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Linda C. Schaffner Receives Outstanding Faculty Award

ERF's President-Elect Linda Schaffner was awarded Virginia's highest honor for faculty at Commonwealth's colleges and universities. Dr. Schaffner was among ten Outstanding Faculty Awards Recipients announced on January 16 by Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner.

"I am pleased to recognize these distinguished faculty members and higher education leaders," Governor Warner said. "Their accomplishments in advancing educational excellence contribute greatly to Virginia's educational, economic, civic, and cultural vitality. Each of this year's award recipients brings pride to the profession and honor to the Commonwealth."

Dr. Schaffner, an associate professor of Marine Science within the College of William and Mary's School of Marine Science, joined the faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences in 1988. She had previously served as a research marine scientist within the associated Virginia Institute of Marine Science since 1981.

In 2000 Dr. Schaffner has received the School of Marine Science's Outstanding Teaching Award and William and Mary's Thomas Jefferson Teaching Award, the university's most prestigious teaching award for continued outstanding contributions in education.

Through her participation in the development of the Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity for Chesapeake Bay, Dr. Schaffner used her leading edge research to enhance sustainable management of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Her peers acknowledged her leadership and expertise in the field of estuarine ecology when she was appointed as associate editor for the journal Estuaries and when she was elected president of the Estuarine Research Federation for the 2003-2005 term.

Heather MacDonald, a Professor of Geology and the chairperson of the Geology Department at the main campus, also received a 2003 Outstanding Faculty Award. Virginia Institute of Marine Science Dean and Director, L. D. Wright noted "This is an honor not only for Linda and Heather but also for VIMS and the College of William and Mary."