The Elmhurst College Alumni Association has named chemistry professor Eugene Losey the winner of the 2018 Dr. Andrew K. Prinz Faculty and Staff Merit Award.

Named for a beloved professor of urban studies who taught at Elmhurst from 1969 to 2003, the Dr. Andrew K. Prinz Faculty and Staff Merit Award recognizes past and current faculty and staff members who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to Elmhurst students and alumni.

Jo Siuda ’93 nominated Professor Losey for the award. “Dr. Losey was the entire reason for my success on campus and beyond,” she said. “Being the first in my family to attend high school, then college, I remember how he would never let me make excuses and pushed me to work hard and keep moving forward. Now after receiving four degrees, I can look back and know that I am who I am today because of him.”

President Troy D. VanAken and Valerie Day, vice president of institutional advancement, presented Losey with the award on April 29 during the Andrew K. Prinz Lecture for Political Awareness.

Professor Losey joined the faculty at Elmhurst in 1977, and is one of only three faculty members to have twice received the Elmhurst College President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has served on and chaired numerous committees and councils, and also served as dean of the faculty and vice president for academic affairs during the 2005-2006 academic year.

He was especially pleased to receive the Prinz award because he thought of Prinz as a great colleague and friend.

“Andy was many things, among them honest, friendly, genuine, easy to work with and devoted to the College,” Losey said. “He also loved his students, and this award testifies to how much they loved and respected him.”

“This award means a great deal because it comes from students via the alumni group,” he said. “The students are the main reason we enjoy teaching at Elmhurst, so an award that originates from them is really special.”