2008 Faculty Senate University Service Award: Daniel Langmeyer

Daniel Langmeyer has the reputation of moving along a meeting, a talent the psychology professor perfected from his background in organizational development. It’s also a talent admired by fellow colleagues who have attended those committee meetings with him over the years.

He has the reputation of having a clear and proficient understanding of the complexities of the university budget, a responsibility he has undertaken over the decades of meetings and negotiations involving the governance of the university. It’s that preparation and dedication that brings Langmeyer the 2008 Faculty Award for Exemplary Contribution in Service to the University of Cincinnati. Since 2005, this award, presented by the Faculty Senate, recognizes faculty who have served beyond their departments to the benefit of the entire university.

"Daniel has developed expertise with the finances of the university that rivals that of the administration and he has used this expertise responsibly to help clarify the university’s circumstances and frame policy alternatives," says Steve Howe, head of the UC Psychology Department and president of the UC chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). "He has compiled the most impressive record of service I have ever seen."

Langmeyer joined the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology in 1969, where he’s currently director of undergraduate studies and was previously graduate program director. "I’ve always been involved in the department and have always been on an executive committee or advising committee or involved in some way with the governance of the department," he says. Twice, he was chair of the McMicken College Undergraduate Council. "Then, around 1989, I became involved with the contract negotiations of the AAUP bargaining council, and that’s when I began to study the budget and got myself on a budget and priority committee for Faculty Senate," says Langmeyer.

Langmeyer is now vice chair of the Faculty Senate, chair of the Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee and a member of the Faculty Senate Budget and Priorities Committee. He has also held longstanding roles with the UC chapter of the AAUP and is currently vice president of the UC chapter. His previous roles with the UC chapter of the AAUP include working as treasurer, secretary, head of the bargaining council and a member of the negotiating team. In fact, he has served on three negotiating teams in a row.

"When you come to the table, credibility is important, and faculty need to be prepared, knowledgeable and honest in sharing the governance of the university," Langmeyer says.

"No one has served the university for so long, so well, and in so many different, sometimes conflicting, roles as Dan Langmeyer," says Bob Faaborg, previous chair of the Faculty Senate and undergraduate director of the Department of Philosophy . "He’s honest, fair to a fault and never hesitates to criticize, object or take issue. That’s why he’s so remarkably valuable to the committees he serves and to the university. I know of no one more deserving of the service award."

"As anyone who knows Daniel can attest he hates to waste time, thus, he moves things along in meetings and gets things accomplished," says Ann Welsh, UC professor of management and chair of Faculty Senate. "He has a clear vision of how faculty may contribute to shared governance and has the best grasp of university fiscal affairs."

"What I find affirming is that there are very few administrators who are not happy when I’m in a room, even with my big mouth," Langmeyer says. "They don’t object to my being direct, because it’s not intended to be personal or hurtful. It’s a position. It’s part of getting the task done."

"Dr. Langmeyer’s most visible service role has been as a devoted member of the AAUP and the Faculty Senate. He has always been a voice of reason within those organizations, working vigorously to protect the faculty, but never sacrificing his values of promoting excellence within the university," states Robert Stutz, psychology professor and former department head from 1981 to 1999.

Those values of excellence and longtime service exemplify the spirit of the Faculty Award for Exemplary Contribution in Service.