Awarded for teaching
The Kemper Fellowship includes a $10,000 award.
Published April 19, 2005
The William T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence were created in 1991 to annually honor 10 outstanding MU professors.
Award recipient Richard Meadows said he did not expect the award.
"It's pretty cool to look forward to going to work," Meadows said. "I get to do that and get an award like this for just showing up."
Engineering professor didn't always plan to teach
Hani Salim, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, who has earned at least eight teaching awards since joining MU six years ago, said he was surprised to win the fourth Kemper this year.
Salim said he had not always planned to teach.
"When I entered college for civil engineering, I thought I always wanted to build bridges and go work in the field," Salim said. "One semester to my degree, I started being a tutor for math at my university. Doing that made me see how much I love teaching."
Math professor enjoys pushing students to excel
Associate professor of mathematics Dorina Mitrea was awarded a Kemper on April 11.
"I'm overwhelmed and humbled," Mitrea said. "It is a pleasure to teach and be recognized for all I do."
Mark Ashbaugh, a fellow mathematics professor, said Mitrea deserved the award because of her attitude and technique.
"She's so good at pushing students to do their best and at the same time, making things friendly," Ashbaugh said. "She always has a smile on her face."
Mitrea has received several awards, including the 2002 Provost's Outstanding Junior Teaching Award. In 2003, she coached the Missouri Mathcounts team that placed second in the national competition and was honored by President George W. Bush.
Mitrea has also co-authored two books and written several articles.
Millspaugh puts students first
Joshua Millspaugh, assistant professor of fisheries and wildlife sciences, was the sixth Kemper recipient this year.
Millspaugh thanked his students after winning the award.
"Thanks to the students, actually, more than anything, the students that make it so exciting, what I do, thank you," he said.
Mark Ryan, the interim director of the school of natural resources, spoke about what makes Millspaugh so special.
"I think (it's) a combination of really cutting-edge teaching styles, communicating, really trying to make others better about teaching and then just the one-on-one work with students," Ryan said.
Missourian editor honored for hands-on approach
John Schneller, associate professor at the School of Journalism, was awarded a Kemper on April 14.
"An award like this is almost beyond my wildest dreams," Schneller said.
Schneller, an editor at the Columbia Missourian, the lab paper of the School of Journalism, said one of the best parts of the award was having the Missourian staff present when he received the award.
"It's more the reward than the award," Schneller said. "The reward is seeing all the people that appreciate what I have done and what I stand for."
Schneller said the support he received from students, and colleagues has made the experience even more rewarding.
"I hope that it stands for all the other professional practice faculty at the J school," Schneller said.
Psychology professor surprised by award
Amanda Rose, assistant professor of psychology sciences, received the eighth Kemper.
Rose said she did not expect to be honored.
"I think that so many of us try to do our best job at teaching it is such a surprise to get such an honor," Rose said.
Awards should come as no surprise to Rose. She has also received the 2002 Provost's Junior Faculty Outstanding Teaching Award and the 2001 Robert S. Daniel Junior Faculty Outstanding Teaching Award.
Richard Meadows teaches, raises money for MU
On April 14, the ninth Kemper award went to Richard Meadows, clinical associate professor of veterinary medicine and surgery.
Meadows devotes much of his time to clinical teaching at the College of Veterinary Medicine.
He also seeks funding to enhance the college's teaching facilities and technologies. He has received more than $330,000 in grants that have been used for various projects, including the purchase of specialized equipment for veterinary dentistry instruction and the remodeling and expansion of Clydesdale Hall.
Meadows said winning the award caught him off guard.
"My students were unaccustomed to seeing me speechless," he said.
Sociology professor wins year's last Kemper
The 10th and final Kemper was awarded to Mary Grigsby, an associate professor of rural sociology at the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
Grigsby has also received the CAFNR Outstanding Teaching Award and the Provost's Outstanding Junior Faculty Teaching Award.
Grigsby said she was surprised that her family and friends were able to keep the award a secret. Like other professors who have received the award, Grigsby expressed excitement about the award.
"I was delighted," she said. "It was an honor to receive an award that recognizes teaching excellence."