A leading biologist at Pepperdine University in Malibu is the recipient of Baylor University's 2008 Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching.

Stephen Davis, a distinguished professor of biology in the Natural Sciences Division at Pepperdine's liberal arts undergraduate school, will receive $200,000, which, according to Baylor's Web site, is the single largest award to an individual for exceptional teaching. His department at Pepperdine will receive $25,000. The Cherry Award includes an invitation to spend a semester teaching at the Waco, Texas, university.

"It was quite a surprise," said Davis. "In fact, I was stunned by it and absolutely speechless. Of course, I am deeply honored."

Davis, 63, joined the faculty at Pepperdine in 1974 and specializes in plant physiology ecology, or the ability of plants to adapt to fire, freezing and drought. In 2002, he was awarded a three-year, $300,000 grant to study chaparral, the most abundant native plant in Southern California, and was named Pepperdine's Professor of the Year.

"I involve students in science, and I encourage them to contribute to the scientific process while still an undergraduate," Davis said.

Pepperdine President Andrew K. Benton said he's proud of Davis' achievement.

"Steve Davis is simply one of the finest teachers, scholars and colleagues anyone could find in American higher education," he said in comments released to the media.

Davis said he and wife Janet, who live on Pepperdine's Malibu campus, are looking forward to spending the fall 2008 semester at Baylor.

"They're already into the idea of integrating teaching and research," he said, "and I'm excited to play a small part in that."

The first Robert Foster Cherry Award was handed out by Baylor in 1991 and has been awarded every other year since. It was created by Baylor graduate and attorney Robert Foster Cherry, who bequeathed part of his estate to fund the award as a way to say thanks for how his life was influenced and changed by significant teachers.

Davis was chosen from three finalists. His co-finalists, who will be invited to give a series of guest lectures at Baylor during the next academic year, are George E. Andrews, professor of mathematics at Pennsylvania State University; and Rudy Pozzatti, distinguished professor emeritus of fine arts at Indiana University Bloomington.