Coveted UCD Prize Goes to Professor Gary Anderson

The students in Animal Science Professor Gary Anderson's class jumped to their feet with roaring applause. Anderson was wrapping up one last lecture for his Winter Quarter course on the Physiology of Reproduction when Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef appeared at the classroom door wheeling in a giant cake. "I hope you don't mind if I interrupt you for a minute or two," Vanderhoef said, as students gasped with amazement. The Chancellor had come to announce that Professor Anderson was the winner of the 1997 UC Davis Prize for Undergraduate Teaching and Scholarly Achievement which includes a $30,000 award. Chancellor Vanderhoef brought along an entourage that included Chancellor Emeritus James Meyer, Dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Barbara Schneeman, Vice-Chancellor for University Relations Rich Matheny and UC Davis Foundation Chair Julita Fong. The UC Davis Foundation offers the prize annually from the earnings of an endowment established to honor the best teachers and scholars on campus.

The UCD Prize was not the first award Professor Anderson has received for his teaching. In 1984 he received the "Magnar Ronning Award for Excellence in Teaching" an award given by students. He was recognized with a "Teaching Award of Merit" from the National Association of College Teachers in Agriculture in 1991. During the 1991-92 academic year, he was awarded the "Academic Senate Distinguished Teaching Award" and in 1995 he was presented with an "Award of Excellence in Teaching" by the National Association of State University and Land Grant Colleges.

A gala dinner was held in Freeborn Hall on May 22nd in Professor Anderson's honor. The black-tie event was attend by faculty, students, administrators, alumni and friends. Former students Dr. Joan Rowe and Ria de Grassi current Chair of the Department of Animal Science Development Board, addressed gala attendees with stories of his dedication to his students and teaching.

Professor Anderson specializes in embryo physiology, specifically the reproduction of livestock species. He received a doctorate from Cornell University in 1973 after which he joined the faculty of the Department of Animal Science.

Animal Science Undergraduate Peer Advisors Cheryl Williams (left) and Clover Bench (right) accompany Animal Science Professor Emeritus Robert "Bob" Laben and his wife Dorothy at the gala honoring Professor Anderson.