Four West Virginia University professors are the recipients of this years Benedum Distinguished Scholar Awards for their achievements in research and creative endeavors.

The 2000 Benedum Scholars are James Harms, associate professor of English; Ali AbuRahma, professor of surgery; Ronald Balvers, professor of economics; and Harry Gingold, professor of mathematics.

“With this years selections, we continue a long tradition of recognizing and celebrating research and creative activity at WVU ,”said C.B. Wilson, associate provost for academic personnel.”What makes this a particularly interesting year is that one of the recipients, Dr. AburRahma, is from the Charleston campus of the Health Sciences Center. This is indeed a strong class.”

The recipients will be honored at individual awards ceremonies in April. Award winners will receive their $2,500 prize and give lectures related to their field. The public may attend.

The awards ceremony/lecture schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, April 4 Harms, award in humanities and the arts, The Joy Addict: Poems and Reflections on Poetry, 4 p.m., Mountainlair, Rhododendron Room

Wednesday, April 12 Dr. AbuRahma, award in biosciences and health sciences, Stroke (Brain Attack): An American Tragedy; What Everyone Should Know About It, 4 p.m., Health Sciences Center, Hostler Auditorium

Tuesday, April 18 Dr. Balvers, award in behavioral and social sciences, The Predictability of Annual Stock Returns, 4 p.m., Mountainlair, Rhododendron Room

Monday, April 24 Dr. Gingold, award in physical sciences and technology, Asymptotics in Pure and Applied Mathematics, 4 p.m., Mountainlair, Rhododendron Room

All Benedum Distinguished Scholars will be recognized at a special ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 14, in the Mountainlair Ballroom as part of WVUs Weekend of Honors.

The Benedum and Distinguished Professors of WVU established the Benedum Distinguished Scholar Awards in 1985-86 to honor and reward University faculty for excellence in research, scholarship or creative endeavors. The awards recognize either a single recent achievement of note or a long, distinguished career that is still ongoing. The program is funded by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and coordinated by the Office of Academic Affairs and Research.