Kevin Cox, an Ohio State professor in the department of geography, was one of three professors awarded the 2003 Distinguished University Professor title. The yearly award recognizes distinctive accomplishments in research, scholarly or creative work, teaching and service.

“I felt extraordinarily humbled,” Cox said. “I was overwhelmed. I’m sure there are lots of people who deserve it just as much as I do.”

Arriving at OSU in 1965, Cox helped the department of geography rise to the top five in the nation. Under his leadership, the undergraduate curriculum was revised, new courses were added and student services were revitalized.

“Geography is a very diverse field,” Cox said. “One of the areas that we have tried to develop in this department is the aspect of geography that looks at the relationship between people and their natural environment. It’s much more political and cultural than it used to be.”

Cox sits on the college curriculum committee, where he helps decide new directions for the department.

“One of the reasons we had to develop new courses and curriculum is because we had new faculty,” he said. “It was a matter of me working with them and saying ‘What is it you would like to teach?’.”

Nancy Ettlinger, an associate professor and colleague, often discusses issues in the department with Cox.

“We discuss directions the department might take and things regarding students,” Ettlinger said.

Along with revising curriculum, Cox finds time to advise students as well.

“Anytime I need something, I just e-mail or call him,” said Delphine Ancien, an OSU student working on her master’s in geography. “He gives me direction and finds things I need to work on.”

“He is very enthusiastic with whatever he’s doing,” she said.

Stacey Isaacs received her masters in geography spring quarter. She came to OSU because of its prestige and friendly environment. Cox helped her develop her papers and ideas.

“He is exceedingly dedicated to his work and his students,” said Isaacs. “He’s undoubtedly passionate about what he does.”

Cox grew up in England and credits most of his success to his educational experiences.

“In a large part, you are what people and institutions have made you. From the age of 11, I attended a private school,” he said. “Some of the teachers where extraordinarily good. I did have an inspiring geography teacher. He taught me many things.”

Cox received his bachelor’s degree from Cambridge University.

“I happened to arrive, quite fortunately, at the time when the field was being revolutionized. I was in on the ground floor,” he said.

After coming to the United States with aspirations to become a schoolteacher, Cox decided to attend the University of Illinois instead. There, he received a master’s degree and doctorate.

“I actually met my wife at the University of Illinois. She was a graduate student in French,” he said.

Cox has written 10 books and is developing two more scheduled for release in 2004. He received the Guggenheim Fellowship award for his works in 2001. To get his creative energy, Cox spends time engaging in several recreational activities.

“I do try to keep fit. I’ll run four miles. Then I’ll go and do weight training. I do that a couple of times a week,” he said. “Cooling down after the run, often that’s my best time for thinking, when things will come to me.”

Cox is a jazz enthusiast as well.

“Just about every evening I’ll play my saxophone. I find working through the harmony is a very relaxing sort of thing,” he said.

In between playing his saxophone and watching NFL football with his son – his favorite team is the Cincinnati Bengals – Cox finds time for his work and his students.

“Despite many awards and accolades, he is very modest. He cares about all these things and thinks them seriously,” Ettlinger said.

“In all seriousness, I’ve had a very privileged academic life. I got to Cambridge at exactly the right time,” he said. “Low and behold I get hired at Ohio State. Coming here was very important. I feel blessed to be at this particular place at this particular time.”

Two other professors also were recipients of the 2003 OSU Distinguished Professor title.

Eric Herbst, a professor in the departments of physics, astronomy and chemistry, is one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of molecular astrophysics. Herbst received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Rochester and his master’s and doctorate from Harvard University, and joined OSU in 1991.

Brian D. Joseph joined Ohio State’s faculty in the linguistics department in 1979 and received a joint appointment in the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Literatures in 1997. Joseph earned his bachelor’s degree from Yale University and his master’s degree and doctorate in linguistics from Harvard University.