The award is the highest conferred by the association. Past winners have been major figures in the sphere of international education and many hold senior positions at major American universities.

Dunnett, who for decades has held a prominent place in his profession, accepted the award at association's national conference held June 1-7 in Phoenix.

He was cited for his "commitment to innovation and excellence in international education, his tremendous accomplish-ments...his significant and far-reaching contributions to the field of international education and to the countless individuals who have had the good fortune of having him as a mentor.

"For more than 20 years," the citation continued, "his dedicated work has inspired the professional development of the field and the people who work in it...Those who work with him are motivated and encouraged by his unquestionably high standards of professionalism."

The citation also cites Dunnett's "consistent, concerted and sincere efforts to represent U.S. higher education." It notes that his efforts and the increasingly global nature of this discipline "have earned him the deepest respect, trust and admiration of his colleagues, fellow educators, government officials and many others, not only in the United States but...overseas."

The Homer Higbee Award is named for the late dean of international programs at Michigan State University and former president of the Association of International Educators, who pioneered the professional development among international educators. A longtime friend and mentor to Dunnett, Higbee helped UB evaluate its English-as-a-second-language needs and capabilities in the mid-70s at a time when Dunnett was beginning his work at the UB intensive English Language Institute. Dunnett is founder and director of the successful program that marks its 25th anniversary this year.

Dunnett went on to become vice provost for international education at UB, where he holds a full professorship in learning and instruction in the Graduate School of Education. The pioneering institute, now called the English Language Institute, is widely considered one of the best in the United States.

Dunnett was nominated for the award by Bruce Morgan, director of the English Language Institute at Michigan's Wayne State University and Jeffra Flaitz, director of the English Language Institute at the University of South Florida, both of whom received their doctorates from UB and both worked in the UB English Language Institute, and John Schmidt, professor at the University of Texas, Austin. The nomination was supported by many letters of support from his colleagues throughout the country.