Professor Anne Bettendorf, Department of Biological Sciences, received the Faculty Member of the Year Award from The National Society of Collegiate Scholars: ISU Chapter (NSCS). As the recipient of this award, Bettendorf was formally recognized at the first-year student induction to NSCS, received a personal stipend, and had a $5,000 contribution made in her name to the general scholarship fund. "Anne is a teacher of the greatest compassion for her students, and she genuinely cares about their academic progress as well as their personal well being,” said Dr. Tak Cheung, Department Chair of Biological Sciences. “Students admire her dedication and commitment, and they respect her for the high standards that she sets for them. The Department of Biological Sciences is most fortunate having Anne on our teaching staff." Since 1998, Bettendorf has been the Biology General Education Course Coordinator and the Coordinator of the Biology Department Graduate Students TA Training Program. In 2005, she also received the Distinguished Professor Award from the Student Education Society.

NSCS is one of the nation's premiere honor organizations for high-achieving students. It was founded in 1994 at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and recognizes outstanding academic achievement among first- and second-year college students, based on grade point average and class standing. NSCS is an invitation-only organization and offers benefits including scholarships, leadership development, travel opportunities, and career resources. The motto for NSCS is: Engaging. Motivating. Inspiring. “I know that many students posses the humility that might divert them from much self-praise, but for me to be personally recognized as a teacher gives me the great opportunity to tell students how valuable they are,” said Bettendorf. “An educator's real joy is found in the student. To see a student thrive, be enthusiastic, take knowledge and hopefully let that knowledge affect the world in some way, is a great thing to witness for a teacher. They made me feel that I have not only witnessed these things, but perhaps provided some of them with that zeal for learning. Which is why I love working at ISU—I enjoy working with our undergraduates and graduate students.”