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Professors
Awarded $10,000 Kemper Fellowships
Since they were established in 1991, the
$10,000 William T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence
have honored 120 of MU’s finest professors for their dedication
to providing quality in the classroom.
The Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence were created
in 1991 with a $500,000 gift from the William T. Kemper Foundation
to honor 10 outstanding MU teachers each year for five consecutive
years. In 1995 and 2000, the Kemper Foundation extended the
program for five additional years with gifts of $500,000. Commerce
Bank serves as the trustee for the Kemper Foundation.
Kemper, a 1926 MU graduate, was a well-known civic leader in
Kansas City until his death in 1989. His 52-year career in banking
included top positions at banks in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.
 CHARLES
BORDUIN
Professor of Psychological Sciences
For more than two decades, Charles Borduin has served as professor
of psychological sciences at MU. In classes ranging from large
lectures to small graduate seminars, students and faculty alike
are unwavering in their praise of his ability to create a love
of psychology in students who emulate his own passion.
Former students attest that Borduin’s enthusiasm for psychology
sparked a desire to follow in his footsteps. One former student
noted, “Dr. Borduin is an outstanding psychologist and
teacher who greatly influenced my professional development;
I seek to emulate his many fine qualities in my own career.”
In addition to high praise from students, faculty note that
Borduin is unfailing in his efforts to counsel doctoral students,
a time-consuming and intensive process.
Borduin received his bachelor’s degree from Calvin College
and his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University
of Memphis. In addition, Borduin currently serves as the director
of the Missouri Delinquency Project, which trains graduate students
to deliver mental health services to youths and families in
the community.
 THOMAS
CROWE
Associate Professor of Engineering
Since 1993, Thomas Crowe has made an impact on the lives of
his students at MU. Students and colleagues describe him as
a scholar with a passionate commitment to his field. Crowe’s
quest for learning does not stop when he leaves the classroom.
To effectively reach his students, Crowe maintains his knowledge
of current research in the field and focuses on student learning
and development. His efforts have had a positive impact, as
he consistently receives high evaluation marks from students
and has won at least one teaching award each year since he has
been at the College of Engineering.
Crowe earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees
at The Pennsylvania State University and his doctoral degree
at Arizona State University. In addition to his duties at MU,
Crowe also serves as an independent engineering consultant for
more than 30 companies around the nation.
 JAN
DAUVE
Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics
Since 1987, Jan Dauve has taught agricultural economics at Mizzou.
Each year, his students and colleagues praise the way he connects
with students and makes a notoriously difficult subject easy
to understand.
Dauve achieves his teaching objectives by employing a number
of techniques, such as creating crossword puzzles to teach basic
economic vocabulary and using examples of current world issues
to stress the relevance of the material and broaden student
perspectives. He teaches the two classes with the highest enrollment
in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Duave’s
students say they understand the material because his passion
for economics that is reflected in his teaching skills.
Dauve received his doctoral degree from Colorado State University
and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from MU.
He has created several courses in the College of Agriculture,
Food and Natural Resources and also serves as an advisor each
semester to more than 100 students. Prior to joining the MU
faculty, Dauve served as an assistant professor at Northwest
Missouri State University.
 DEBORAH
HUELSBERGEN
Assistant Professor of Art and Graphic Design
Deborah Huelsbergen joined the MU faculty
in 1997. In her six years at MU, Huelsbergen has focused on
developing trust in her classroom. Students are more likely
to take risks when trusting their classmates and instructor,
and Huelsbergen is a firm believer in the need for risks. “I
especially appreciated the encouragement of self expression,”
one student said. “Students were prompted to explore new
avenues of art and stretch their creativity to the max.”
Huelsbergen’s impact on students’
lives goes far beyond the classroom. One student wrote, “I
just wanted to let you know how much you have truly touched
me, being a teacher and really a friend. We all truly hold a
place for you in our hearts and want to thank you for what you
have given us.”
Huelsbergen’s artwork has won numerous
awards, as has her teaching. In 2001 alone, she was nominated
for a Students’ Choice Award, Greek Week Outstanding Teacher,
and Provost’s Junior Faculty Teaching Award.
Huelsbergen earned a bachelor of general
studies in theater and media arts at the University of Kansas,
followed by a bachelor of fine arts in visual communication
at the same institution. She received her master of fine arts
in graphic design at Iowa State University in 1997.
 STEVEN
KELLER
Associate Professor of Chemistry
As an associate professor of chemistry at MU since 1995, Steven
Keller has proven his dedication to his students both inside
and outside the classroom.
Keller teaches large lecture classes and small graduate courses.
His students and colleagues say his passion for chemistry is
apparent and infectious in all classroom settings. One student
noted: “The intense enthusiasm of Professor Keller coupled
with his superior knowledge of chemistry leads to lectures that
leave everyone in the room wanting more.”
Keller’s involvement with students extends beyond the
classroom. He serves as an advisor to the Wakonse Residence,
a living and learning community in Hatch Hall. In addition,
he is a faculty advisor for Zou Crew and Tiger’s Lair,
the student cheering sections at MU basketball and football
games.
Keller received his doctoral degree at the University of California-Berkeley
and his bachelor’s degree at Pacific Lutheran University.
