WC Wisconsin News

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire geography professor Doug Faulkner has been awarded the 2022 Faculty Mentor Award, fulfilling a dream and vision he’s had for himself since his days as a child.  

“I fell in love with the book,” Faulkner told LeaderTelegram.com of the World Atlas he received as a gift while still in his youth. “It sort of became, in a sense, my security blanket. I became a real map nerd.”

Presented by the Geoscience Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research, each year the Geoscience Division recognizes an individual who serves as a role model for productive and transformative student-faculty mentoring relationships, along with maintaining an ongoing and innovative approach to the enterprise of undergraduate research.

A professor at UW Eau Claire over the last two decades, Faulkner is celebrated for having shared his knowledge and love of geography with countless through education, mentorship and research.

“I’ve been buoyed up by all of that. And without that culture, without these people throughout the university — students and faculty — being engaged in research, this would’ve never happened,” he added. “This is really a recognition of UW-Eau Claire and its commitment to undergraduate research as a way to provide high-impact learning experiences for students.”

Faulkner said he was nominated for the award back by the University’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs back in 2020, but had forgotten about the nomination, which stands for three years, after he was passed over in his first year of eligibility.

“It was very unexpected,” he said. “I’m still in a state of disbelief.”

One by one, his students rave about his work and attest to his worthiness for the award.

“Dr. Faulkner is a seemingly endless source of knowledge,” 2024 environmental geography grad Grace Bowe said. “Every day that I spent in the field and in class with Dr. Faulkner, I learned something new. As a mentor, he will go above and beyond to make sure you’re constantly learning and thriving at UWEC.”

Just like his students, Faulkner, who specializes in fluvial geomorphology, said he goes into field research looking for answers.

“What I really seek is for students doing research with me to come to see that they’re not just vessels to receive knowledge,” he added. “They can create knowledge, which is what research is all about.”

As a recipient of the 2022 Faculty Mentor Award, Faulkner will receive $500 and will present during the National Association of Geoscience Teachers luncheon at the Geological Society of America conference, which is currently underway in Denver, Colo.