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Dr. M. Duane Nellis has had a significant impact on the academic programs and physical facility of our College of Architecture, Planning and Design.

In response to trends in architectural design education that transformed existing bachelors' degrees into masters' degrees, during the 2005-2006 school year our faculty studied and then adopted this change in degree nomenclature as it applied to our architecture, interior architecture and product design, landscape architecture, and regional and community planning programs. Further, our faculty explored and adopted a research-based, interdisciplinary Ph.D. as the terminal graduate degree offered by our college. This new Ph.D. not only represented our college's academic diversity, but became a unique degree program that is reflective of contemporary professional practice and of our faculty's talents.

As chief academic officer of K-State, Dr. Nellis readily understood the rationale behind and the benefits of these degree changes to our students, as well as to keep our academic programs at the forefront of architectural education in the U.S. He strongly supported the degree changes and modifications, and he was instrumental in aiding their approval by the Kansas Board of Regents. The majority of the degrees being awarded at our spring 2009 graduation ceremony are due to the insight and support of Dr. Nellis.

Further, Dr. Nellis has become a strong supporter of responsible stewardship on the K-State campus, as well as for the creation of a new or remodeled home for our college that would encompass the principals of sustainability. When realized, this sustainable "home" for our college will truly provide a living laboratory for our students and faculty, as well as put our college at the forefront of sustainability on the KSU campus and in architectural education throughout the U.S.

Dr. M Duane Nellis became K-State's provost and senior vice president in 2004. His priorities include moving the university to among the premier land-grant institutions nationally; continuing to strengthen K-State's position in forward-looking faculty profiles; bolstering K-State's recognized leadership position as a student-centered university; continuing to enhance diversity and civic engagement among faculty, staff and students; fostering creative uses for information technology and creating a more entrepreneurial environment to better serve the university community, Kansas and the region; and aggressively pursuing outside resources that will help K-State reach new levels of achievement.

Dr. Nellis earned a Ph.D. in geography in 1980 from Oregon State University with a specialization in remote sensing and natural resource systems. His first academic appointment was at K-State as an assistant professor, associate professor, and eventually professor and head of the Department of Geography, then as senior associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He also served seven years as dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University.

The Kansas State University College of Architecture, Planning and Design is pleased to recognize the leadership and support of Dr. M. Duane Nellis by nominating him to receive a 2009 Distinguished Service Award.