Office of University Communications 

Biology professor receives state teaching award

SPRINGFIELD — Dr. Daniel Beckman, biology professor at Missouri State University, is the recipient of a 2008 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Gov. Matt Blunt and members of the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education recognized Beckman and other recipients during a luncheon ceremony April 9.

The awards, which are not monetary, are based on effective teaching, innovative course design and delivery, effective advising, service to the university community, commitment to high standards of excellence and success in nurturing student achievement.

“I am honored to receive this teaching award from Missouri State and the Governor,” Beckman said. “I think I can speak for many university professors that we appreciate this sort of recognition for the effort we put into our teaching. It feels good to be able to make a useful contribution to the education of this generation of college students.”

Beckman’s current research is concentrated in the areas of fish ecology, fish life histories, and age and growth determination.

He earned his doctorate in marine science from Louisiana State University in 1989.