This could not be more deserved. @mkirschenbaum is, as I know personally, a most generous scholar, who brings rigor, insight, and wit to his work: distinguished, indeed. Good move, UMd.
https://english.umd.edu/news/matthew-kirschenbaum-named-distinguished-university-professor
https://english.umd.edu/news/matthew-kirschenbaum-named-distinguished-university-professor
Matthew Kirschenbaum Named Distinguished University Professor
By Chloe Kim Matthew Kirschenbaum, professor in the Department of English, was named Distinguished University Professor, the highest appointment bestowed to tenured faculty by the university. Kirschenbaum is a researcher and public intellectual internationally renowned for his contributions to the fields of media studies, digital humanities, electronic literature and book history.