The Charles Edwin Bessey Teaching Award

DR. CHARLES EDWIN BESSEY is remembered as one of the great developers of botanical education in the United States of America. In 1884 Dr. Bessey accepted the professorship of botany and horticulture at the University of Nebraska. His work and dedication to improving the educational aspects of Botany are most noted in what Nebraskans call "the Bessey era" (1886-1915). During this period when Nebraska developed an extraordinary program in botany, ranking among the top five schools in the United States for the number of its undergraduates who became famous botanists. Dr. Bessey served as dean of the University of Nebraska Agricultural College and became head dean in 1909. He served as interim chancellor for the University 1888-91, 1899 and again in 1899.

Award Recipients

2008 - Dr. Beverly Brown is an Associate Professor of Biology, at Nazareth College of Rochester, New York, and Immediate Past Chair of the Teaching Section of the Botanical Society of America. Dr. Brown was instrumental in the development of the BSA’s Planting Science project, providing the model for the project’s first activity, called “Planting Seeds.” The “Planting Seeds” project was based on her NSF Course, Curriculum and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) award to Nazareth College entitled, “Interdisciplinary Teaching: using the study of sprouts to teach mathematics and science at a liberal arts college.” Dr. Brown continues to serve the educational mission of BSA as a member of the Advisory Committee to the Planting Science project. In addition, she has been a long-time, active member of the Teaching Section of the BSA and has made several presentations related to the integration of her teaching and research, which includes the study of competition for pollination between invasive and native species.

Dr. Michael Pollan - Michael is a Knight Professor at the University of California--Berkeley and Director of the Knight Program for Science and Environmental Journalism there. Author of such best-selling books about plants as "The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World," "The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals," and "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto," he has awakened a basic interest in plants as food like no other author in recent times. The New York Times Book Review sums up his approach like this: "Pollan has a wide-ranging intellect, an eager grasp of evolutionary biology, and a subversive streak that helps him to root out some wonderfully counterintuitive points. His prose both shimmers and snaps, and he has a knack for finding perfect quotes in the oddest places… Best of all, Pollan really loves plants." One of today's university science students commented: "When you read each of Pollan's books, you just can't stop until you reach the very last page, and then, you feel you must tell someone about all you've learned! Pollan proposes a new (yet very old) answer to the question of what we should eat: 'Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.'" With this award, the BSA wishes to recognize Dr. Pollan's carefully researched and far-reaching contributions to public awareness and understanding of plants via more than a dozen popular-press works.

2007 - Dr. Thomas Rost, University of California Davis - Tom is Assistant to the Director of International Programs, Professor Emeritus of Plant Biology, and Botanist Emeritus in the Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of California, Davis. He is recognized for his innovative and outstanding teaching in plant anatomy, including early and experimental adoption of technology in his classes. Tom has been active in the BSA Education Committee and in the Structural and Developmental Section. He has published over 140 scientific papers on root growth and development and other anatomical topics, and co-authored four books, including two general botany textbooks. Dr. Rost received the Davis Division Academic Senate Distinguished Teaching Award, which is the highest teaching award make by each UC campus.

Dr. James Wandersee, Louisiana State University - Jim is the LeBlanc Alumni Association professor in the College of Education at LSU, focusing on biological and botanical science education. He is currently the Chair of the Teaching Section of the BSA and has presented many papers and workshops in this section and in the BSA Educational Forum. He helped coin the phrase “plant blindness” which was part of a campaign to help teachers, students, and the general public overcome their inability to notice plants in their own environment, which leads to the inability to recognize the importance of plants in the biosphere and in human affairs. He is a prolific author, with over 100 publications and several books that have been translated into six languages. He was elected a fellow of AAAS, was an officer in the National Association of Biology Teachers, and is the director of the 15 Degree Laboratory, A Visual Cognition Research and Development Laboratory for Improving Biological and Botanical Learning.

2006 - Dr. W. Hardy Eshbaugh, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, Professor Emeritus, Department of Botany. The nomination letters indicate that Hardy has advanced and broadened botany education for several generations of Miami University students. He pioneered the development of field courses ranging from introductory level formal courses to public outreach for retirees. We thank him for his 33 years of formal teaching and his continuing efforts to bring additional understanding of the natural world to the public at large.

Dr. David W. Lee, Florida International University, Miami, Florida. Peer nominators wish to recognize life-long effort and creativity demonstrated by Dr. Lee teaching of botany and advocacy for botanical education. His unique career path began in 1970. It has included extensive research and teaching in the tropics, as well as academic positions in the United States. We thank him for sharing his love of botany and his desire to communicate about plants to students and the public in uniquely effective methods.

2005 - Dr. Donald Kaplan, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California. The nomination letters we received indicate that Donald has made a significant impact on the lives of many students whom he taught and supervised during his illustrious career. On behalf of his students and the Botanical Society of America, we are pleased to acknowledge Donald's passion and excellence in teaching botany. We thank him for his inspiration and dedication to our field, and we are proud to place his name on the list of Charles Edwin Bessey Award recipients.

2003 - Dr. Joseph Novak, University of West Florida, Pensacola. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to botanical instruction.

1999 - Dr. William Jensen, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. For taking the time to passionately teach botany to our next generation and for contributions far exceeding all expectations to the botanical sciences.

1998 - Dr. Joseph E. Armstrong, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois. Over the years, Joe has shared his passion for plants with thousands of students. In addition, BIOLAB, an electronic bulletin board, has become one of the most extensive collections of innovative laboratory activities that enhance student learning.

1997 - Dr. Marshall D. Sundberg, Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas. Dr. Sundberg is a botanist in the tradition of Charles Bessey, He balances botanical research with educational research and teaching.

1991 - Dr. Gordon Uno, University of Oklahoma.

1990 - Dr. Barbara W. Saigo and Dr. Roy H. Saigo, University of Northern Iowa. Both recipients have given tirelessly of themselves in furthering botanical instruction, including leadership roles in the BSA Teaching Section and Education Committee.

1989 - Dr. Samuel Noel Postlethwait, who, like Charles Bessey, is recognized both as a scholar and as a teacher. Professor Postlethwait has been an inspiration to his students and has done much in promoting the teaching of botany during his tenure in the Biology Department at Purdue University, particularly in developing the audio-tutorial method of instruction. His enthusiasm for teaching and spirit of scholarly activity infects his students, who, in the spirit of Charles Bessey, continue to inspire others in the field of botany.