George E. Tempel, Ph.D., received the 1998 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Science Awareness for 1998 at a special ceremony in the Governor’s Office on April 30.

A professor of physiology at MUSC, Tempel was recognized for his contributions to science outreach in South Carolina.

“Dr. Tempel’s work to promote science education in the pre-college arena in South Carolina has enabled the Medical University to reach out to young people throughout the state and encourage them to appreciate science at an early age,” said MUSC president Dr. James B. Edwards. “These young people become the scientists and clinicians who are the future of our state and nation. Dr. Tempel’s love for education and science is contagious.”

Tempel was instrumental in establishing a business/education partnership between the Medical University of South Carolina and Charleston County schools, which opened up MUSC’s human and physical resources to pre-college children in the tri-county area by offering tours, mentoring relationships, and science and health career exploration opportunities.

Several years ago, Tempel developed a nationally-recognized program, Saturday Scholars, which offers high school students hands-on biomedical laboratory experiences. In addition, he has secured funds from the National Institutes of Health and other organizations to support pre-college initiatives, such as the Biotechnology Teacher Workshops which give high school teachers across South Carolina the necessary tools to bring molecular biology experiments into their classrooms.

“He makes these contributions in addition to his nationally recognized accomplishments in his research laboratory,” said Layton McCurdy, M.D. vice president for medical affairs and dean of the College of Medicine. “Dr. Tempel is a successful teacher who inspires. He has a love of science and is determined to share that with as many young people as he can. He unselfishly gives back to the Medical University of South Carolina, to the Charleston community and to the state of South Carolina.”

Tempel has been recognized with the Distinguished Volunteer Award from the Charleston County School District on a yearly basis since 1989. Statewide, he serves on several prestigious boards, including the Governor’s Mathematics and Science Advisory Board and the South Carolina Academy of Science.