Four professors, including one new arrival to the University, have been nominated by their colleges to the rank of Distinguished Professor.

Deborah Tannen, who is joining the Lehman College faculty after 12 years as a professor of linguistics at Georgetown University, is the author of several popular books, including You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation. The book was on the New York Times’ best-seller list for almost four years, including eight months as Number 1. Tannen is the author of more than 80 scholarly articles.

Edwin G. Burrows, who has been teaching at Brooklyn College since 1974, is the co-author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898. Virginia Valian, a professor of psychology at Hunter College since 1987, is the author of Why So Slow?, an examination of the social forces that hinder women’s advancement that has achieved an impact outside the academic field. Carl Riskin, who came to Queens College in 1974, is a leading authority on income distribution, poverty and hunger in China. Several of his books have been described by reviewers as classics in the field.

The nominations are to be acted on by the Trustees at their June meeting.