Dr. Diljit K. Chatha, professor of English, was honored with the highest award in the Texas A & M University System, the Regents Professor award, on Thursday, Jan. 26.In 1996, the Board of Regents established the Regents Professor award to recognize and honor faculty members who have made exemplary contributions to their university or agency, and to the people of Texas.
Chatha was the only professor honored from Prairie View this year. She is elated to receive the award, but she also feels it is a professional recognition of her and the university. “I’m sure there will be more professors to follow. Prairie View is a great institution to work for and it is in the hands of a caring administration.” She is especially optimistic for the direction Prairie View is headed under Dr. Wright and Provost Dr. E. Joahanne Thomas-Smith. “They are open-minded, positive, and encouraging individuals,” she said.
Nominees for the Regents Professor award must be full-time faculty members who have held the rank of professor or equivalent in the Texas A & M system for at least five years. They must have produced a distinguished record of teaching, research, and other scholarly activities.
Chatha is no stranger to productivity. She has taught in universities in India and the United States, published scholarly articles, and presented her work at professional conferences. Although a very high honor, the Regents Professor award is one of several prestigious honors for Chatha. Her awards include Prairie View Teacher of the Year (1996), the Cornelia Varner Award for Academic Excellence from Texas Woman’s University (1980), and an award for the first rank of graduates at Jodhpur University in India (1963).
However, through all of her awards and triumphs, Chatha remains dedicated to the students. “My number one commitment is to the students. My philosophy is not to penalize them intensively for what I call ‘accidents of learning.’ My attitude is more towards helping them find moments when they can enjoy ‘leaps of learning.'” Furthermore, she recognizes the commitment and the appreciation from the students. “I feel that is my gift [dedication to the students]. I see tremendous commitment on their part. From the very beginning,my students have appreciated me because I have a genuine interest in teaching.”
Thus, she has been a role model for many of her students. She has students who have earned Ph.D.and master’s degrees, and have become successful teachers all over Texas and beyond. With a proud smile, she says, “I am especially proud that I’m working at an HBCU institution. I am happy to be a part of the team that helps Prairie View produce productive people.