EIU Faculty Senate

EIU Luis Clay Mendez Distinguished Service Award

One of the most prestigious honors available to EIU faculty, the Mendez Award was established in commemoration of the contributions of Foreign Languages department faculty member Luis Clay Mendez following his sudden passing in 2003. The award is presented each fall to the EIU faculty member or department chair who best exemplifies dedication and achievement in service to the university, their profession, and the community at large (local, state, national, international).

2024 Luis Clay Mendez Distinguished Service Award 

Dr. Steven W. Daniels began teaching in the Physics Department in 1991. He earned his Ph. D. in Physics from the University of Maryland. His research has included Optics, Lasers, and Plasma Physics. He has been PI on NSF, DARPA, and DOE grants, as well as several internal grants.  Dr. Daniels was the driving force for events surrounding two Solar Eclipses at EIU.  He has been the President of the Charleston Rotary Club, the President and also Treasurer for the Excellence in Education Foundation which supports the local school district, the President and also Secretary of the EIU Council of Chairs, and Chair of the Physics Department for many years.  Dr. Daniels has shepherded the Electrical Engineering major from its inception to the point where two classes have graduated and it is a fully functioning and vital part of the curricular offerings of EIU.  He is a longtime member of the Illinois Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers executive board.  He also serves on subcommittees of the American National Standards Institute which develops laser safety standards for the country.  Dr. Daniels is an avid runner and has bowled on the Faculty-Staff Bowling League for over 30 years.  

Past Recipients of the Luis Clay Mendez Distinguished Service Award

2023 - Dr. Angela Yoder (Counseling and Higher Education)

2022 - Dr. Diane Burns (Geology/Geography)

2021 - Dr. Paul Switzer (Biological Sciences)

2020 - Dr. Sheila Simons (Public Health)

2019 - Dr. Danelle Larson (Music)

2018 - Dr. Melissa Ames (English)

2017 - Dr. Heidi Larson (Counseling and Student Development)

2016 - Dr. Grant Sterling (Philosophy)

2015 - Dr. Linda Ghent (Economics)

2014 - Dr. Rebecca Throneburg (Communication Disorders and Sciences)

2013 - Dr. Andrew Methven (Biological Sciences)

2012 - Dr. William Addison (Psychology)

2011 - Dr. Kathlene Shank (Special Education)

2010 - Dr. Charles G. Eberly (Counseling and Student Development)

2009 - Dr. Les Hyder (Journalism)

2008 - Dr. Vincent Gutowski (Geology/Geography)

2007 - Dr. Charles Delman (Mathematics and Computer Science)

2006 - Dr. Debra Reid (History)

2005 - Dr. Patricia McCallister (Family and Consumer Sciences)

2004 - Dr. David Carpenter (English)