Dr. Groves is a professor of geography, director of the Hoffman Environmental Research Institute, and director of the China Environmental Health Project. WKU’s Board of Regents approved the five-year appointment Friday.

“I certainly appreciate the appointment,” Dr. Groves said. “Even though I work to coordinate various efforts, it's really with my colleagues and our students all working together on these projects that things happen.”

Dr. Groves and his students have worked on regional projects including many years of collaboration with Mammoth Cave National Park, and he has worked to involve students in international projects and conferences in China, Vietnam, the Caribbean, Greece, Slovenia, and Switzerland among others.

For the past 15 years, Dr. Groves has worked with the United Nations Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) on international efforts to study and protect karst water resources. Earlier this year he was nominated by China’s Ministry of Land and Resources for the “Friendship Award,” China’s highest award for foreign experts working in the country.

Dr. Groves, who joined the WKU faculty in 1991, received his bachelor’s degree in geology and master’s degree in geography from WKU, and his doctoral degree in environmental science from the University of Virginia.

He has published numerous papers, book chapters, conference proceedings, technical reports, and field trip guides; presented at 19 international, 65 national, and 59 regional conferences; and conducted 33 seminars.

In 2007, he became a part of the Million Dollar Grant Club at WKU and has reached more than $4 million in external grant funding.

Dr. Groves’ appointment as University Distinguished Professor continues until 2015.

For a list of University Distinguished Professors, visit http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Support/AcadAffairs/FacultyAwards/UnivDistProf1.htm

For information, contact Chris Groves at (270) 745-5974.