The Lake Improvement Association presented Theresa Dirksen and Dr. Stephen Jacquemin with the Guardian of the Lake Award at its December 2025 member meeting.
The Guardian of the Lake Award is presented to individuals who have taken extraordinary action to improve Grand Lake St. Marys, and both recipients have made significant contributions toward water quality efforts.
Dirksen is the Mercer County Ag & Natural Resources Director and spearheads the Lake Restoration Commission. She oversees treatment train design, installation, and management as well as the research, testing, and implementation of watershed practices that directly influence water quality. ODNR has previously recognized her with the Cardinal Award and the Wildlife Award.
Dr. Jacquemin, a biology professor at Wright State University–Lake Campus, studies harmful algal blooms and develops evidence-based solutions that are published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. His research has created a blueprint for how to solve toxic algal blooms in freshwater lakes like Grand Lake St. Marys.
Dirksen and Jacquemin routinely collaborate on key lake improvement projects, combining scientific insight with innovative engineering to guide water quality initiatives that have reduced nutrient loading by up to 90%.
“Grand Lake St. Marys has made real progress thanks to the dedication of Theresa and Stephen,” said LIA President Brian Morris. “It takes a team to tackle a challenge this big, and we’re fortunate to have two of the best right here on Grand Lake. We still have work to do, but I cannot overstate their impact or how fortunate we are that they’re committed to restoring our greatest natural resource. Theresa and Stephen truly are Guardians of the Lake.”
Pictured (l-r): Mercer County Ag & Natural Resources Director Theresa Dirksen, LIA President Brian Morris, Wright State University Biology Professor Dr. Stephen Jacquemin