Lovrich receives WSU president’s award

Lovrich and Bayly
 
Lovrich, left, and WSU Provost Warwick Bayly at the recent Showcase
recognition banquet, where the award was presented. (Photos by Robert
Hubner, WSU Photo Services)
 
 
PULLMAN, Wash. – Nicholas P. Lovrich, a Washington State University emeritus professor known as a researcher, mentor, interim chancellor and faculty representative to the state Legislature, recently was honored for a career of significant positive impact on the university.
 
“The annual WSU President’s Award for Distinguished Lifetime Service honors dedicated individuals who have given a substantial part of their career to advancing WSU through excellent service in administration, teaching, research, extension or a professional field,” said Fran McSweeney, chair of the steering committee, in a recommendation letter to university President Elson S. Floyd. Lovrich “embodies this description,” she wrote.
 
Lovrich with award
Lovrich with his award.
Lovrich began his WSU career in 1977 as an assistant professor in political science. He served as associate chair and director of graduate studies and became director of governmental studies and services, a position he held for more than 30 years.
 
He was interim chancellor for WSU Spokane 2004-2005 and served on the executive council of the Center for Environmental Research, Education and Outreach at its inception. He became a Regents professor in 2010, placing him among the top 30 professors at WSU, before he retired in May 2011.
 
A prolific researcher, Lovrich received grants from the U.S. Department of Justice, the National Institute of Justice, the U.S. Department of Energy and the philanthropic MacArthur Foundation. He has numerous prominent publications and has written several books.
 
He served as faculty representative to the Washington Legislature for seven years and on the executive councils of the Western Political Science Association and the American Society for Public Administration. He is past president of the Pacific Northwest Political Science Association.
Lovrich received many awards from WSU during his career, including the 2004 College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Distinguished Faculty Award, the 2006 CLA Dean’s Award for Exceptional Service to the College and the 1990-1991 Sahlin Award for Outreach and Engagement. He was twice named the Claudius O. and Mary W. Johnson distinguished professor.
 
Externally he received the 2000 Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education Faculty Mentor of the Year Award, the 1998 Washington State Governor’s Award for Service and Quality Improvement and the 2008 Outstanding Mentor Award from the American Political Science Association, Public Policy Section.