Lawrence G. Shelton, associate professor in human development and family studies in the College of Education and Social Services, has been named the 2020–2021 recipient of the President’s Distinguished University Citizenship and Service Award in recognition of his creative leadership and institution building for the University of Vermont.

Professor Shelton retires after 50 years of service to UVM, during which he made an indelible impact on UVM’s teaching methodologies, research standards and faculty governance.

A champion for students with disabilities, Shelton brought Universal Design for Learning practices to UVM. He was co-principal investigator for the U.S. Department of Education grant "Supporting Faculty to Teach All Students: A Universal Design Consulting Team Model.” This three-year $1,000,000 grant was instrumental in making UVM more inclusive and welcoming to all students across the university. His work shaped the practices used by today’s Center for Teaching and Learning and Student Accessibility Services.

Shelton also helped lay the groundwork for UVM’s ethical research practices. In the early 1970s, he served on the Committee on Human Experimentation in the Social Sciences, which evolved into the university’s Institutional Review Board. He continued serving as the College of Education and Social Services’ representative on the committee throughout his career, including six years as associate chair. The guiding procedures he helped create are reflected in UVM’s rigorous ethical research standards to this day.

For over 29 years, Shelton exemplified the values of the land grant university through his work in UVM Extension. While serving as faculty consultant to the Family Court Parent Education Program, he helped families at the community level — from providing counsel to couples going through divorce to co-parenting dilemmas during the current pandemic.

As a long-standing member of various college and university committees charged with faculty evaluations, Shelton’s insights were key in creating university guidelines for faculty reappointment, promotion and tenure. His work has been instrumental in ensuring an equitable and comprehensive evaluation of faculty work.

While Shelton’s colleagues praise his long and impressive service to CESS and the university, above all, they laud his impact on students.

Dani Comey, director of the Center for Academic Success, notes: “When alumni speak of Dr. Shelton, they describe him as ‘supportive’ and ‘inspiring.’ They share, often with a smile, about how Larry supported their growth, their learning and their success. Their time with Dr. Shelton — as a student, an advisee or as a student leader on his teaching team — is always fondly remembered. Just as he transforms our community and our institution, he has helped to transform countless students who have taken his courses.”