Demuth lauded for career of distinguished BGSU service

BOWLING GREEN, O.—In their nominating letter, colleagues of Dr. Steve Demuth, director of graduate studies in the Department of Sociology, praised his commitment to graduate education at both the department and University level. His dedication was recognized on April 16 at the annual Faculty Excellence Awards when he received the Faculty Senate Distinguished Service Award. Demuth received $1,000 and a reserved parking space for the year.

Demuth joined BGSU’s sociology department in 2000 as an assistant professor of sociology and stepped in to oversee graduate studies in 2010.

Drs. I-Fen Lin and Ray Swisher, both associate professors of sociology, call Demuth the “go to” person for every faculty member and student in the department. “Not a day goes by that we do not see him thinking about ways to improve the quality and efficiency of the program,” they wrote in their nominating letter.

Dr. Alfred DeMaris, professor of sociology, called Demuth a “real idea person.

“He is always coming up with new, improved ways of doing things, whether it’s recruiting quality students, holding our graduate recruitment weekend, shepherding students through the program, or keeping track of student progress,” DeMaris said.

Demuth is also recognized University-wide for his commitment to graduate studies. He participated in a three-day, intensive committee meeting to improve the contracting process for graduate coordinators. He served on the Graduate Education Strategic Planning committee and subsequent implementation committee. He is also part of BGSU President Mary Ellen Mazey’s Efficiency Task Force and is active in the BGSU Faculty Association.

“While these appointed committee memberships have been vital to the success of the Graduate College, he also contributes significantly on an informal regular basis when the Graduate College seeks extra advice. I can think of no one who deserves a faculty service award more than Steve Demuth,” said Dr. Margaret Booth, associate dean of the Graduate College.

Despite the long hours spent on University committees, his nominators praised his strong commitment to mentoring students at both the undergraduate and graduate level, and junior faculty.

“Our students, faculty and campus have greatly benefitted from his unselfish, tireless and exceptional service,” said Fen and Swisher.