Professor Merrill Tawse Retires

This year's retiring faculty were recognized for their years of service during a luncheon on Monday, May 10 with President Dr. Carlos Campo, Provost Dr. Amiel Jarstfer, CAS Dean Dr. Dawn Weber and other respective deans. The faculty members were presented with an engraved silver tray acknowledging their dedication to Ashland University.

Mr. Tawse arrived at Ashland University 11 years ago with AU's acquisition of the MedCentral College of Nursing where he had been teaching in the Science Department. It has been a most rewarding capstone career after having spent his first 34 years in outdoor education. He has found the students, staff and faculty members Ashland University to be truly an inspiration, which made the decision to retire a difficult one.

As a field biologist Mr. Tawse has worked with 21 different research students on a variety of independent field-based research projects, including four Honors capstone projects. The other field research projects have ranged from determination of prey selection by insectivorous bats, radio telemetry to determine locations of bat hibernacula, the determination of territorial and nesting areas through radio tracking of marsh birds of special concern in AU's Wetlands, polyploidy of Ambystomid salamanders, the comparison of lead levels in birds from hunting preserves to those of AU's wetlands and several bio Inventory surveys at different Ashland University preserves.

In his time at the University, Mr. Tawse has been involved in Faculty Senate, the setting up of the University's cadaver lab, was a member of the Taylor Teaching Award committees, made two trips with biology students to Costa Rica with Dr. Schmidt-Rinehart, assisted in securing additional wetlands for AU's Preserves, served on numerous faculty search committees and assisted with public programing at the nature preserves.

Mr. Tawse also is a recipient of the Taylor Teaching Award. He has been honored to have been a part of the Ashland University community. Being able to work, interacting with and be mentored by such a great group of colleagues in the Biology/Toxicology Department has made this a tremendous experience for which he is extremely grateful.