UMaine Professor Kevin Boyle Honored by the Carnegie Foundation
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571
ORONO — The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has named University of Maine Professor of Resource Economics and Policy Kevin Boyle the 2004 Maine Professor of the Year.
The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) established the Professors of the Year Program in 1981. CASE works in cooperation with The Carnegie Foundation and various higher education associations to administer the award, nominees for which can be teachers at public or private institutions of higher learning. Winners are selected based on outstanding teaching, commitment to undergraduate students and influence on teaching. There is one award winner from each state, along with four national award winners.
“It is rewarding to receive national recognition from such highly-regarded organizations, and to be included with so many accomplished professors from outstanding institutions around the country,” Boyle says. “This honor also reflects well on UMaine and I am pleased that it draws positive attention to the university and its efforts.”
Boyle is a Presque Isle native and a 1978 UMaine graduate. He received the 2003 Distinguished Maine Professor Award, presented each year by the alumni association in recognition of faculty achievement. He currently serves as chair of Resource Economics and Policy.
“We are delighted that the Carnegie Foundation has recognized Kevin’s outstanding professional contributions,” says Jeffery Mills, UMaine’s vice president for advancement and the president of the University of Maine Alumni Association. “It is particularly gratifying to see one of our own receive this distinguished honor. Kevin’s achievements are in the proud tradition of UMaine alumni who have achieved great things in their professional lives.” The alumni association nominated Boyle for this award.
A leading environmental economist, Boyle is an expert on the development of statistical models to estimate the economic values people assign to natural resources and environmental quality. The author of over 150 published research papers, Boyle has also devoted a great deal of time to sharing his expertise with government agencies and environmental groups. Applications of Boyle’s research can be found in studies of wildlife — fishing, hunting, non-consumptive uses of wildlife, and the protection of endangered species; water quality — surface water and ground water; forest ecosystem protection; and land-use change. As an expert in these natural resource areas, Boyle is frequently tapped by federal and Maine agencies for policy advice.
“I’ve always felt pretty lucky to be able to be here, to be working on the faculty and to be able to make a contribution to the state,” Boyle says. “My work is based on trying to do things intended to improve environmental and economic conditions for the people of Maine. This award suggests that those efforts are meeting with some success. The message is that you can be a scared kid from the County coming here to go to school, and you can end up doing well.”
Boyle earned a master’s degree from Oregon State and a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin. He joined the UMaine faculty in 1986.
“The key thing about my philosophy is that UMaine should be student-oriented, whether in teaching, research or outreach,” Boyle says. “I see all three as being woven together. I try to bring research and practical work to the classroom and get my students involved in research and outreach activities. That effort is central to my approach.”
“Kevin exemplifies what it means to be a scholar at a modern land-grant university,” says UMaine Interim President Robert Kennedy. “His teaching inspires students to excel, while his research and public engagement activities have a real impact on our understanding of the use of our natural resources, an issue that is critical to the future of our state.”