An archaeologist known for his expertise on Mayan culture, a computer scientist who has used virtual worlds to teach and entertain and the director of a storm-water research center helping to solve the state’s water problems won the highest honor awarded to University of Central Florida faculty members on Wednesday.

Arlen Chase, Charles Hughes and Martin Wanielista won the Pegasus Professor awards for 2007, the first year that three professors have been so honored. All three were recognized during the annual Founder’s Day ceremony for their dedication to their work and to helping their students and colleagues excel.

Since 2000, 13 professors have received the Pegasus Professor Award, which recognizes sustained excellence in teaching, research and service. Each winner receives a check for $5,000; a statue of Pegasus, the UCF symbol; and a gold medallion engraved with a Pegasus logo and his or her name.

Arlen Chase, who is the interim chair of the Department of Anthropology in the College of Sciences, is the co-director of the Caracol Archaeological Project in Belize in Central America. Partnering with his wife, fellow Pegasus Professor Diane Chase, he has studied at the Mayan site every year since joining UCF in 1984.

Chase’s exploration and restoration of the Mayan ruins is internationally recognized in the field of archaeology. His research at the ancient site has greatly improved the knowledge of Mayan civilization and served as the foundation for the research of hundreds of other scholars.

Chase has played a key role in raising the recognition and popularity of anthropology at UCF. Under his guidance, enrollment has doubled in the department, which recently added a master’s degree program.

“Arlen gives his all -- whether it is as a teacher of a wide range of courses in Maya archaeology or as a friendly adviser of the ever-increasing number of students who have been attracted to the study of anthropology and archaeology,” said Sociology associate professor Ida Cook in a nomination letter.

Chase helped design the Mayan archaeology and Mayan studies courses at UCF and promoted interdisciplinary teaching.

“Of the many members of our profession, there are few that can compare with Arlen Chase for extraordinary teaching,” said Jose Fernandez, Pegasus Professor and dean of the College of Arts and Humanities. “A major contributor to student mentoring, Arlen has been responsible for guiding a cadre of students who have gone on to pursue their studies at renowned universities in the United States and Latin America.”

Chase is a member of the Florida Board of Governors, and he has served on the UCF Board of Trustees and as chair of the UCF Faculty Senate. He has received nearly $1.7 million in external funding from such prestigious entities as the National Science Foundation, the Guggenheim Foundation and USAID.

Charles Hughes, who joined UCF in 1980, is a professor and graduate coordinator of Computer Science in College of Engineering and Computer Science. He has joint appointments in the School of Film and Digital Media, the Institute for Simulation and Training and the Text and Technology Program in the English Department.

Hughes is the director and chief scientist of the Media Convergence Laboratory, which is working with emerging technologies in entertainment, education and training. His work has been applied to applications as broad as cognitive rehabilitation, military training, preschool vocabulary learning, museum displays and forest conservation.

“His career at UCF has spanned over 27 years, and it has been filled with demonstrating how expertly and effortlessly blending teaching, research and service produces great things and great people,” said Eileen Smith, a researcher with the Media Convergence Laboratory and former vice president of the Orlando Science Center. Hughes helped develop MeasureMe, an interactive exhibit at the Orlando Science Center that gathers data “to demonstrate how each of us is different, unique and important.”

He has received $9 million in research grants from various federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research, as well as industry partners.

“His extraordinary ability to bridge across multiple disciplines is reflected in his funding record of integrating successful teams from disparate areas such as cognitive sciences, computer science, mathematics and engineering,” said Hassan Foroosh, assistant professor of Computer Science.

Hughes has produced interactive exhibits for the Zora Neale Hurston Festival and developed a Web site for the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of the Arts. He also worked with the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community to build a digital archive for the Carol Mundy collection of African-American historical artifacts.

Martin Wanielista, who came to UCF in 1970, is the founder and director of the Stormwater Management Academy, which conducts research and public relations in storm-water issues. A UCF Professor Emeritus in Engineering and University Distinguished Professor, Wanielista is considered an expert on water quality and wrote what is considered to be the first reference book on storm-water management.

His recent research has focused on practical applications for the containment or removal of pollutants in water and on introducing green roofs to Florida as a creative solution for storm-water management in urban environments. He also serves as technical advisor to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on the development of new statewide storm-water rules.

“Dr. Wanielista has enough energy and enthusiasm for any three ordinary people,” Engineering professor David Cooper said. “He is constantly striving to find new and better ways of teaching students and inspiring them to get the most out of their education.”

Wanielista served as dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science for 10 years before returning to teaching and research in 2002. The college’s enrollment and quality grew significantly under his leadership, Professor and Provost Emeritus Gary E. Whitehouse said.

“Since his return to the faculty, Marty has built a research program that has led the way in many issues critical to the everyday lives of Floridians,” said Avelino Gonzalez, interim chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Wanielista has received more than $10 million in funding for research. He has garnered additional funding for special projects, including water reuse on campus, the Student Union green roof, and construction of a soil erosion control testing and research lab.