Christopher Abelt,
Professor of Chemistry, has contributed extensively to faculty
governance in ways notable for their integrity, thoughtfulness, and
broad impact. At the College-wide level, he has served on the Procedural
Review and Personnel Policy committees and as Vice President and
President of the Faculty Assembly. As President, he helped to guide
formulation of the post-tenure review policies and phased-retirement
program, along with a Faculty Assembly resolution in support of the
Charter Initiative that redefined the relationship between the College
and the Commonwealth of Virginia. As co-chair of the Dean's Advisory
Council (now the Council of Chairs and Program Directors) and a member
of several ad hoc committees, he helped to develop and articulate
fundraising priorities for Arts & Sciences as well as creative
approaches for addressing the Provost’s mandated reallocation of 5
percent of the A&S budget. From 2008 to 2011 he served on the
A&S Retention, Promotion, and Tenure Committee. Over the course of
eighteen years of service as Director of Graduate Studies in the
Chemistry Department, he preserved and enhanced the department's
master's degree program, carefully managing funds to both recruit
well-qualified students and support the research needs of the Chemistry
faculty. As department chair since 2008 he has won the respect of his
colleagues for his efficiency and transparency in managing the financial
and personnel affairs of the department and also the introduction of
fees for laboratory courses as part of the evolving financial model for
the College. For his many contributions, it is fitting that Professor
Abelt be recognized with the Arts & Sciences 2013 Faculty Governance
Award.
hristopher Abelt,
Professor of Chemistry, has contributed extensively to faculty
governance in ways notable for their integrity, thoughtfulness, and
broad impact. At the College-wide level, he has served on the Procedural
Review and Personnel Policy committees and as Vice President and
President of the Faculty Assembly. As President, he helped to guide
formulation of the post-tenure review policies and phased-retirement
program, along with a Faculty Assembly resolution in support of the
Charter Initiative that redefined the relationship between the College
and the Commonwealth of Virginia. As co-chair of the Dean's Advisory
Council (now the Council of Chairs and Program Directors) and a member
of several ad hoc committees, he helped to develop and articulate
fundraising priorities for Arts & Sciences as well as creative
approaches for addressing the Provost’s mandated reallocation of 5
percent of the A&S budget. From 2008 to 2011 he served on the
A&S Retention, Promotion, and Tenure Committee. Over the course of
eighteen years of service as Director of Graduate Studies in the
Chemistry Department, he preserved and enhanced the department's
master's degree program, carefully managing funds to both recruit
well-qualified students and support the research needs of the Chemistry
faculty. As department chair since 2008 he has won the respect of his
colleagues for his efficiency and transparency in managing the financial
and personnel affairs of the department and also the introduction of
fees for laboratory courses as part of the evolving financial model for
the College. For his many contributions, it is fitting that Professor
Abelt be recognized with the Arts & Sciences 2013 Faculty Governance
Award.
