Carnegie Foundation Names UMaine’s Fernandez 2008 Maine Professor of the Year
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571
ORONO — Ivan Fernandez, a University of Maine professor of soil science and cooperating professor of forest resources, has been selected as the 2008 Maine Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). The award was announced today in Washington, DC.
Established in 1981, the Professor of the Year award is the only national program that recognizes undergraduate professors for outstanding commitment to their students, educational institutions, profession and communities.
Fernandez earned both master’s and doctoral degrees from UMaine. He has been on the UMaine faculty since 1983. UMaine’s 2007 Distinguished Maine Professor, Fernandez is a prolific scholar whose record includes more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, eight chapters and one book. Federal agencies and private industry have provided more than $10 million in grant funding to support his research.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this recognition,” says Fernandez. “It is incredibly rewarding to work every day with our exceptional faculty, staff and students in the classroom, laboratory and field sites. A benefit of doing this work for many years is also to watch our students go on to play critical roles in society in Maine and elsewhere, and to share the joy of their accomplishments with them.”
His research efforts focus on changing chemical and physical climate and how they affect forest ecosystems. An enthusiastic and well-respected teacher, Fernandez has taught a number of undergraduate and graduate courses and a large introductory
soil science course, required for students in a several UMaine academic programs. He also strives to include students in his research, broadening their perspectives and deepening their knowledge of science and discovery.
“If I were to list the top five faculty members at the University of Maine, Ivan would be among them in any category — undergraduate and graduate teaching, research or public service,” wrote Prof. Stephen Norton in recommending Fernandez for this award. “He is the most balanced and highest-performing faculty member I have known at (UMaine) in 39 years.”
Another faculty colleague, M. Susan Erich, noted Fernandez’ professional and public service record of supporting the soil science profession at the state and national level.
“His efforts have helped to build and maintain relationships between the University of Maine and the U.S. Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, as well as state agencies, such as the Department of Environmental Protection, and various non-governmental organizations concerned with soil, water and natural resource issues,” Erich wrote. “His work with these agencies supports his efforts to help students establish careers in the natural resources area after graduation.”
Fernandez also served in a key organizing role at UMaine’s successful recent conference “Climate Change 21: Choices for the 21stCentury.” He was a conference presenter and served as master of ceremonies for one of the conference’s two days. Working with faculty and other partners, Fernandez is also playing a central role in organizing a Maine Climate Change Assessment involving numerous scientists with a report soon to be delivered to Gov. John Baldacci.
Additionally, Fernandez has served in a number of faculty and university community leadership roles including service on the UMaine Faculty Senate,a stint as faculty representative to the University of Maine System Board of Trustees and a decade as department chair, along with numerous university, college and departmental committees.
“Prof. Fernandez represents the best characteristics of the University of Maine,” says Todd Saucier, the president and executive director of the University of Maine Alumni Association who nominated Fernandez for this award. “He is dedicated to his students, the state and his alma mater. His work exemplifies the university’s ideals and its land-grant mission because it has a direct impact on Maine citizens and our precious way of life.”