Virginia Conference of the American Association of University Professors Gives Colonel Michael S. Harris Award Annually to a Virginia Public Official

Gov. Mark Warner and Sen. John Chichester Are Previous Recipients

RICHMOND-An association representing Virginia's university professors today added Senator R. Creigh Deeds to a list that includes former Governor Mark R. Warner and former Senator John Chichester for exemplary service in support of higher education. The Virginia Conference of the American Association of University Professors today recognized Senator Deeds with the Colonel Michael S. Harris award for his sponsorship and advocacy of legislation vital to the Commonwealths' colleges and universities.

"Throughout his career in the General Assembly, Senator Deeds has shown his concern for affordability and access to higher education, which is also a matter of deep concern to faculty," said AAUP Virginia Conference President Brian Turner. "His district includes the University of Virginia, but professors at every institution of higher learning have a friend and a representative with Creigh Deeds serving in the Senate."

In the 2007 session of the General Assembly, Deeds sponsored three bills at the request of faculty members. His legislation called for faculty representation on the Boards of Visitors and on the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), and would have provided for reduced in-state tuition rates for children of faculty members and staff.

"It is an honor to be recognized by the Virginia Conference of the AAUP with this award," said Deeds. "I believe that a strong system of higher education is one of the keys to providing opportunity for every Virginian. Our colleges and universities-some of the best in the nation-could not survive without support from state government. It has been my privilege to be a partner for them and the students who are pursuing a higher education."

The AAUP is a faculty membership organization that since 1915 has helped to shape American higher education by developing the standards and procedures that maintain quality education and academic freedom in this country's colleges and universities.

Colonel Michael S. Harris was professor of French at Virginia Military Institute and a past president of the Virginia Conference of the AAUP. The award honors his memory.