Emporia State's Sundberg named Roe Cross Distinguished Professor

Marshall Sundberg, a botany professor at Emporia State University, was recently named the university’s 2016 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor.

He received the honor via a surprise announcement during his Biology of Plants class last week.

“I know many of the members who are Roe Cross (professors) right now. It’s a good group to be with,' Sundberg said. "So I appreciate the honor.”

Sundberg came to Emporia State in 1997 and became a full-time faculty member in 2004, taking on the role of chairman of the Department of Biological Sciences. Prior to Emporia State, Sundberg worked at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and Louisiana State University.

“He began his education seeking a bachelor’s degree to teach secondary science but became caught up in academic botany,” wrote his colleague, Richard Schrock, in the letter of nomination for Sundberg. “This dual teacher-researcher role has expanded across his years at Emporia State University, bringing national attention to ESU through his work in botany and botany education at the national level.”