Professor Kalen Honored with Prestigious Teaching Award
08/25/2025
Professor Sam Kalen has received the Clyde O. Martz Teaching Award from the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law in recognition of his teaching excellence. Professor Kalen is the inaugural Robert H. McKinney Family Chair in Environmental Law at IU McKinney.
Professor Kalen’s teaching excellence is rooted in his intellectual curiosity, willingness to innovate, and extensive prior experience, the Foundation said. Prior to joining the faculty at IU McKinney, he was the William T. Schwartz Distinguished Professor of Law and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Wyoming College of Law. He has also taught courses at the University of Colorado, Washington University, Seattle University, Penn State University, Florida State University, Washington & Lee University, and University of Baltimore. At Wyoming, he founded and was the co-director of the Center for Law & Energy Resources in the Rockies. He also has extensive practical experience which informs his teaching. He practiced for over 20 years in both the public and private sectors in Washington, D.C.
Professor Kalen has been recognized by others for his contributions to academia. He is the 2020 recipient of the Frank J. Trelease Award, which is awarded to honor the longtime former dean at the University of Wyoming College of Law who was known for his love of teaching and his mastery of water law. Kalen also received the College of Law Dean’s Annual Merit Award in 2019 and the College of Law Dean’s Third Annual Extraordinary Merit Award in 2013.
The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law promotes the teaching of these areas of law, including oil and gas, mining, renewable energy, water, public lands, environmental protection, and related law pertaining to Indigenous Peoples, from both U.S. and international perspectives.
