Kinner named University Professor

Nancy Kinner, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, was recently named University Professor. After being nominated by the dean of CEPS and recommended by the provost’s council, President Mark Huddleston awarded Kinner with the title last November.

“It’s an honors designation, to say that you’re the kind of person that does certain things that distinguish you,” Kinner said.

The University Professor is a highly distinguished and sought after honor. It is appointed to UNH professors who have been recognized for excellence in teaching and research during their tenure. According to the UNH website, the professors who earn it are expected to have attained international stature with their contributions to their respective fields.  Only four people can be named University Professor at any one time and their appointments last until the end of their time at UNH.

“I do get $20,000 added to my salary, but most importantly is the honor of it,” Kinner said.

Provost John Aber, a University Professor himself, was the one to announce that Kinner had won the award. Aber has known Kinner for at least 20 years and says she deserves the honor.

“She’s just fabulous,” Aber said. “High standards, high quality research. She’s a passionate teacher dedicated to her students, a national class researcher who’s contributed greatly to the study of oil spills.”

Kinner is UNH’s director of the Costal Response Research Center (CRRC) and is known for her work regarding the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. She has received a great deal of recognition during her time at UNH, winning the Distinguished Professor Award, Alumni Achievement Award and the Brierley Award for Excellence in College Teaching. Despite her previous successes, Kinner said she was not expecting to be named at University Professor.

“When I went to a dean’s meeting, I thought we were talking about graduation,” Kinner said, “They started talking about this and I was blown away.”