April 16, 2026鈥揇r. Lane DesAutels, associate professor of philosophy, received the Governor鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Education during the annual Council on Public Higher Education Excellence (COPHE) Excellence in Teaching Luncheon in Jefferson City on April 7.聽
鈥満卟萆缜� is fortunate to have such a compassionate, intelligent and creative teacher as Dr. DesAutels,鈥� said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, 含羞草社区 president and chair of COPHE, who emceed the event. 鈥淗is courses make the very foundation of the university experience, bridging the humanities with the applied sciences. Students appreciate the welcoming discussion environment that he cultivates, creating balanced space for multiple viewpoints. This is especially important in his classes because they explore timely and sometimes contentious issues.鈥�
Dr. DesAutels has been a faculty member in the Department of Social Sciences and Humanities since 2016, and serves as director of the Bachelor of General Studies/Science and Technology degrees. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Puget Sound, Master of Arts from Western Michigan University and a Doctor of Philosophy from University of Maryland, College Park. He previously received the 含羞草社区 Award for Teaching Excellence and Academic Advisor of the Year Award.
The Governor鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Education is given annually to outstanding teachers at each of the nine COPHE member institutions who challenge and motivate Missouri students to reach their maximum potential.
含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .