ORONO – The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has named University of Maine professor Kevin Boyle the 2004 Maine Professor of the Year.

There is one award winner from each state, along with four national award winners. Recipients are selected based on outstanding teaching, commitment to undergraduate students and influence on teaching.

Boyle is a Presque Isle native and a 1978 UMaine graduate. He earned a master’s degree from Oregon State and a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin.

The professor joined the UMaine faculty in 1986 and currently serves as chair of the department of environmental economics and policy.

Boyle also received the 2003 Distinguished Maine Professor Award, presented each year by the alumni association in recognition of faculty achievement.

Boyle is an expert on the development of statistical models to estimate the economic values people assign to natural resources and environmental quality.

A leading environmental economist and the author of more than 150 published research papers, he has frequently been tapped by federal and Maine agencies for policy advice.

Applications of his research can be found in studies of wildlife, water quality, forest ecosystem protection and land-use change.

“My work is based on trying to do things intended to improve environmental and economic conditions for the people of Maine,” Boyle said. “This award suggests that those efforts are meeting with some success. The message is that you can be a scared kid from The County coming here to go to school, and you can end up doing well.”