Homepage

Back

Archives

Villanova University honored one of its most famous sons Feb. 12 with the presentation of the Villanova University Outstanding Faculty Research Award. Dr. Aaron Bauer, affectionately known as the lizard man, is a world renowned herpetologist, and because of his extensive research endeavors, he was actually just receiving the award that he was chosen to receive during the 2001-2002 school year. Donning a business casual sweater vest and necktie (thanks to the insistence of his wife) as opposed to his trademark Hawaiian shirt and shorts, a gracious Bauer humbly accepted the reward from his peers.

In a moment of levity, Bauer smilingly recounted his interviews before becoming a professor at Villanova. “I remember interviewing with [other schools], and all the faculty in the Biology department seemed to hate each other. It has been my great pleasure to work in the Villanova University academic community, a community where the faculty members actually like each other.”

With a vitae too long to even begin to do justice, Bauer is a recognized name in the international community, and one of the most respected people of his occupation in the world., However, what sets Bauer apart is his true love for what he is doing, as evinced by the look of joy on his face when he speaks of his various exploits in search of new and different species of his specialty, the gecko. New Caledonia, a veritable utopia for the study of said reptile has become his home away from home as he continues to seek out new species and study those already known.

“The role of a professor at Villanova University is two-fold,” according to Dr. John R. Johannes, vice president for Academic Affairs. “We want our professors to be teacher/scholars, embracing the fact that scholarship drives and supports students’ ability to learn. For a professor not to do research undermines undergraduate education.” In his 14 years at Villanova University, Bauer has personified the teacher/scholar model.