MSU-Moorhead prof receives national recognition

Posted at 8:26 AM on November 22, 2010 by Dan Gunderson
Filed under: Education, Northwest Minnesota

Minnesota State University Moorhead is celebrating today. Geoscience Professor
Russ Colson won the 2010 U.S. Master's Universities and Colleges Professor of the year.

MSUM officials say Colson is the first Minnesota professor to win this award since it was created by the Carnegie Foundation in 1981. In addition to recognition, the winner receives $5,000.

Here's what the Foundation lists as criteria for the award- "Extraordinary dedication to undergraduate teaching, determined by excellence in the following four areas: impact on and involvement with undergraduate students; scholarly approach to teaching and learning; contributions to undergraduate education in the institution, community and profession; and support from colleagues and current and former undergraduate students."

Carnegie says MSUM Professor Russ Colson Colson "strives to be both coach and player and to create a forum in which he and his students become colleagues in discovery."

The Carnegie Foundation also recognizes state professors of the year. Timothy Benson of Lake Superior College in Duluth gets the 2010 Minnesota state award.

Photo courtesy MSUM