In August 2011, Bob Axelrod was recognized with one of the University of Michigan's most prestigious honors, the Regents' Award for Distinguished Public Service. The award honors "extraordinary distinction in public service by members of the University faculty." It is designed to recognize public service activities that relate closely to teaching and research and reflect professional and academic expertise.
The University found in Bob an ideal candidate for this distinction, given his wide-ranging contributions to social science scholarship and his tireless efforts to engage with challenges such as conflicts in the Middle East, prevention of nuclear war, cancer research, and so many more.
Brian Jacob was selected to receive a 2011 Faculty Recognition Award from the Rackham Graduate School. Each year, this competitive award recognizes a small group of University of Michigan faculty in the earlier phase of their careers who demonstrate significant achievements in scholarly research; excellence as a teacher, advisor, and mentor; and distinguished participation in service. Called a brilliant economist and scholar, Brian Jacob has made important contributions to scientific understanding and policy debates about school choice, education accountability reform, teacher labor markets, and the consequences of other social policies such as housing vouchers.
Barry Rabe was named one of six 2011 recipients of the prestigious Arthur F. Thurnau Professorship. The award honors just a small number of faculty members each year for "outstanding contributions to undergraduate education." Rabe—who also holds appointments in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and the School of Natural Resources and Environment—was recognized for his commitment to enhancing and expanding undergraduate academic opportunities. Thurnau Professors retain this title for their entire U-M career.
Susan Waltz received the University of Michigan's Rackham Master's Mentoring Award in 2011. For the past ten years, Waltz has served the Ford School and the University by offering outstanding courses in foreign policy and international relations, by mentoring graduate students with an interest in international concerns, and by conducting research and outreach activities that have earned her a distinguished reputation among human rights advocates and educators around the world.;