Class of '14 votes for its top professors Published May 9, 2014 By U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Dr. Robert Noyd from the Biology Department and Lt. Col. Brian Payne from the Management Department were selected to receive the Academy's 2014 Heiser Awards. The awards were presented to the winners by Cadet 1st Class Reuben Luoma-Overstreet, the Cadet Wing commander, and Cadet 2nd Class Courtney Keplinger, Cadet Wing academic NCO here April 28. The senior cadets voted for the instructor who contributed the most to their personal and intellectual development and continually demonstrated and promoted the Air Force's Core Values, selecting Noyd and Payne from more than 190 eligible senior professors. Noyd is a biology professor and former director of Faculty Development at the Academy. He earned his doctorate in plant pathology from the University of Minnesota. Noyd's 36-year career has focused on improving the teaching and learning of biology in class and beyond. He's also the senior author of an introductory biology textbook and national leader of a new approach to biology education capitalizing on student interest and background. Along with his Academy co-authors, he's written a guidebook, "Building a Pathway for Student Learning," aimed at helping college faculty design courses for student success. He presents workshops on learning-focused teaching strategies at colleges and universities throughout the country and serves as a consulting editor for the journal "College Teaching." Noyd's ongoing project is compiling thousands of photographs into an easy-to use "Identification Guide to Plants of the U.S. Air Force Academy & Pikes Peak Region." Payne earned a doctorate in business administration (finance specialization) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His research interests include empirical investments and corporate finance topics. Currently a senior military faculty member in the Management Department, he's taught the Managerial Finance, Investments, Managerial Accounting, and core Management courses at the Academy. Payne serves as officer-in-charge of the cadet Team Handball Club, which recently earned a bronze medal at the College National Championships. The Heiser Award, named after Professor Emeritus Dr. William H. Heiser, is the only award selected by the graduating class. In 2010 Dr. Heiser was elected honorary fellow for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics alongside former Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Sheila Widnall. Other Dean of Faculty news Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James approved the nomination of Lt. Col. Troy Harting for the position of Management Department permanent professor. ] The nomination has not yet been approved by Congress.