The Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor award is the highest honor faculty can bestow on a colleague. This award was first presented in 1957-58 and has been presented annually ever since. The award was known as the Distinguished Professor award until 1981 when it was re-named in honor of the late Vice President for Academic Affairs Robert O. Lawton. At that time past recipients also were designated Lawton Distinguished Professors.

Video interviews with a number of Lawton Distinguished Professors recounting their first hand memories of Bob Lawton along with a detailed history of the Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor Award at FSU may be found on his biography page.

Selection Criteria

The Robert O. Lawton distinguished professor is chosen from the ranks of those teaching at Florida State University. The screening committee will make its recommendations on the basis or major contributions to teaching, research, or creative endeavors which have been made by the faculty member during his/her career at Florida State University. To be eligible for this award, the faculty member must be a tenured professor, have been at the University at least 14 years and, above all, have achieved true distinction in his/her discipline or profession. Although scholarly distinction is the primary qualification, evidence of quality teaching, including the directing of graduate research and service to the University and the academic community at large should be emphasized.

Nomination Criteria

A submission prepared by the nominator, should contain a nominating letter, a comprehensive curriculum vita for the nominee (no more than 15 pages), along with any additional evidence of outstanding scholarship. Should the nominee decide to include prominent publications, these should be limited to no more than 5. The nomination package should also include a summary of service contributions (no more than 1 to 2 pages) and a summary of teaching contributions to Florida State University and to his/her profession (no more than 1 to 2 pages). The nomination package should include at least 2 to 4 (no more than 4, please) seconding letters of recommendation from individuals within the University, and at least 3 to 5 letters (but no more than 5) from colleagues outside this university. A brief one-page professional identification should be provided for each author of an outside letter. Please keep the content of each letter concise and include relevant information only.

Selection Timeline

* Deceased faculty member