Manuel Campos, Michael Livingston and Daniel Steck Receive Outstanding Faculty Awards

Faculty and staff members from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University were honored at the Academic Affairs Awards Ceremony on Monday, May 5. In addition to recognizing individuals for years of service, promotions, contributions as department chairs and leaders, the following awards were presented.

CSB S. Mary Grell Teacher of Distinction Award - Manuel Campos, associate professor of biology

S. Mary Grell, a noted biologist, served students at CSB/SJU for more than 35 years with intelligence, skill, dedication and genuine affection for them. The difference S. Mary made in her lifetime of teaching at Saint Benedict is celebrated through the recognition each year of a faculty member who represents the best of teaching and learning at CSB/SJU.

Campos views teaching and learning as interdependent events with teaching also being an ongoing dedication to learning, a willingness to always remain a student. He believes that only through his own continuing search for knowledge is he able to keep up with the ever-changing face of science and convey to students his own excitement and interest in the field. His own research has led to his active participation in summer undergraduate research for students.

Campos’ collaboration and collegiality is evident in his support of the academic community. Many of his colleagues know of his quiet hard work and energy he invests in tasks or projects that go beyond his own scholarly and professional interests to benefit the larger community.

SJU Robert L. Spaeth Teacher of Distinction Award - Michael Livingston, associate professor of psychology

This award is named in honor of Spaeth, who died in 1994. He served as dean of the college at SJU for nine years in addition to offering lengthy terms of service as professor of liberal studies and director of freshman symposium. Each year, Spaeth’s commitment to excellent teaching is remembered by honoring a faculty who brings a special passion and mastery to the classroom and the learning community.

Livingston has been an active scholar, having more than 60 publications to his credit and more than 20 professional papers and presentations. He is active both within his professional field of psychology and with the American Association of University Professors, where he currently serves as vice president of the Minnesota Conference of the AAUP and as editor of the Minnesota Academe, the organization’s newsletter.

It is Livingston’s dedication and success in teaching that is most celebrated with the Spaeth Award. Many students have completed internships, externships, individual learning projects, senior research projects and honors theses under his supervision and direction. Livingston is sought out by students for both his classes and for experiential learning experiences.

Teacher/Scholar Award - Daniel Steck, professor of physics

The CSB/SJU Teacher-Scholar Award is given annually to a faculty member who exemplifies demonstrated excellence in scholarship as well as teaching, conducts student/faculty collaborative research or creative work and excels in the mentoring of students.

This summer marks Steck's twenty-second consecutive year collaborating on research with CSB/SJU students. Beyond the impressive number of years his commitment represents, Steck has served as an exceptional role model for aspiring scientists.

Steck's research -- notably his investigations in radon gas exposure and lung cancer -- is impressive and substantial. He served as associate editor of Health Physics from 1993-96 and has approximately fifty publications to his credit in journals and reviewed papers. He has received the Clean Air Research Award from the American Lung Association, as well as the Young Investigator Award Indoor Air. He has been awarded 14 external grants for radon-related research and is the recipient of 20 faculty research grants from CSB/SJU. He is a recognized expert in his field, and his work has brought honor and better health to the greater community.