SPDC's Rex LaMore receives Simmons Chivukula Award for Academic Leadership
By Kendahl MacLaren
Rex LaMore, PhD, director of the MSU Center for Community and Economic Development and faculty member in the Urban and Regional Planning Program, was recently honored with the inaugural Simmons Chivukula Award for Academic Leadership. Dr. LaMore received the award at MSU’s Orientation for New Administrators on August 15, 2018.
The Simmons Chivukula Award is sponsored by a gift from Elizabeth H. Simmons, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of California, San Diego, and R. Sekhar Chivukula, PhD, MSU Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of Undergraduate Studies. The award is given for exemplary work in academic leadership at the ranks of department chair, school or unit director, assistant dean, or associate dean. A committee of five current and former administrators at various levels reviewed the 19 nominations. The award was presented to LaMore, as well as to Kelly Millenbah, PhD, the associate dean of Academic and Student Affairs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
LaMore has focused his career on the unique challenges of revitalizing distressed communities and policies and practices related to promoting equitable and sustainable development. He has more than 40 years of experience in community and economic development. “Academic leadership calls upon us to inspire creative excellence in an already excellent community of faculty, students, staff and community partners,” LaMore said. “To be recognized as an outstanding leader in the academic community is very humbling. I am deeply honored to be recognized as an inaugural recipient of the Simmons Chivukula Award for Academic Leadership.”