Who Chooses a Distinguished Professor

University Committee on Distinguished Professorships located in Lawrence is a group selected by the provost which chooses faculty from around campus who exemplify the best that the university has to offer in their particular disciplines.

The selection committee consists of faculty representing departments and schools across the campus. It is their job to review nominations and interview distinguished professor candidates before reporting the committee's recommendation to the Provost. Final approval for an award is required not only from the Provost, but also by the Board of Regents.

Nominations for Distinguished Professorships at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City are approved by a review committee made of no fewer than five individuals. The committee usually consists of department heads and is lead by the the center's Executive Vice Chancellor who makes and announces new Distinguished Professorships.


The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.