Moore, Niles Named Distinguished Professors
by Joe Savrock (February 2011)
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Faculty members Michael G. Moore and Spencer G. Niles have been conferred the status of distinguished professorship in the College of Education.
Moore and Niles were identified from among a strong pool of seven faculty candidates nominated by faculty, staff, and students of the College. A special Distinguished Professor Review Committee, assembled by Dean David H. Monk, reviewed the nominations and forwarded its recommendations to University Provost Rodney Erickson and President Graham Spanier for final consideration.
Moore, professor of adult education, is widely known for his scholarship in distance education. He published the first statement of theory about distance education in 1972. In 1986 he founded The American Journal of Distance Education and continues today as the journal’s editor.
Niles, professor of counselor education, is department head of Counselor Education, Counseling Psychology, and Rehabilitation Services. He is editor of the Journal of Counseling & Development and is past-editor of The Career Development Quarterly. Niles has served as president of the National Career Development Association.
"These are both outstanding and highly accomplished members of the College of Education faculty,” said Monk. "I am delighted that we are able to honor them both with the distinguished professor designation.”
The review committee consisted of the College’s three current distinguished professors—Roger Geiger, Kathleen Heid, and Hoi Suen—as well as Waterbury Chaired Professor Richard Duschl and Professor Stephanie Knight, who was named to the committee by the College’s Faculty Council.
The College of Education recently became eligible to raise its total of distinguished professorships from four to five. With the retirement last year of Patrick Terenzini, distinguished professor emeritus, an extra vacancy was created, allowing for two prospective appointments this year.
According to Penn State Policy HR10, the number of distinguished professors in each College may not exceed 10 percent of the number of faculty members who hold standing academic appointments at the rank of full professor.
