Future Students | Current Students | Alumni | Community & Friends

Mike Smith wins teaching award

Mike Smith, professor of reproductive physiology in the Division of Animal Sciences, was awarded the Maxine Christopher Shutz Award and Lecture for Distinguished Teaching. The award is presented through the MU Provost's Office.

The award was established in 1982 to recognize distinguished teachers on the Columbia campus. It is presented to a faculty member who has demonstrated extra efforts to involve undergraduates in active learning experiences and to personalize the undergraduate experience of students.

Joel Hartman, rural sociology, was presented the award in 1990.

Smith grew up in Michigan and graduated summa cum laude from Colorado State University with an undergraduate degree in animal science. He received his master's and Ph.D. degrees in reproductive physiology from Texas A&M University under the direction of James N. Wiltbank. He and his wife, Stephanie, own and operate the Windrush Farm near Columbia and have two grown children.

He came to MU in that year and has served as an assistant professor and associate professor. He was named professor in 1990. He also served as interim director of the Division of Animal Sciences from 2001 to 2006.

Among his awards are the Midwest Section American Society of Animal Science Young Animal Scientist Research Award, College of Agriculture Green Chalk Award, College of Agriculture Undergraduate Teaching Award, National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Teaching Award of Merit, William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence, Gamma Sigma Delta Senior Research Award, the CAFNR Outstanding Researcher Award and the Frederick B. Mumford Outstanding Faculty Award.

In 1987-1988, Smith served as a visiting scientist in the department of molecular embryology, AFRC Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics Research, Babraham, Cambridge, United Kingdom. In 1996-1997, he was a visiting scientist at the department of development and reproduction, Roslin Institute (Edinburgh), Roslin, Midlothian, United Kingdom.

Faculty colleagues, departments, schools/colleges or recognized campus organizations may nominate individuals for the Shutz Award.

Posted Nov. 10, 2008.
Story by Randy Mertens.