Oliver, de León Named UND’s 2026 Chester Fritz Distinguished Professors

(Photo by Joe Banish/UND Today)

(By Walter Criswell. UND Today) – Emily Cherry Oliver, professor and chair of Theatre Arts, and Pablo de León, professor and chair of Space Studies, have been named the University of North Dakota’s 2026 Chester Fritz Distinguished Professors — UND’s highest honor for faculty.

The Chester Fritz Distinguished Professorship recognizes faculty who excel in teaching, research and service. Honorees are selected through a provost-convened panel that reviews nominations and letters from deans, peers and former students.

Provost Eric Link — joined by Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Randi Tanglen, Theatre Arts colleagues and fellow Chester Fritz Distinguished Professors — surprised Cherry Oliver in a Starcher Hall classroom as she taught students about playwrights Bertolt Brecht and Augusto Boal.

“It really is an honor to be able to grant this award to you in recognition of all the great teaching, research creativity and your work in productions across the state and nationally,” Link said to a visibly surprised Cherry Oliver. “You’re an outstanding faculty member, and we are so pleased to have you at UND.”