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Texas A&M University’s College of Science bestowed its highest alumni honor on СÓÅÊÓƵ Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs DonnaJean A. Fredeen at a ceremony on March 30. 

Fredeen, Class of 1986, was inducted into the college’s Academy of Distinguished Former Students for her achievements and contributions to her profession, community and causes. The induction was part of Texas A&M’s College of Science Spring Recognition and Awards Dinner at Pebble Creek Country Club in College Station, Texas. 

Fredeen received a doctorate in analytical/inorganic chemistry in 1986 from Texas A&M under the supervision of Professor of Chemistry David H. Russell after earning her bachelor's in chemistry in 1981 from McMurry College in Abilene, Texas. Since 2013, she has served as provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at СÓÅÊÓƵ, where she leads the development and implementation of the vision and long-range strategic planning for the University's Academic Affairs division, including Student Affairs. 

During her Texas A&M days as a member of the Russell Laboratory from 1981 to 1985, Fredeen firmly established herself as the go-to person from whom all others sought advice and information while ultimately carrying out a challenging and highly creative research project that resulted in three articles in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the premier chemistry journal worldwide.

After completing her doctorate, Fredeen joined Southern Connecticut State University in 1987 as an assistant professor of chemistry. Within four years, she was promoted and tenured, and then three years later, she became chairperson of the Department of Chemistry. During her four-year tenure, she championed the effort to obtain ACS accreditation for the department's undergraduate program and instituted the first program assessment process while also doubling the size of the budget. 

In 1998, Fredeen was appointed interim dean and subsequently dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. She served 12 years as dean, overseeing 22 departments and five interdisciplinary programs, more than 600 full- and part-time faculty, and a budget of $40 million before moving to Rider in 2013. 

Fredeen is renowned, both as a dean at SCSU and as a provost at Rider, as a model of leadership in STEM education on both institutional and individual levels. During her 30 years thus far in academia, she has demonstrated an unparalleled dedication to science education reform and leadership models in higher education, particularly those that address change leadership and student success.

"Dr. Fredeen's successful academic career and the impact of her work at the national level is clearly illustrated by her impressive curriculum vitae and the supporting letters provided by colleagues working both in academic administration and educational programs," Russell said. "She is an exceptionally qualified candidate, and her entire career from Ph.D. graduate student to provost and vice president of Academic Affairs and leader at the national level in educational programs exemplifies the Aggie spirit."

The Academy was established in 1996 to recognize Aggies who have brought honor to their alma mater and professions through outstanding leadership in mathematics, statistics, the sciences and medicine. Beckerdite, Fredeen and Morris join a prestigious list of 54 previous honorees distinguished for their merit and innovative achievements.

Dr. John M. Beckerdite, Class of 1976 and the Entrepreneur in Residence within Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station’s Commercialization and Entrepreneurship division, and Dr. Jeffrey S. Morris, Class of 1997 and an internationally recognized expert in biostatistics, were also recognized at the ceremony, alongside current scholarship recipients and donors.