Dr. Lydia Thebeau Receives Missouri Baptist University's Distinguished Professor Award

ST. LOUIS, MO (05/21/2012)(readMedia)-- Dr. Lydia Thebeau, associate professor of biology in the Natural Sciences Division, has been awarded the 2012 Missouri Baptist University Distinguished Professor Award.

The award is designed to recognize an exemplary professor who demonstrates outstanding teaching ability, dedication, and enthusiasm. The recipient is announced annually at MBU's commencement exercises and is awarded a $1,000 stipend.

"She definitely deserves it," said Kristin Terry, a senior biology and biochemistry major who has had seven classes with Thebeau. "She is honestly the reason I went to MBU back when I was looking at schools. I was so impressed with her. She has an amazing way of teaching, and I have learned so much from her already."

Thebeau has been part of the faculty at MBU since 2005, and she is currently the chair of the Academic Affairs Committee. She also participates on the Undergraduate Advising Committee, the Environmental Science Committee, three educational doctoral committees, and she is involved with the Pre-Health Professions Club and the Math and Science Club.

Thebeau holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Hannibal-Lagrange University and a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from St. Louis University.

"Lydia Thebeau brings to the classroom a wealth of expertise in the field of biology," said Dr. Arlen Dykstra, MBU provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. "Her appointment as chair of the University's Academic Affairs Committee indicates her commitment to academic excellence."

Effective teaching, innovation in course design and delivery, effective advising service to the institution's community, and commitment to high standards of excellence were the criteria used by the University to select a recipient from among faculty members. The honor was created in 2003 in continuation of the longstanding Parkway Distinguished Professor Award.

Missouri Baptist University is a Christ-centered university located in Saint Louis. MBU offers more than 40 undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees in education, business and religion and its new terminal degree, the Doctor of Education. In addition to its 66-acre West St. Louis County campus, MBU offers degree programs at 10 regional learning centers throughout St. Louis, in Southern Illinois and online. For more information, go to www.mobap.edu or call 1-877-434-1115.