Department Head Honored For Full Professorship

Utah State University’s Inaugural Professor Lecture Series honored Chris Luecke, from the Department of Aquatic, Watershed, and Earth Resources, Friday, Nov. 5, at the University Residence.

 

"The lecture series is a joint initiative between the Office of the President and the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost," said Chris Fawson, vice-provost of academic and international affairs for Utah State. "The recognition of faculty who have reached this important milestone in their academic career provides an opportunity for reflection upon the contribution these individuals have made to students, colleagues, their discipline and Utah State."

 

Wayne Wurtsbaugh, the professor who introduced Luecke at his lecture, shared quotes that reflect the contribution Luecke has made to his students and to Utah State.

 

“Chris is one of the most balanced people I know, in that he seems to be able to do it all – conduct valuable scientific research of international importance, yet be able to teach basic wildlife principles to incoming freshman,” said an undergraduate student from the College of Natural Resources.

 

Luecke, who is also the department head of Aquatics, Watershed and Earth Resources, began teaching at Utah State in 1989. He received a master’s degree in biology from the University of Kansas and a doctorate degree in zoology from the University of Washington.

   

According to Wurtsbaugh, Luecke is internationally known for his basic work on food-web dynamics in lakes and widely recognized for applied fisheries research in the Intermountain West.

 

“In the classroom Chris presents information with a zest unlike any other teacher I’ve known, and he is perhaps the easiest professor to talk with that I have ever encountered,” said another undergraduate CNR student. 

 

One of the many graduate students who have worked with Luecke said, “He has always made it clear that you can be a good scientist and still have a good home life and a diversity of other interests that shape your life and who you are.”

 

Luecke was named Teacher of Year for Utah State’s College of Natural Resources in 1998 and Graduate Student Mentor of the Year in 2001.

 

The next Inaugural Professor lecture on Thursday, Dec.2, will feature Eddie Berry, from the Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology. For more information on the Inaugural Professor Lecture Series, contact Fawson at (435) 797-1840.