Betty Smocovitis Recognized as Distinguished Alumni Professor by University of Florida

Author: Mrs. Katie Marquis Publication Date: Monday May 04, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. ---Betty Smocovitis has been awarded the Distinguished Alumni Professor Award by the University of Florida Alumni Association. This award is given to a professor who has gained a reputation among students and alumni for being a superior and highly influential teacher and whose service to the university, state and nation has brought significant distinction to the university.

Smocovitis received her bachelor’s degree in biology with an area of concentration in the plant sciences from the University of Western Ontario. She completed her Ph.D. in the graduate field of ecology and evolutionary biology and in the program for the history and philosophy of science at Cornell University in 1988. She joined the history department at UF in 1988, and has been teaching a range of courses mostly in the history of biology since then. Additionally, in 2004, she joined the zoology department at UF where she has developed courses on biology and society.

Smocovitis has been the recipient of a range of teaching awards at UF that include the Outstanding University Teaching Award in 1997, the John Mahon Undergraduate Teaching Award, and she has been a three-time recipient of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Teaching Award. In 1996 she completed her book, Unifying Biology: The Evolutionary Synthesis and Evolutionary Biology. It was designated one of Choice's Outstanding Academic Books of 1997.

Smocovitis has been active in a number of professional societies including the Society for the Study of Evolution, the Botanical Society of America and the History of Science Society, which has its executive office headquartered at the University of Florida. She has delivered lectures all over the world and has taught at the Department of the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Athens, in Athens, Greece.

As the Distinguished Alumni Professor, Smocovitis will serve as an ambassador for the University of Florida Alumni Association by lecturing at events sponsored by the alumni organization around the country. She will also share her expertise and advice with fellow Alumni Association Board and committee members.

-- Tamekia Massaline