A professor who delights in sharing his knowledge and mentoring the next generation of biologists is the 2024 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor at Emporia State University. Dr. William Jensen, professor of wildlife ecology, director of ESU Natural Areas and director of the Schmidt Museum of Natural History, learned of the award during his field ecology class on Tuesday, April 30.
Jensen began his career at Emporia State in August 2006 as an instructor of wildlife biology and ecology as well as director of ESU Natural Areas and director of the Schmidt Museum of Natural History. He moved up the academic ranks and earned the title of professor in January 2018.
His colleagues and former graduate students spoke of the ways he goes above and beyond the boundaries of his job.
At Emporia State University, Jensen serves as faculty advisor to student organizations, graduate program coordinator for the Department of Biological Sciences and on the ESU Distinguished Alumni selection committee. Outside ESU, Jensen has served as a board member of both the Kansas Ornithological Society and Kansas Chapter of the Wildlife Society as well as president of the Central Plains Society of Mammalogists.
“A glance at his cumulative service to. ESU and his scientific discipline and the State of Kansas is humbling for those of us who have served ESU longer and done much less,” wrote Dr. Rich Sleezer, interim assistant dean and professor of earth science in the ESU School of Science and Mathematics, in his nomination letter.
A former student, Ashley Long, now an associate professor of wildlife ecology at Louisiana State University, shared her experiences with Jensen. She loved birds and wanted to pursue a master’s degree but had no research experience and little information about choosing a program or advisor. She sent Jensen an email, which led to a campus visit then her admission to the ESU master’s program with Jensen as her major advisor.
After identifying a research project in Texas, Long said, “he then accompanied me to my field site and taught me how to find bird nests, collect vegetation data and camp in an extremely primitive and remote location.”
Jensen earned his bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife from University of Missouri in 1996, his master’s degree in biological science from Emporia State in 1999 and his Ph.D. in biology from Kansas State University in 2003 then served as a postdoctoral research associate at K-State from 2003 to 2005.
The Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor Award has been given since 1979 to the ESU professor who best demonstrates teaching excellence, professional activities, fostering of intellectual atmosphere, service to the university outside the classroom and status as a student mentor. The award includes $1,000 to be used for professional activities.
As the 2024 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor, Jensen will be honored at a university reception. He will be listed in the spring commencement program and be the speaker at the December 2024 commencement.