Three named Chester Fritz Distinguished Professors
UND’s highest academic honor goes to Rebecca Rozelle-Stone, Rachel Navarro and Diane Darland
Three UND professors were delighted when UND President Andy Armacost and Provost Eric Link visited their classrooms on Wednesday.
The president and provost recognized Rebecca Rozelle-Stone, professor of Philosophy & Ethics; Rachel Navarro, professor of counseling psychology; and Diane Darland, professor of Biology, as Chester Fritz Distinguished Professors, bestowing upon the trio UND’s highest academic honor.
The award recognizes an exclusive club of professors, lauded for their excellence in teaching, research and service. Recipients are selected via a nine-member panel convened by the provost; the panel assesses letters of nomination from deans, former students and fellow professors in rendering a decision.
Faculty members and administrators were effusive in their praise of this year’s awardees.
“Let me offer my congratulations!” Armacost said while presenting the award to Rozelle-Stone. “You might not know this, but you were one of the first professors I met when I came here 4½ years ago. I’ve admired your work ever since.”
“I’m really flattered,” Rozelle-Stone responded with laughter. “I don’t know how I’m going to be able to teach after this.”
In a nomination letter, Caroline Campbell, professor of History & American Indian Studies, agreed with Armacost, speaking highly of Rozelle-Stone’s scholastic aptitude.
“I have worked with Dr. Rozelle-Stone in a variety of capacities since she arrived at UND in 2010 and can say without a doubt that she represents the best of the University,” Campbell wrote. “She is a brilliant intellectual, as her research on the French philosopher Simone Weil has positioned her as the leading scholar of this influential thinker. Her approach to teaching is deeply thoughtful, as she pushes students to think outside the box and develop their own way of contemplating the world.”
In his nomination letter supporting Darland, Brad Rundquist, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, cited her ability to mentor students and provide them with research opportunities outside the classroom.
“While others may be content to maintain the status quo when things are running smoothly, Dr. Darland routinely takes the initiative to create, enact, improve and inspire,” Rundquist wrote.
Upon receiving the award, Darland praised the support of her colleagues and the University as a whole.
“I have really appreciated UND as an institution,” she said. “It has given me opportunities to grow and connect with people in a meaningful way. The community is phenomenal — I wouldn’t have been able to do what I’ve done professionally without the amazing colleagues here.”
Shelbie Witte, dean of the College of Education & Human Development, highlighted Navarro’s commitment to service, in addition to the versatility of her research. In particular, Witte said, Navarro has served as a mentor to early career faculty members, along with chairing committees advancing research within the college.
“Dr. Navarro’s exceptional contributions to research, teaching and service have had a profound impact on the University and beyond, making her truly deserving of this prestigious recognition,” wrote Witte in her nomination letter.
Daphne Pedersen, Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor of Sociology, concurred with Witte’s assessment.
“What I know of Dr. Navarro’s record and by working with her, reinforces that she is more than deserving of this recognition,” Pedersen wrote. “She has made outstanding contributions to the mission of the institution, its programs and students and the professional communities of which she is a part.”
Upon receiving the award from Armacost, Navarro was overcome with emotion. She said she felt “overwhelmed,” yet grateful for the recognition.
“Those of you who know me know I’m usually not speechless, but I am now,” she said. “I really appreciate this.”
