Law professor and Academic Senate stalwart Dan Simmons is the recipient of the Charles P. Nash Prize for 2009.

The Nash prize, in its second year, is presented by the senate, Academic Federation and Davis Faculty Association in recognition of exceptional achievement and commitment to promoting shared governance, and advocacy for faculty interests and welfare.

Simmons’ efforts on be-half of shared governance — whereby the UC administration governs in concert with the faculty — is passionate and unparalleled, according to faculty colleagues who nominated him for the Nash prize.

Simmons served as chair of the Davis Division of the Academic Senate from 1991 to 1993 and again from 2004 to 2006. He now serves as a divisional representative to the Academic Senate’s systemwide assembly.

A dinner in Simmons’ honor is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 27 at the University Club. The price is $35 per person; reservations are due by 5 p.m. April 13, and can be arranged by contacting Nancy Kilpatrick, (530) 752-2220 or nlkilpatrick@ucdavis.edu.

Senate, federation organize joint reception for teaching and research award recipients.