Clarkson University Professor Erik Backus Receives Distinguished Teaching Award
Erik Backus (CivE ‘97, PhD ‘23), a Professor of Practice and the Howard E. Lechler Director of the Construction Engineering Management (CEM) Program at Clarkson University, was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award during the University’s spring 2025 commencement awards ceremony on Friday.
The $1500 prize is given “in recognition of the importance of superior teaching.” Candidates are nominated for the award by Clarkson alumni, and the final selection is made by a faculty committee.
Backus teaches courses in the aforementioned area of construction engineering management as well as leading and teaching the Capstone Design experience for civil & environmental engineering majors at Clarkson. Prof. Backus really believes in “learning by doing,” and that comes out in how his students speak about his classes. “Dr. Backus's teaching style and leadership in and outside the classroom are similar to what a young professional would experience in the real world,” says Ajay Johnson (CivE ‘25) “There's no spoon feeding, and he gives you all the tools and information to figure it out and get the job done. The technical and in-the-field background that he has definitely shows in the classroom. That background, his unique experiences, and willingness to help students and build future construction and engineering professionals set Dr. Backus apart.”
Isabelle Brown (CivE ‘25) offered about the classes she has taken with Backus, “All of the classes have been project-based and hands-on and he does a really good job of making detours in the lecture to show how the material applies to the project. He also does a good job of learning the names of students and noticing the individuals in his classes.”
Another student, Matthew Hogan (CivE ‘25), says, “Professor Backus is a great presenter, making lectures easy to listen to. Backus also has a particular [format] for his classes, which is different [from] others.” Matt has also participated in the Clarkson CEM Consulting Group (C3G, https://sites.google.com/clarkson.edu/clarkson-c3g/), the group that aids nonprofits and communities with planning, construction and pre-professional efforts that Backus helped to found at Clarkson. Of his experiences with the group Hogan stated that “I have learned a lot from him and really appreciate my time at C3G [because] it taught me how to communicate with both a boss and clients.”
Finally, Master of Science in Construction Engineering Management Candidate Doug Ferris (CivE ‘81, MSCEM ‘25) stated, “Dr. Backus is that splendid once in your academic career professor who is a unique blend of being down to earth and yet a master of their craft at the same time. He combines real-world experience with his academic prowess and love for sharing knowledge with others, which makes education both efficacious and delightful. Fair-minded but strict, likely attributable to his military training and North Country upbringing, he is compassionate but firm.”
Backus was selected based on alumni nominations, for instructors with a minimum of five years as a faculty member at Clarkson. In announcing this at the general faculty meeting, Awards Committee Chair Dr. Tom Langen notes that “Professor Backus is excellent at teaching despite a very heavy service load and completing his Ph.D. in 2023. He leads impactful student projects related to infrastructure renovation and community planning and is the faculty lead for Clarkson’s Phalanx honor society.” Backus also maintains a research portfolio that includes efforts to improve decision-making in facilities and infrastructure projects.
Backus is the son of a first-generation American mother and a 4th-generation native of the North Country father. He now serves as the general manager of the family property on Boyd Pond in Russell, NY. Having completed over 20 years of service in the US Army (active and reserve), he concluded his military service with command of the 479th Engineer Battalion at Fort Drum, NY. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2018. Dr. Backus returned to Clarkson in 2014, having most recently been the Engineering Planner at George Mason University in northern Virginia, just outside the nation’s capital. He is active as a member of the Town & Village of Potsdam Climate Smart Communities Task Force. He is a member of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, where he is currently the Chair of the North Country Lutheran Parish Council. Erik is married to fellow Clarkson graduate Jackie (Clifford) Backus (Chem ‘96), and they are raising their four-year-old daughter Emily here in Potsdam.
