College Station, Texas, April 9, 2012

The WFSN announced today that it has established the Eminent Scholar Award – -  an award to recognize the extraordinary contributions of the women faculty at Texas A&M.  The WFSN established the award with the knowledge that women faculty are in a unique position to serve as role models and mentors for today’s women students at A&M.

Former WFSN President and Director Emerita Carol E. Jordan ’80  is working with Texas A&M to finalize the details and implement the award. Recently, a committee of A&M faculty and Ms. Jordan reviewed 21 dossiers submitted by Deans of Colleges across the University – all describing highly distinguished, incredible faculty women. The woman who will be selected to receive the Eminent Scholar Award will be named in August at an event hosted by A&M President Loftin.
These are a few of the stories about the women faculty at Texas A&M that demonstrate how astonishing they can be:

1. Assistant Professor Zhilei Chen in the College of Engineering, in a collaboration with the Scripps Research Institute, has discovered a molecular compound that dissolves HIV on contact – a significant finding that could lead to the production of a powerful topical preventative for the AIDS-causing virus.
2. Associate Professor Liliana Beltran, in the College of Architecture, has created an award-winning solar light device through the College’s Digital Fabrication Facility that can significantly reduce electric bills by delivering a bounty of natural sunlight deep into the interior of a building.
3. Professor Mary Meagher in the College of Liberal Arts is using her expertise in behavioral and cellular neuroscience to advance an understanding of the impact of stress on multiple sclerosis, pain, and even cancer.
4. Professor Sherry Yenello in the College of Science, whose work normally takes place in A&M’s Cyclotron Institute, has been awarded a highly competitive award from the National Science Foundation to address the unique needs of women faculty. The $3.5 million grant has created an innovative ADVANCE Center Women Faculty on campus.

The WFSN will announce in August the name of the very first recipient of the WFSN Eminent Scholar Award!!