Texas A&M University Kingsville Regents Professor Dr. Steven Lukefahr was recently named a Piper Award recipient.
Lukefahr was one of 10 professors honored in Texas.
“I am greatly humbled by this award. I was surprised but delighted. I was fortunate to be sitting down when I opened and read the letter which conveyed the good news,” he said.
The annual Minnie Stevens Piper Award recognizes outstanding college professors at two- and four-year colleges. Recipients receive $5,000.
Lukefahr was encouraged by Dr. Randall Williams, a Piper Award recipient and Regent Professor, to apply for the award.
“My appreciation also goes to other colleagues (Drs. Shad Nelson and Michelle Garcia) and to former students (Dr. Sergio Arispe and Mr. Richard Kaiser) who submitted wonderful letters of support,” Lukefahr said.
Awarded participants must be invited and nominated to apply.
Lukefahr often shares his own experiences to topics relevant in his class with his students.
“These experiences range from my research projects to international travels involving livestock development programs and even to my own ranch and farm experiences of raising livestock and having a garden.”
“Students often tell me after the semester is completed that they valued the connection between topics learned and real-world experiences,” he said.
Richard Kaiser, one of Lukefahr’s former students, says he significanly contributed to his college success.
“Early on Dr. Lukefahr taught everyone in his class that college is what you make it. Which is why he has always taken a active interest in the education of his students both inside and outside the classroom. He was always providing multiple extra studying material or explaining concepts over and over again in different ways for those students who asked for it. Whenever those students would do great on a exam, or achieve one of their goals he was always the first one to congratulate you and encourage you to ‘keep up the good work’,” Kaiser said.
Kaiser graduated from TAMUK in Spring of 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University.
“Dr. Lukefahr was one of my favorite professors that I had during my time as an Undergrad at TAMUK. He constantly pushed me towards my goal of becoming a veterinarian and helped me so much along the way by writing Letter of Recommendations for scholarships or study abroad programs. I can honestly say that the success that I have had today couldn’t have been made possible without professors like him,”
While teaching, Lukefahr is able to make connections with students, he notes this is the most rewarding moments of teaching.
“It is also highly rewarding when I see a student have an ‘aha’ moment in class as they realize the meaning of a critical but abstract concept.”
“They usually shine back and nod in understanding, while I reciprocate the positive gesture. It is especially rewarding to follow-up on my former students and see many of them achieve great success in their continued education and careers,” Lukefahr said.
“Again, I am greatly humbled,” he concluded.
