The Patten Committee invites nominations for the academic year 2008-2009 and would like to be kept informed of prospects and developments that might lead to nominations in future years.
Patten Lecturers ordinarily spend a week on the Bloomington campus, delivering two public lectures that appeal to a general audience, and meeting with interested faculty and students in classes and in informal gatherings. The Patten lectureship stipend is $10,000 plus funds for travel and living expenses while in Bloomington. It may be possible to arrange for longer stays in conjunction with a visiting academic appointment or a fellowship in the Institute for Advanced Study.
Nominations should include
1. A letter of nomination, indicating the
nominee's eminence and potential significance to the university as well as
his/her availability, suggesting possible lecture topics, and documenting the
nominee's ability to speak effectively to an audience that is not limited to
specialists.
2. A preliminary plan of activities so the committee can judge how the lecturer's time will be used. This plan, if possible, should include activities in various departments and may include both faculty and/or student events.
3. Verification that the nominee is willing to visit during the academic year and to stay in Bloomington for a full work week.
4. A short vita enumerating the nominee's principal scholarly and professional attainments, perhaps from Who's Who in America, The Directory of American Scholars, or a similar source.
5. Supporting memoranda from persons in several other departments, programs, or schools, briefly explaining their interest in the nomination and indicating how their faculty and students would benefit specifically from the nominee's presence on campus. These materials should also provide evidence that the nominee is a good public speaker.
The nomination (excluding a maximum of 12 supporting letters) must not exceed 15 pages.
The Patten Committee encourages nominations which promote the international and cultural diversity of intellectual life on campus. The Committee is also especially interested in nominations of qualified women and minorities.
For consideration for the 2008-2009 academic year, nominations and supporting materials should be submitted BY NOVEMBER 1 to Laura Plummer, Executive Director, the Patten Foundation, Bryan Hall 111 (phone: 812-855-2809, e-mail: dof@indiana.edu). The Patten Committee Chair, Robert Hatten (phone: 812-855-1757; e-mail: rohatten@indiana.edu), will be happy to answer questions about the program and the nomination process.
