Red Cedar Distinguished Professor

Overview
Established in 2023, the university awards the title "Red Cedar Distinguished Professor" to selected current and new faculty to assist MSU in recruitment, recognition, and retention of outstanding faculty at all academic ranks, with the primary aim of enhancing the stature of the institution in research and creative activity.
The award of the title will be made to individuals who combine externally recognized, exemplary scholarly accomplishment and/or potential, with clear professional relevance to specific areas of MSU scholarly need, disciplinary development, or research or creative emphasis. Consideration will also include the candidate's teaching innovation and excellence.
Faculty awardees retain the title of "Red Cedar Distinguished Professor" for the duration of their service at MSU. Each also receives scholarly support of $15,000 per year for the first three years after their award. The funds are provided equally by the nominating college(s), the Vice President for Research and Innovation, and the Provost.
Nomination Process
Nomination should be submitted by an MSU Dean(s) to the Provost and the Vice President for Research and Innovation. The nomination packet should contain (new online process coming soon):
- Letter of nomination from the Dean(s).
- Substantial and laudatory written assessment of the accomplishments and/or prospects of the awardee from external peer reviewers.
- Current CV of the nominee.
- Completed nomination packets should be emailed to vprappts@msu.edu for routing.
Upon selection, the nominating dean and awardee will be notified of approval by the Office of Research and Innovation, and the home college of the professor will prepare an announcement to the University community. Nominations for Red Cedar Distinguished Professorships are accepted on a rolling basis and typically awarded bi-annually at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. New Red Cedar Distinguished Professors are also invited to the university investiture event held in the fall.
For any questions, please contact:
Brooke Gallagher-Rademacher
Chief of Staff
Office of Research and Innovation
Email galla106@msu.edu
517-355-0306
Red Cedar Distinguished Professors
Patrick Edger, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Natural Science, 2023
Irving Vega, Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, 2023
Michelle Moyd, Department of History, College of Social Science, 2023