Douglas James, UA Distinguished Professor Of Zoology, Receives University's Most Prestigious Teaching Award

Fayetteville, Ark. - Douglas James, a longtime professor of zoology renowned for his research and writing, has been chosen to receive this year’s Charles and Nadine Baum Faculty Teaching award.

The award is the highest honor given to a University of Arkansas faculty member, and is awarded at the end of each academic year.

"I am honored and humbled at receiving the Baum Award and feel the occasion recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of my students, including my guidance at an early and important stage in their careers," James said. "I find the crux of the matter is the enduring interaction between students and professor in the freedom of a university setting. This, in turn, is the process that enhances my own productivity in teaching and research and has a positive ramification on the fabric of the whole university."

James has been teaching zoology at the U of A since 1953. His area of expertise is ecology, ornithology, and vertebrate biology. Due to his acclaimed teaching and research abilities, James has been awarded three Fulbright Scholarship Awards over the years to teach and do research in Ghana, Nepal, and Belize. In addition, he was granted a Visiting Scholar Fellowship to the University of Cambridge to do research there in the mid 1990s.

James’ long career of research has been supported by grant money totaling over 1.5 million dollars from a variety of national and state agencies, as well as public institutions. The amount is significant considering his research began during a period when funding support was very low compared with present day levels.

"Douglas James is a consummate teacher and scholar in avian ecology - a prime example of an integrated scholar and a caring mentor of students - undergraduates and graduates alike," said Bob Smith, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. "Couple these wonderful traits with his emphasis on internationally based research and you have an unsurpassable combination. Our students and our university are great beneficiaries of Professor James’ talents and dedication," Smith said.

James has long been respected for his advising skills, with both undergraduate and especially graduate students. During his career, James has had about 10 graduate students under his direction each year, more than any other faculty member in his department. James has graduated a record number of doctoral students for the Department of Biological Sciences. Many of his graduates have become presidents of national organizations, distinguished university chairs, and top administrators at public and private institutions. He now serves on the Student Advising Committee for the department.

James has been able to appeal to his students’ need to do their own research through a series of class field trips. Since the early 1960s he has been taking his ornithology class to the coast of Texas each spring for a week of hands-on study. James also conducts a trip to the mountains and deserts of New Mexico for his field ecology class, as well as a canoe trip down the Buffalo River with his advanced ecology group. His graduate students who go on to teach often adopt similar activities in their courses.

During his 49-year career at the University of Arkansas, James has been honored by obtaining many prestigious positions and by receiving numerous awards. He has been elected to membership in several scientific societies, including being elected Fellow of both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Ornithologists’ Union. James has also achieved status of Fellow for Excellence in Scientific Research by the Museum of Science and History (Little Rock). Currently James is chair of the Arkansas Biota Committee of the Arkansas Academy of Science, and he has previously been elected president of two national professional societies. In May 2000, in honor of James, the Arkansas Audubon Society Trust created The Douglas A. James Avian Research Award that is presented each year to a research grant recipient.

In his letter of recommendation, Dr. Donald J. Roufa, chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, wrote, "Dr. James has brought a multitude of honors to the University of Arkansas throughout a long and distinguished career as professor, mentor, and scientific scholar."

James is the author of more than 80 scientific articles published in ecological and ornithological research journals. Some of his more recent publications have dealt with subjects such as endangered species, plant and animal ecology, and biology of birds and mammals and have been found in such journals as The Journal of Arkansas Academic Science, The Birds of North America, and the Wildlife Society Bulletin.

James is senior author of a renowned book published by the UA Press in 1986. Arkansas Birds: Their Distribution and Abundance is a 401-page account that has become widely acclaimed for its contribution to ornithology. James wrote the book based on, among other things, his field notes of birds in Arkansas since his arrival in 1953. Roufa says that the book is the standard reference on bird life in Arkansas. It includes many features not normally found in state bird books, such as mitigation maps on bird banding recoveries and a complete updated bibliography of writings about Arkansas birds.

According to Roufa, James has devoted his long career to service to his department, his college, and to the University. Over the years James has served on 34 committees at the University, including Faculty Senate, University Library Committee, and Campus Council. He has also served the community by being an available public speaker for such organizations as the Ozark Society, Sierra Club, Sigma Xi, various garden clubs, Audubon Society chapters throughout the state, elderhostels, and assisted living facilities.

"Dr. James’ record at the University is a model for all of us to admire and, hopefully, emulate," Roufa said.

"I have enjoyed 49 years of service to the University of Arkansas, my first and only academic position," James said.