Parameswaran named Wells Professor
Radhika Parameswaran, professor and chair of journalism in The Media School, has been named Class of 1950 Herman B Wells Endowed Professor.
She is one of three Indiana University Bloomington faculty members this year and one of only six ever to have been appointed to professorships endowed by alumni to honor longtime IU President and Chancellor Herman B Wells.
“Radhika is a multidimensional scholar/teacher/administrator who has been absolutely vital to the success of The Media School,” said Media School dean James Shanahan. “I’m pleased that her accomplishments are recognized with this award, along with her colleagues and students who benefit from her expertise and unflagging collegial good cheer.”
Parameswaran said she was deeply honored by the appointment.
“I’m particularly pleased because it recognizes my teaching and research that touches on globalization, gender and race issues, which are so important for students to learn about,” she said. “It’s a part of IU’s commitment to international education and international students.
“It’s also nice that media research and media scholarship become part of the Herman B Wells Professorship.”
Parameswaran conducts research on gender and media globalization, South Asia and postcolonial studies. Her numerous publications in leading journals emphasize the ways in which historical and economic processes, such as colonialism, nationalism and globalization, shape the social construction of gender and modernity. She is a two-time recipient of Journalism’s Gretchen Kemp Award for outstanding teaching.
Selection as Herman B Wells Endowed Professors recognizes faculty members who are extraordinary scholars and teachers and have been inspirational instructors of undergraduate students.
The IU Bloomington graduating classes of 1948 and 1950 raised funds to endow the professorships in honor of Herman B Wells, who served as the 11th president of Indiana University from 1937 until 1962 and as university chancellor from 1962 until his death in 2000.
Wells Professors receive a grant of $10,000 per year for five years, intended to enrich the educational experience at IU Bloomington. They will retain the title for the remainder of their careers at Indiana University. All full-time professors at IU Bloomington are eligible for consideration, with preference given to faculty who do not hold another titled professorship.
Other Wells Professors named in June were Jawshing Arthur Liou, professor of digital art and chair of studio art in the School of Art and Design, who was named Class of 1950 Herman B Wells Endowed Professor; and Dina Okamoto, professor of sociology and director of the Center for Research in Race and Ethnicity in Society, who was appointed Class of 1948 Herman B Wells Endowed Professor.
Kosali Simon of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs was named Class of 1948 Herman B Wells Endowed Professor in 2016. Previous appointees include Abhijit Basu in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and the late Myrtle Scott in the School of Education.
“Chancellor Wells had a deep concern for the wellbeing of students and devotion to diversity, inclusion and academic excellence,” said Eliza Pavalko, vice provost for faculty and academic affairs, who announced the appointments. “Professors Liou, Okamoto and Parameswaran exemplify these qualities. They are exceptional scholars and teachers who are highly deserving of this appointment.”
Adapted from a story in Inside IU Bloomington.