Dr. Walter Den, who oversees an innovative A&M-San Antonio water resource program, has been named a Regents Professor by The Texas A&M University System, one of the highest honors awarded to faculty across the System.
The designation was approved by the Board of Regents as part of its recognition of 17 System-wide faculty members, honored for their exemplary performance and service during the 2024–2025 fiscal year.
“The exceptional achievements of these individuals reflect the very heart of The Texas A&M University System’s mission to serve the state of Texas,” said Chairman of the Board of Regents Robert Albritton. “These Regents Professors embody that enduring commitment, and their dedication will inspire others across our universities and agencies.”
Established in 1996, the Regents Professor Award recognizes faculty whose teaching, research and service advance their institutions and benefit the people of Texas. Since the program’s inception, 323 faculty members across the A&M System have received the distinction.
“I truly appreciate the recognition,” said Den, a professor in the Department of Natural Sciences. “I think it reflects the importance of my work, and my commitment to my job and fellow colleagues. It’s a real honor.”
Recipients of the Regents Professor designation receive a $15,000 stipend and a commemorative medallion and certificate in recognition of their outstanding work.
Den joined the University in 2018 and has played a foundational role in developing the Water Resources Science and Technology Program, which offers a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, and Master of Science degrees. The program was created to help protect the local waterways and address the critical workforce gap in the water industry, filling positions with local utilities, water treatment plants, conservation districts, and engineering firms.
Prior to coming to Texas, Den spent more than 15 years as a faculty member at Tunghai University in Taiwan, where he began his academic career in 2002. His connection to Texas A&M began through a visiting opportunity in College Station, which ultimately led to his recruitment to A&M–San Antonio.
“When the opportunity came up, the University was still very new and in the process of trying to establish a new water resources program—it didn’t even exist yet. For me, that was a unique and exciting opportunity.”