Dr. W. Daniel Svedarsky, professor of natural resources at the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC), was named to the newly created University of Minnesota Academy of Distinguished Teachers. Svedarsky was recognized at UMC’s Commencement Ceremonies on May 21.

The Academy was established to ensure the continuation of world class instruction, honor exceptional teachers, and publicly recognize the importance of teaching.

Members of the academy will serve the University and their colleagues as mentors for new faculty; consultants on teaching improvement; spokespersons for teaching at the University; and advisers to the chancellors, provost, and president. Academy members use the title Distinguished Teaching Professor during their careers at the University.

Svedarsky joined the UMC faculty in 1969 and was promoted in 1991 to professor of Natural Resources in the Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources. Svedarsky has a half-time appointment with the Northwest Experiment Station where he is a wildlife research biologist. Since 1972 he has been the director of the Red River Valley Natural History Area.

Svedarsky has a doctorate in wildlife biology from the University of North Dakota; a master's degree in botany and a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

He is the North Central Representative to The Wildlife Society; past president of The North American Wildlife Technology Association; charter member of the Society for Ecological Restoration; Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union; Minnesota Prairie Chicken Society; North Dakota Natural Science Society; Prairie Grouse Technical Council; Nature Conservancy; and Ducks Unlimited.

Svedarsky was the principal architect of the four-year academic curriculum for Crookston's major in environmental and natural resources management, designed according to market demand from prospective employers. Graduates of UMC’s Natural Resources Program have careers in conservation, wildlife and fisheries, forestry, and recreation as well as management careers in soil and water conservation, parks and natural resource utilization and protection at the local, state and federal government levels.

In the classroom and in the field, Svedarsky’s high-energy, interactive teaching style, balanced by his modesty and warmth, sets him apart as an outstanding educator. He is routinely found perfecting class material and designing exercises long after his students and colleagues have called it a day.

His work has appeared in numerous publications, papers and books; he has presented many papers at professional meetings; and he has researched many projects.