Biology professor receives Excellence in Teaching Award
Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Matthew Campbell was one of 21 professors from member colleges recognized by South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) at its 2025 Excellence in Teaching Awards dinner April 22 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, S.C.
Each year, SCICU honors outstanding faculty members from each of its member schools. Awardees are each given a $3,000 professional development grant.
Campbell, who joined the Erskine College faculty in 2018, has taught ecology, freshman organismal biology, geology, herpetology, ichthyology, invertebrate zoology, and ornithology, as well as the biology research seminar. He advises biology majors and serves on several faculty committees.
His published research is on fossil and modern Mollusca, and he presented research about Pliocene Mollusca at the 2024 North American Paleontological Convention.
Campbell conducts paleontology research at field locations and in museum collections, including the South Carolina State Museum, the Charleston Museum, the Florida Museum of Natural History, and the National Museum of Natural History.
Active on eBird and eButterfly, he confirms identifications for community members based on their descriptions of birds or other wildlife and identifies geology specimens.
“Dr. Campbell is an inspiration to both his students and his peers,” says Dean of the College Shane Bradley. “He upholds the highest academic standards and, through his devotion to his craft, works tirelessly to help students experience academic success and develop an appreciation for the sciences.”
Established in 1953, SCICU describes its mission on its website: “Our mission is to strengthen South Carolina’s independent colleges and universities through collaboration, governmental advocacy, fundraising, and public engagement so that every student may choose, afford, and earn an independent college education that fits their personal values, professional and social aspirations, and approach to learning.”
Pictured at top, from left, are SCICU President & CEO Dr. Robert Lloyd, Dr. Matthew Campbell, and SCICU Board of Trustees Chair Willis Cantey.
