Biology Professor Honored with Perkins Award

Author: Nicolas Emery

Andrea Lloyd, assistant professor of biology, is the recipient of the 2003 Perkins Award for Excellence in Teaching. The prestigious award honors outstanding performance in teaching science and mathematics at Middlebury College.
On Tuesday, April 22 at 4:30 p.m. Lloyd will receive the award in a ceremony in Room 219 of Bicentennial Hall.
The award is given annually to a member of the College's natural sciences division, which includes mathematics, computer science, biology, chemistry, geology and physics.
The award alternates between a faculty member in the Mathematics and Computer Science Departments and one of the other four in the division.
According to Lloyd, her current research focuses on "the effects of climate change on Alaskan forest [as well as] some collaborative work to develop models of future ecological change in Alaska and to characterize the effects of vegetation changes on the Alaskan climate."
Lloyd holds a bachelor's degree in geography from Dartmouth College and a master's degree in biology and wildlife from the University of Alaska. She earned her doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Arizona.
Lloyd has been teaching at Middlebury College since 1996 - some of her courses include "Introductory Ecology" and "Plant Ecology."
Lloyd said that "the challenge of convincing people that science is both a worthwhile and fun endeavor" is part of what draws her to teaching, in addition to the fact that "interacting with students both in and out of the classroom keeps me more on my toes intellectually than I might otherwise be."
The Perkins Award for Excellence in Teaching is provided by the Professor Llewellyn R. Perkins and Dr. Ruth M.H. Perkins Memorial Faculty Research Fund. The Fund was made possible as a gift by Dr. Ruth M.H. Perkins in honor of her husband, Professor Perkins.
Perkins taught at the College from 1914 until 1941, during which time he founded and chaired the mathematics department.
Assistant Professor of Computer Science Daniel Scharstein was the 2002 recipient.
"[The Perkins Award] is an amazing honor," Lloyd said, "especially given that the nominations originate from the students."