taking my non-majors science courses implies that I have been able to bring my concern for the intersection of biological science and human activity to the level that students feel they are 'getting it'," he said. "If that means that they are more likely to maintain an interest in biology for the rest of their lives, wow, that would be all the reward I could hope for."

Trese plans on teaching a course on science and bioethics for his University Professor class next year.