Faculty Highlights
from around COSAM
COSAM faculty recognized at Faculty Awards
celebrating Excellence Ceremony
Auburn University held the sixth annual Faculty Awards
Celebrating Excellence ceremony at The Hotel at Auburn University
and Dixon Conference Center. Among those receiving awards
were COSAM’s Jack W. Feminella, professor and chair of the
Department of Biological Sciences, and Narendra Govil, professor and
undergraduate program officer for the Department of Mathematics
and Statistics.
Feminella was part of an
interdisciplinary group that received the
President’s Outstanding Collaborative
Units Award for work at the Center
for Forest Sustainability. The award is
presented to Auburn University units
whose collaborative efforts result in
unique exemplary service or academic
excellence within the university and the
community. The center has been the
focal point for more than 65 graduate
students and 35 faculty from eight
Auburn colleges or schools who have developed interdisciplinary
research projects focused on the impacts of urbanization on natural
ecosystems. These projects have included socioeconomic, ecological,
hydrological, and environmental health components.
Govil received the Alumni Professor
award, which recognizes faculty
members for research, publishing, and
teaching by awarding five-year, nonrenewable professorships through the
Auburn Alumni Association.
“This award recognizes my
achievements not only at Auburn,
but also of my whole life, including
my work at the Indian Institute of
Technology in New Delhi where I
worked for more than 10 years,” said
Govil. “And there are many other faculty members in my department
and in the university who deserve this award. Receiving it makes me
all the more committed to work harder, with full vigor and devotion, to
justify this recognition.”
8
Journey/2012
Steltenpohl named chair of
Geology & Geography
Mark Steltenpohl has been named
chair of the Department of Geology
and Geography. Steltenpohl received
his doctorate in geological sciences
from the University of North Carolina.
He then worked for Stonewall Gas
and Oil Company, Texasgulf Minerals
and Metals, and the Geological
Survey of Alabama before beginning
his career at Auburn University in 1989. In 1999, Steltenpohl was
named full professor and in, 2010, he assumed the role of interim
chair for the Department of Geology and Geography. Steltenpohl has
received numerous awards and honors for his work including: Most
Outstanding Faculty Member, College of Sciences and Mathematics,
1993; Most Outstanding Faculty Member, Geology Club & SGE,
1994; COSAM Outstanding Teacher of the Year, 2006-07; Auburn
University Graduate Mentoring Award, 2008-09; and Auburn
University Alumni Professor, 2009-14. Steltenpohl assumed leadership
for the Department of Geology and Geography on Oct. 1.
“I am humbled and honored that Geology and Geography faculty
have such confidence in me to select me as their chair,” Steltenpohl
said. “I look forward to serving them, COSAM, and Auburn over the
next four years.”