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CORVALLIS - Oregon State University has named an acclaimed author-philosopher and a prominent forest scientist as recipients of its Distinguished Professor honor. It is the highest ranking OSU awards its faculty.

Kathleen Dean Moore, a professor in the College of Liberal Arts, and Jeffrey J. Morrell, a professor in the College of Forestry, will be honored at a reception in Memorial Union 109 on Nov. 11 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

"Both recipients are extraordinary individuals who exemplify world-class excellence in teaching, research, scholarship and service," said Timothy P. White, provost and executive vice president.

Moore is recognized as one of the university's finest teachers and has received numerous awards, as well as high ratings from students. Before each fall, she takes a class of students into the Cascade Mountains for a week to discuss and write about nature.

She also has written three award-winning books, including "Riverwalking" and "Holdfast," both collections of essays that use nature to look at human relationships and challenges. A fourth book, "The Island Paradox," is in press.

Moore chaired OSU's Department of Philosophy from 1992 to 2000, then took over as director of an innovative new program - the Spring Creek Project for Ideas, Nature and the Written Word. The program combines environmental sciences, philosophic analysis and writing to re-examine nature.

Moore has been on the OSU faculty since 1977. She has a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Colorado.

Morrell is internationally recognized as one of the most productive and influential scientists in the field of wood protection and preservation. He has garnered more than $9.6 million in research support during the past two decades, and written more than 400 professional articles.

He co-authored a textbook on wood protection, and his handbook on utility wood pole maintenance is used by almost all North American electrical utilities.

Morrell is also a noted educator and has developed several courses for college students, as well as an educational program called "Oregon Wood Magic," which he offers to 3rd- and 4th-grade visitors to the OSU campus.

Morrell has won numerous awards for research and service, and is president-elect of the International Research Group in Wood Preservation, which has delegates from 47 countries.

Morrell has been on the OSU faculty since 1983. He has a Ph.D. in forest pathology and mycology from State University of New York.