Engineering's Kimberly Ward Anderson Wins SEC Faculty Achievement Award

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 11, 2013) — The Southeastern Conference on Wednesday announced winners of the 2013 SEC Faculty Achievement Awards, which includes Kimberly Ward Anderson, Gill Eminent Professor of Chemical Engineering in the University of Kentucky College of Engineering. These annual awards recognize professors from the 14 SEC member universities who have meritorious records in teaching and scholarship and who serve as role models for other faculty and students.

Anderson came to UK in 1987 after receiving her doctorate in chemical engineering and bioengineering from Carnegie Mellon University. Her research focuses on biological cell and protein interactions with specific applications in understanding cancer metastasis and improving cancer treatment. Her research efforts have resulted in more than 55 publications and more than 100 presentations at regional and national meetings. Anderson has received numerous honors for her work, most recently the Research Mentor Award from the University of Kentucky Undergraduate Research Program, the Outstanding Chemical Engineering Teacher Award, the College of Engineering Henry Lutes Teaching Award, and the UK Provost's Award for Outstanding Teaching.

"I am continually impressed by Dr. Anderson's ability to perform world-class research and simultaneously connect with and mentor undergraduate and graduate students," said College of Engineering Dean John Walz. "She is an outstanding example of the faculty excellence at the University of Kentucky and wholly deserving of this honor."

To be eligible to receive the SEC Faculty Achievement Award, a professor must be a teacher or scholar at an SEC university; have achieved the rank of full professor at an SEC university; have a record of extraordinary teaching; and a record of scholarship that is recognized nationally and/or internationally.

“The SEC Faculty Achievement Awards provide an opportunity for each SEC university to showcase the strengths of its faculty, who excel in many disciplines with varying areas of expertise,” said Jay Gogue, president of Auburn University and president of the Southeastern Conference. “In the SEC, we are fortunate to have professors who understand the value of classroom instruction, research guidance and scholarly contributions to the overall success of student education.”

SEC Faculty Achievement Award winners, one from each university, will receive a $5,000 honorarium from the Southeastern Conference and become his or her university’s nominee for the SEC Professor of the Year Award. The SEC Professor of the Year receives an additional $15,000 honorarium and will be presented at the annual SEC Awards Dinner in Destin, Fla.

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said, “I want to congratulate the 14 professors who have been selected to receive this honor. They have transformed their classrooms and enriched the learning experience for SEC students. We are truly proud of their accomplishments.”

Chosen by a selection committee of SEC provosts, the SEC Faculty Achievement Awards and the SEC Professor of the Year Award are part of a set of non-athletically related activities the Southeastern Conference has undertaken through its SECU academic initiative to encourage academic leadership and collaboration within the SEC membership.

A full list of the 2013 SEC Faculty Achievement Award winners can be found at http://www.secdigitalnetwork.com/Portals/3/SEC%20Website/2013Faculty.pdf.