He has received numerous teaching awards including the Most
Inspiring Professor Award, Excellence in Education Award and
honorary induction into the Mortar Board Society.
 LAWRENCE
OKAMURA
Associate Professor of History
Lawrence Okamura began teaching at MU in 1987. In his 16 years
at the university, Okamura has stressed the importance of history
in basic education. By using role playing, foreign language
exercises and musical pieces to help enhance certain themes,
Okamura breaks through the barrier many teachers face: what
students think they should know and what students actually want
to know. Okamura’s students absorb the knowledge he shares
and offer their own perspectives. His students label him as
brilliant, energetic and “masterful.”
In addition to his duties in the history department, Okamura
serves as an adjunct professor in classical studies. He also
serves on the national teaching committee for the World History
Association and on the Editorial Board of the World History
Teaching Journal, both of which are dedicated to enhancing the
teaching of international history to K-12 students.
Among his many awards and recognitions, Okamura won the Purple
Chalk Teaching Award from the College of Arts and Science in
1994. Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate approved President
Bush's nomination of Okamura to be one of the 24 members of
the National Council for the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Okamura earned his bachelors of history at Pomona College, followed
by his masters of history at the University of Chicago. He completed
his Ph.D. in Roman history at the University of Michigan at
Ann Arbor.
 PATRICIA
OKKER
Associate Professor of English
Patricia Okker has been teaching at MU since 1990. She is now
associate chair of the department of English. Students in Okker’s
classes have been known to change their major to American literature
once infected with her contagious enthusiasm and quest for knowledge.
One student said, “Dr. Okker is the most inspiring, encouraging,
and talented teacher I have ever worked with.”
Okker has earned numerous grants and awards for her professional
work, but perhaps the biggest reward is to watch former students
following in her footsteps. A colleague wrote, “Her students,
many of whom are aspiring teachers themselves, have resolved
to emulate not only her methods as a teacher, but her force
of character, her sense of mission, and her belief in the process
of education itself. Some portion of Pat Okker will be carried
with them when they take teaching jobs of their own.”
Okker earned her bachelor of arts at Allegheny College and her
master of arts at the University of Georgia. She received her
Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
 STEPHEN
PALLARDY
Professor of Forestry
For more than two decades, Stephen Pallardy has been a forestry
professor at MU. Students and colleagues alike say that no other
professor better exemplifies what it means to be truly dedicated
to learning and teaching.
Demonstrating his commitment to students, Pallardy has implemented
several tactics to ensure that his undergraduate and graduate
students are learning. He has created a Web site for his classes,
takes his students on field trips, and aids graduate students
in their research efforts. Colleagues hold Pallardy in the highest
esteem. They mention that he has co-authored several works that
are considered the best textbooks in the field. Forestry experts
regard Pallardy as a “world-class researcher.”
Pallardy received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees
from the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign and his doctorate
degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has published
three textbooks and has received numerous accolades for his
teaching, including the Outstanding Teacher Award and Graduate
Teaching Award.
 DON
RANLY
Professor of Journalism
Don Ranly has been a member of the MU faculty for 30 years and
head of the magazine sequence since 1976. During this time,
he has been dedicated to molding college students into ethical,
thoughtful, skilled professional journalists. His students rave
about his enthusiasm and engaging lectures, and note that the
best thing about his classes is the teacher himself. One student
observed, “Just having Dr. Ranly teaching gives the class
strength. He’s excellent.”
Besides student accolades, Ranly has received a number of professional
honors, including the Golden Chalk Award in 1998 and a 1995
Faculty Award. He also is the O.O. McIntyre Distinguished Professor
of Journalism, an honor he earned in 1995.
Ranly received his bachelor of philosophy at the University
of Dayton and his master’s degrees in speech and journalism
at Marquette University. He earned his doctorate of journalism
at MU.
Ranly’s love of his job and dedication to his students
are exemplary. Dean Mills, dean of the journalism school wrote,
“Ranly is the kind of teacher whom administrators would
like to be able to clone. The integrity, passion and intelligence
he brings to his job as a teacher does honor to our profession.”
 BARBARA
P. WALLACH
Associate Professor of Classical Studies
Barbara P. Wallach joined the MU faculty in 1980. She emphasizes
student involvement in the learning process by engaging her
students in lively classroom discussions and re-enactments of
historical events.
Her concern doesn’t stop with academics – she shows
a level of compassion and warmth that is often unmatched by
her peers. One student wrote, “I felt she was genuinely
concerned about my success in her class. My writing has improved,
and I wanted to excel for myself and professor Wallach.”
Wallach doesn’t only serve as a teacher, but as an “unofficial
mentor” to faculty members and students. A peer wrote,
“There’s nothing formal about this, no title proclaiming
her departmental mentor, nothing that requires her to spend
hour after hour in her office listening to sob stories. That’s
just the way she is: a selfless person who cares sincerely about
other people, not just what they’re learning, but how
they’re feeling.”
Wallach’s professional awards include the Purple Chalk
Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1987 and a 1990 Faculty/Alumni
Award. She received her bachelor of arts in Latin at Mary Washington
College of the University of Virginia, and both her master of
arts in classics and PhD in classical philology at the University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
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Last Update:
November 15, 2007
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