UA’s Mark Nelson is Finalist for Inspire Integrity Awards

WASHINGTON – Dr. Mark Nelson, vice president for student affairs, vice provost and professor of communication studies at The University of Alabama, is one of 15 finalists for the Inspire Integrity Awards, a national award recognizing faculty members who have had a significant impact on their students’ lives and instilled a high degree of personal and academic integrity.

The awards are presented by The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, an honor society inviting high-achieving freshmen and sophomores as members.

The 2008-2009 Inspire Integrity Awards takes place in five regions throughout the United States. Undergraduate members of NSCS nominate faculty members in each region who inspire integrity through their classroom lectures, activities and curriculum. Those nominated were invited to write a brief essay on the concept of integrity and provide their Curriculum Vitae and a history of their volunteer work.

Regional selection committees selected three finalists from each region. A national selection committee will name the national Inspire Integrity Awards’ recipient and the runner-up on Feb. 9, the start of NSCS’ I Stand for Integrity Week.

The national recipient will receive a personal stipend of $3,000 and an additional $2,000 contribution made in his or her name to the university’s general scholarship fund. The runner-up will receive a $1,000 stipend and a $1,000 donation to his or her university’s scholarship fund.

“The distinguished professors recognized through the Inspire Integrity Awards understand that in order for students to evolve into accomplished professionals and engaged citizens, they must pursue their ambitions ethically and honorably,” said Stephen E. Loflin, executive director of NSCS. “These educators impart the lessons, wisdom and guidance that encourage students to develop that kind of character.”

Nelson joined UA in 1991 as a faculty member in the communication studies department of the College of Communication and Information Sciences. He served as assistant dean and then associate dean for undergraduate studies in C&IS from 1996 to 2006.

Nelson was named vice president for student affairs and vice provost in November 2008, after serving as interim vice president for student affairs and vice provost for a year and as assistant provost for academic affairs from 2006-2007.

Nelson’s area of expertise is in organizational communication and leadership development. He has co-authored two books and authored numerous papers for presentation at the National Communication Association. He has served on more than 50 University committees covering areas from academic performance to the honors curriculum.

Recognized as an outstanding professor, Nelson received the National Alumni Association’s Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award in 2006, the University’s highest honor for teaching excellence.

Nelson earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from UA and his bachelor’s degree from UAB.