The University of Memphis held a reception Tuesday recognizing faculty members who have made contributions in research, writing and patents.
Interim Vice President for Research Andy Meyers stepped in front of an audience to lead the University's 2014 Research Celebration and PI/Author Reception, held in the Lower Atrium of the Fogelman Executive Center.
The reception honored the faculty and staff who, in the 2013 fiscal year, either authored or edited books or those who worked as a principal investigator for a sponsored project.
The University also acknowledged principal investigators-those who manage research projects-who became "PI Millionaires," or those whose grants and funds have accumulated $1 million or more over their years working as a principal investigator.
For the first time, the reception also recognized faculty inventors who have obtained patents or licensed technology in the past five years.
Meyers began his speech by explaining how his office operates with focus groups and thanked those involved. He then called the PI Millionaires and congratulated their work by giving them certificates signed by himself and Provost Michael David Rudd.
Scholars who were recognized for the first time in the principal investigator position also received certificates.
"It's a big deal for a person to be in his or her first leadership position," Director of Research Development Deborah Hernandez said.
Those who wrote or edited books were only asked to stand. There was no applause when the names of absent writers were called with the exception of Don Franceschetti, who received louder applause than anyone else.
Franceschetti, a physics professor, fell down the flight of stairs leading into the reception before the event began and was taken away by ambulance.
He was attending the event to receive recognition for his book "Careers in Physics."
Instruction Curriculum Leadership Professor J. Helen Perkins received recognition for becoming a PI Millionaire with her research in content literacy. She explained that the money comes from government grants and service contracts.
"I worked with Memphis City Schools to try and improve their teacher literacy rate," Perkins said. "We find out what the needs are and help improve them."
Over the past eight years, Perkins has received $1 million total in grants.
For Meyers, recognizing faculty inventors is an exciting opportunity.
"The ability to recognize the commercial value of your research is important and something we find very valuable at the University of Memphis," Meyers said.
