NCURA Region V presents Dr. Thomas B. Spencer with Distinguished Service Award

By María González

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – OCT. 31, 2023 — The National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) Region V has selected Dr. Thomas B. Spencer, Associate Vice President for Research Operations at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, as the winner of its 2023 Distinguished Service Award.

Established in 2001, the NCURA Distinguished Service Award acknowledges individuals who have sustained and made distinctive contributions to the organization.

These contributions encompass a wide range of activities, from serving as a regional officer, chairing regional committees, and presenting at regional meetings, to mentoring fellow members and actively fostering the growth and professional development of research administrators in Region V.

Dr. Spencer, with over two decades of experience in academia and research administration, currently holds the position of AVP for Research Operations and serves as an Associate Professor of Health Sciences in the Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences at UTRGV. ?He has been a dedicated member of NCURA since 2007.

Expressing his gratitude for the award, Spencer remarked, “I hold each of the previous DSA Recipients in high regard for their service to NCURA and to our profession. I am honored to be counted among these amazing people and thank the members of Region V for their support and the opportunity to serve.”?

Since joining NCURA, Spencer has made significant contributions in various capacities, including his service as a Region V elected Chairperson and elected member of the NCURA Board of Directors. Additionally, he has consistently served as a volunteer and presenter at regional and national conferences.

Dr. Can (John) Saygin, Senior Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate College, stated, "This recognition exemplifies Dr. Spencer's contributions to both NCURA and our university's research community as a whole, benefiting many.”

“His proven expertise in research administration and mentoring has significantly impacted our UTRGV research administrators, elevating our research enterprise to new heights and ensuring a lasting influence on the next generation of research administrators," Saygin added.

The accolade was presented to Spencer at the NCURA Regional Meeting during a special recognition luncheon held on October 23 at the Downtown Hotel in Sheraton, Oklahoma City.

ABOUT NCURA: Founded in 1959, NCURA is a non-profit professional society dedicated to advancing the profession of research administration through education and professional development programs, the sharing of knowledge and experiences, and the fostering of a diverse, collegial, and respected global community. With over 7,500 members from over 1,100 colleges, universities, teaching hospitals, and research institutes in 40 countries, NCURA is actively involved in furthering communication and understanding between research administrators both within and outside the US. NCURA's purpose is to serve all members by advancing expertise in the profession of research administration. For more information, visit the NCURA website.

ABOUT UTRGV: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 as the first major public university of the 21st century in Texas. This transformative initiative provided the opportunity to expand educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley, including a new School of Medicine, and made it possible for residents of the region to benefit from the Permanent University Fund – a public endowment contributing support to the University of Texas System and other institutions.

UTRGV has campuses and off-campus research and teaching sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley including in Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville (formerly The University of Texas at Brownsville campus), Edinburg (formerly The University of Texas-Pan American campus), Harlingen, McAllen, Port Isabel, Rio Grande City, and South Padre Island. UTRGV, a comprehensive academic institution, enrolled its first class in the fall of 2015, and the School of Medicine welcomed its first class in the summer of 2016.