ORONO – The four highest awards to University of Maine faculty were presented at the Academic Honors Convocation recently.

This year’s Distinguished Maine Professor is Robert Strong, professor of finance and University of Maine Foundation professor of investment education. The annual award given by the Alumni Association recognizes outstanding achievements in teaching, research and public service.

The Presidential Public Service Achievement Award was presented to David Lambert, from the UMaine Department of Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences.

The recipient of the Presidential Research and Creative Achievement Award was James Acheson, professor of anthropology and marine sciences.

Receiving the Presidential Teaching Award was Patricia Burnes from the UMaine English faculty.

Robert Strong has been a UMaine faculty member since 1983. He was recognized for outstanding commitment to each part of UMaine’s mission – teaching, research and public service. Colleagues note his positive interaction with UMaine students throughout his 22 years on the faculty, as well as his commitment to extending teaching beyond the classroom.

In 1993, Strong started the Student Portfolio Investment Fund through which students manage a university of Maine Foundation investment fund. The fund began with a $200,000 allotment and is now valued at more than $1.1 million. He is a recognized scholar in his field and has written three widely used textbooks. He is active in civic organizations and statewide commissions that benefit from his expertise.

David Lambert, a plant pathologist, has been on the UMaine faculty since 1986. His extensive efforts to inform and educate the potato industry about potentially damaging diseases, including potato late blight and potato mop-top disease, have had significant implications for potato growers in Maine and beyond.

A UMaine professor since 1968, James Acheson has focused his work in three areas – Meso-American ethnography, economic anthropology and maritime anthropology. His scholarly achievements include four books, including “The Lobster Gangs of Maine.” The Baxter Society listed that book as one of the “One Hundred Distinguished Books” about Maine.

Patricia Burnes has been on the UMaine faculty for 33 years. An English composition specialist, she oversees college composition, the writing course required of most first-year students. Burnes also teaches other English department courses, and teaches graduate students how to teach college writing courses.