UMaine Faculty Members Receive Awards for Teaching, Research, Public Service
Contact: Nick Houtman, Dept. of Public Affairs, 207-581-3777
ORONO, Maine — Six faculty members in the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture were recognized on April 13 for their outstanding contributions to the college and the University of Maine.
Award winners were Aram Calhoun of Milford, assistant professor of wetland ecology; Ivan Fernandez of Orono, professor of soil science and cooperating professor of forest resources; Michael Vayda of Old Town, professor of molecular biology and assistant director of the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station; Eric Gallandt of Orono, assistant professor of weed ecology and management; Steven Sader of Orono, professor of forest resources; and Louis Morin of Orrington, instructor in forest resources.
Calhoun was cited for her contributions to teaching programs involving wetlands, ecology, and environmental science as well as her work on identifying and protecting vernal pools.
Fernandez received the college research award. He was recognized as a prolific researcher, a leading expert on the effects of acid rain on the environment.
Vayda was recipient of the College Outstanding Public Service Award. He has made enormous contributions to UMaine in teaching, research and public service and led the university’s response to the potato moptop virus problem, which threatened the Maine potato industry in 2002.
Gallandt received the Sustainable Agriculture Faculty Award. His research program in weed ecology at UMaine’s Rogers Farm has focused on sustainable farming practices and has introduced many undergraduates to agricultural research.
Sader was honored with the G. Peirce and Florence Pitts Webber Outstanding Research in Forest Resources Award. He is director of a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) designated Center of Excellence at the University of Maine and the Maine Image Analysis Laboratory. He has led the effort to develop satellite remote sensing and geographic information systems in forest resource management for the university.
Morin received the G. Peirce and Florence Pitts Webber Outstanding Forestry Teacher Award. He was cited for his commitment to high standards in the classroom, tireless involvement with student activities, and active promotion of academic programs.