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

“It is rewarding to receive national recognition from such highly-regarded organizations, and to be included with so many accomplished professors from outstanding institutions around the country,” Boyle said. “This honor also reflects well on UMaine and I am pleased that it draws positive attention to the university and its efforts.”

Boyle is a Presque Isle native and a 1978 UMaine graduate. He received the 2003 Distinguished Maine Professor Award, presented each year by the alumni association in recognition of faculty achievement. He serves as chairman of the department of environmental economics and policy.

“We are delighted that the Carnegie Foundation has recognized Kevin’s outstanding professional contributions,” said Jeffery Mills, UMaine’s vice president for advancement and the president of the University of Maine Alumni Association. “It is particularly gratifying to see one of our own receive this distinguished honor. Kevin’s achievements are in the proud tradition of UMaine alumni who have achieved great things in their professional lives.”

The alumni association nominated Boyle for the award.

A leading environmental economist, Boyle is an expert on the development of statistical models to estimate the economic values people assign to natural resources and environmental quality. The author of more than 150 published research papers, Boyle has devoted a great deal of time to sharing his expertise with government agencies and environmental groups. Applications of Boyle’s research may be found in studies of wildlife, including fishing, hunting, non-consumptive uses of wildlife, and the protection of endangered species; water quality, including surface water and ground water; forest ecosystem protection; and land-use change. As an expert in these natural resource areas, Boyle is frequently tapped by federal and Maine agencies for policy advice.

“I’ve always felt pretty lucky to be able to be here, to be working on the faculty and to be able to make a contribution to the state,” Boyle said. “My work is based on trying to do things intended to improve environmental and economic conditions for the people of Maine. 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.”

Boyle earned a master’s degree from Oregon State and a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin. He joined the UMaine faculty in 1986.