The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees recently presented the system’s highest academic honor, Educator of the Year Awards, to four faculty members including Anoka-Ramsey Community College Biology Faculty member, Dr. Paula Croonquist.

Croonquist, who holds a Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and Genetics, and the three other honorees were selected from among 26 Board of Trustees Outstanding Educators in the Board of Trustees Excellence in Teaching award program.

“We applaud these faculty members for their commitment and demonstrated excellence in serving students and their communities, especially during these hard economic times when Minnesotans are enrolling in our colleges and universities in greatly increasing number,” said Dan McElroy, who chairs the system board’s Academic and Student Affairs Committee.

Reviewers cited Croonquist’s scientific rigor and creativity. One biologist on the review committee said, “It’s really hard to do research work with first- and second-year students, and she does a great job of it. She puts together half-semester-long research projects of considerable complexity in a short time. She finds ways to engage students’ scientific imagination through classroom activities such as the dance of the chromosomes and arranges for her students to get research experience in university laboratories.”

“It is truly humbling and a great honor to receive this award and represent our college,” says Croonquist. ” I share this recognition with all my hardworking colleagues who, despite the long hours and challenges that non-traditional learners present every day, continue to mentor, inspire and believe that our students can achieve and excel academically if we expect only the best from them and support them along the way to reach their academic goals.”

The other honorees were: Lori Halverson-Wente, speech instructor at Rochester Community and Technical College; Pam Whitfield, English and equine science instructor at Rochester Community and Technical College; and Mark Hickman, transportation instructor at Dakota County Technical College.

The four honorees were nominated by the presidents of their institutions. A panel of judges that included faculty members, presidents, administrators and students then reviewed the nominees and recommended the four honorees to the trustees.

“I am proud that we highlight the excellence of our faculty with these awards. The honorees exemplify what we value most in this system - high-quality teaching, learning and service,” says system Chancellor James H. McCormick.

Each of the four honorees receives $5,000 and a medallion hand-crafted in the jewelry design and manufacture program at Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

A short video about the program featuring the four award winners is available for viewing at http://botaward.mnscu.edu .

Anoka-Ramsey Community College Biology faculty member, Dr. Paula Croonquist accepts her Educator of the Year award from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Chancellor James H. McCormick. Reviewers of the nominees cited for her creativity, commitment and bringing university-level research to the two-year college experience as rational for the recognition.