Two outstanding professors were honored with one of the highest awards achievable for an ISU faculty member during the Spring Convocation Monday.

David Lynch, distinguished professor of physics and astronomy, and Richard Manatt, university professor of educational leadership and policy studies, both received the Margaret Ellen White Graduate Faculty Award.

The award is given annually to two professors who have been resourceful and influential role models to graduate students, while enhancing the student-professor relationship.

The award was founded in 1987 by Margaret Ellen White, a former administrative assistant for Iowa State, said Dorothy Pimlott, administrative specialist. “Everybody who has received the award knew [White] personally, and they feel quite honored to receive the award,” she said.

Lynch said he allows his students freedom while doing their research, leading and motivating them by example. He said he makes himself available to the students for questions, maintaining an open door policy.

“Students can come in any time and ask me questions,” he said.

Manatt said he instills a caring, family-like environment, while demonstrating his expertise to graduate students.

“I have graduated over 1 percent of all Ph.D.s at Iowa State,” Manatt said.

To receive the award, graduate student senators nominate a member of the graduate faculty from their department who has worked with at least six graduate programs of study. A Graduate Student Senate committee reviews the nominations to choose the finalists, who are then recommended by a university panel as final recipients of the award.

“I’ve had a lot of awards, and none of them have made me as happy as this one did,” Manatt said.