School of Planning, Design and Construction

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources selected the Landscape Architecture Program’s Paul Nieratko for the 2012 - 2013 Howard and Lili Ann Camden Endowed Teacher/Scholar Award. The annual award is intended to acknowledge quality teaching within CANR, the university’s largest college.

Candidates must demonstrate a teaching record that has helped students gain skills conducive to problem-solving; innovative teaching methods with successful application; mentoring both within and outside the classroom; respect amongst faculty peers; and teaching excellence, scholarly achievement, and professional linkages. The award, first announced in 2005, has seven award winners, including Nieratko.

Dr. Kelley Millenbah, Associate Dean and Director Office of Academic and Student Affairs, notes that “(Paul) is a well-respected and active community participant and that the industry knows his students will be high-performers.”

Nieratko began his career at MSU in 1986 as an Instructor and was promoted to Specialist in 1988 with a split teaching/ advising appointment. He went on to be appointed as a Senior Academic Specialist in 2003. Nieratko played a significant role in several curricular revisions for the college and has taught over 30 unique courses in his 27 years with MSU.

A brief interview with Nieratko found him both honored and humbled by the nomination and award selection.

“Next to my own family and the successes of my students in the professional world of Landscape Architecture, this is the most significant achievement in my career,” he said.

The award brings recognition to Paul, the Landscape Architecture Program, and the School of Planning, Design and Construction in a world of growing complexity that requires balancing teaching, publishing and conducting research with one’s own personal life.