Ettinger

SALEM — A native of La Grande received the Julie Aberdroth Professor of the Year Award from the Willamette University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Lucas Ettinger is an assistant professor of exercise and health science at the private university in Salem, grew up in La Grande and is a 2002 graduate of La Grande High.

Willamette University presents the award each year in memory of professor Julie Abendroth, whose dedication to Willamette student-athletes went beyond the classroom, according to the university’s press release.

Ettinger and previous recipients of the award have demonstrated devotion to the pursuit of excellence by student-athletes at Willamette in academics and athletics. Gene Perle-Jones, committee member and member of the university’s men’s tennis team, nominated Ettinger.

“He is a great professor because he has energy, he clearly loves what he does, and wants to share that passion with his students,” Perle-Jones said in the press release.

“He is understanding, keeps class interesting with activities and jokes, and wants his students to succeed,” Perle-Jones said in the press release. “For me as a student, sometimes class and learning felt like a chore, but I can honestly say I never felt that way in the classes he taught, and he made me want to learn.”

Other members of the Willamette SAAC agreed with Perle-Jones that Ettinger is a great professor and he makes classes fun and interesting.

Ettinger has been at Willamette since 2014. He has published five peer-reviewed original articles and has conducted clinical research into neuromuscular disorders.