This instructor received more than just an apple on his desk for his teaching abilities.

Dr. Arthur Saltzman, professor of English, was this year’s pick for the 2003 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. The awards ceremony took place at the University Plaza Hotel in Springfield where Saltzman ate lunch with Gov. Bob Holden and the 68 other recipients of the award.

“Who can complain?” Saltzman said.

He said a friend told him he should realize that lunch with the governor was nothing to sneeze at, because if he had been in California, he would’ve been eating with Arnold Schwarzennegger.

Saltzman was surprised to win the award and said it was a humbling experience.

“I think it’s less recognition as it is something to live up to from this point on,” he said.

Every year the governor recognizes the accomplishments of faculty members from postsecondary schools, colleges and universities from around the state by giving them the excellence award.

Saltzman was chosen for the award by University President Julio León.

“He is one of our outstanding professors,” León said.

He said Saltzman is the type of instructor that sets an example to his colleagues.

“We were very proud to nominate him for this award,” León said.

Since 1979, Saltzman has been on the faculty at Missouri Southern, where he has earned the Outstanding Teacher Award at the university level.

He has published seven books, written numerous articles and essays, won the Creative Non-Fiction Prize in 2002, won the First Series Creative Non-Fiction Award in 2000 and was selected for the 2003 Victor J. Emmett, Jr. Memorial Prize.

Saltzman said he is lucky to work at a place like Southern where he can exercise his interests and be recognized for them.

“It’s about time Dr. Saltzman won this award,” said Dr. Dale Simpson, head of the English department.

Simpson said Saltzman is finally being recognized for his many accomplishments throughout the years.

“He would be a model for any university professor anywhere in this country,” Simpson said.