For immediate
release
February 29, 2012
Contact: Lesley Fry
at (419) 995-8671 or Pam Joseph at (419) 995-8284
Ohio State Lima professor receives distinguished teaching
award
Mark A. Kleffner, professor of Earth Sciences at
The Ohio State University at Lima, is one of nine Ohio State professors
receiving the 2012 Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching. Alumni Association
President Archie Griffin presented the award in a surprise visit to Dr.
Kleffner’s classroom on Wed., Feb. 29, 2012.
The Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching
honors faculty members for teaching excellence. Recipients are nominated by
students, alumni and faculty and are chosen by a committee of students,
previous recipients and alumni. Several hundred teaching faculty were nominated
this year.
"Whether
his audience is elementary school children, traditional-age college students,
or those over 60 in our Lifelong Learning Institute, Mark has a wonderfully
natural teaching ability to engage students," said Dr. John R. Snyder, dean and
director of Ohio State Lima. "He successfully demonstrates the resources of a
major university in such a way that we make a difference to the delight and
enlightenment of many."
Dr. Kleffner is a paleontologist and
paleoclimatologist whose specialty is Silurian conodonts. He has been awarded
several National Science Foundation grants for his research on the Silurian
period. During his 22 years on campus, Dr. Kleffner has taught Earth Science
classes to everyone from pre-school children, to college students, to the
Lifelong Learning Institute members. His youngest pupils like to call him the
"Dinosaur Man." One of his most far-reaching
contributions to the community is his Earth Materials course for K-4 science
teachers and special education teachers. The classes are designed to help
teachers make learning about science fun while fulfilling K-12 state standards.
One of his nominators wrote, "During his time at Ohio State Lima, Mark has touched one of the
state’s most important resources – our teachers. Whether they are
undergrads seeking their first licensures or returning teachers seeking
advanced education, he finds a way to send them back to the classroom with the
skills and materials necessary to bring science alive for the students of Ohio.
He has sought grants to help equip teachers with supplies they and their
classrooms would not have otherwise have received. Classroom experiences around
Ohio State Lima’s home area are enriched because of his efforts."
Dr.
Kleffner’s complete vita is available online at http://Lima.OSU.edu/academics/earthsciences/vita.htm.
Dr. Kleffner is Ohio State Lima’s tenth winner of
this award. Former winners from Ohio State Lima include Dr. Javad Abdalkhani,
associate professor of mathematics; Dr. William V. Ackerman, associate
professor of geography; Dr. David S. Adams, associate professor emeritus of
sociology; Dr. Joseph E. Brandesky, professor of theatre; Dr. Allison Gilmore,
associate professor of history; Dr. Joseph P. Green, professor of psychology;
Dr. J. Eric Juterbock, associate professor of evolution, ecology and organismal
biology; Ed Valentine, associate professor of art, and Dr. Mohamed Yousif,
professor of mathematics.
Kleffner will be inducted into the Academy of
Teaching, which provides leadership for the improvement of teaching at Ohio
State. In addition, he will receive a cash award, an increase in base salary
and a plaque.
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Editors’
Note: Kleffner’s photo is attached.