Baltimore, MD -- The University System of Maryland Board of Regents has awarded four of its 13 prestigious Faculty Awards to UMBC professors -- giving UMBC more awards than any other USM institution. A campus committee, headed by English department chair James McKusick selected the nominees for consideration.

The Regents Awards, established in 1998, are the highest honor presented by the Regents to recognize faculty achievements. Awards are given in five categories, including research and public service.

Kevin Eckert, a professor in the department of sociology and anthropology and prominent scholar in the field of gerontology, received a Regents Award for Inter-USM-Campus Collaboration. Through his partnerships with the University of Maryland's School of Medicine, he has illuminated the medical and functional outcomes of long-term care for the elderly in assisted-living facilities.

Jay Freyman received a Regents Award for Excellence in Mentoring. As director of UMBC's Honors College and associate professor of ancient studies, Freyman has served numerous students as a personal counselor, career advisor and advocate and has created a variety of effective mentoring structures for the campus.

Lynn Zimmerman, who also received a Regents Award for Excellence in Mentoring, is associate professor of biological sciences, and has served as a mentor to numerous undergraduate and graduate students, who have gone on to some of the most prestigious universities. She also works with more than 700 undergraduates as a mentor/advisor to the UMBC Chapter of the Golden Key National Honor Society.

A Regents Award for Teaching Excellence was awarded to John Jeffries, professor of history and UMBC Presidential Teaching Professor, 1999­2002. Jeffries teaches a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses in American history and served as department chair from 1992-1998.

Each of the recipients will receive $1,000 and a commemorative plaque from the Board of Regents. For more information about the award recipients, please see the April 2000 issue of Insights.