Adrian College Students Honor Professor posted 10/19/09
Dr. Darr receives Academic Service’s EXCELlent professor of the year award

ADRIAN, Mich. - Adrian College is honored to present Dr. Kevin Darr with the Academic Service’s EXCELlent Professor of the Year award. The award was given to Darr at the Academic Services Open House in September.

Adrian College student Kelly Griffin as well as director of academic services Jane McCloskey and interim vice president and dean of academic affairs Dr. Agnes Caldwell presented Darr with the award. His name has also been added to a plaque hanging in Academic Services.

Griffin and Laura Farnsel are two of the students who nominated Darr for the award.

“Dr. Darr is an amazing professor who is willing to help students who are struggling,” said Griffin. “He worked with me in anatomy last fall because I was struggling with the tests. He took the time and effort to help me get my grade up. If it wasn’t for his help, I don’t think that I would have passed the class.”

Farnsel agrees with Griffin, saying that he truly does help all his students to succeed.

“Dr. Darr is always willing to help his students when they seem to be lost or behind, and makes an effort to motivate them if they seem to get frustrated,” said Farnsel. “If it weren’t for Dr. Darr’s amazing teaching style, I probably would have failed all of his classes!”

The EXCELlent Professor of the Year award is student-generated and was established in 1995. Last spring, the 160 students who participate in the Excel program were asked to vote based on four elements of criteria. Those elements include respect for individual student’s needs; challenge in course work; comprehensive yet fair evaluation; and openness in discussions.

The award is sponsored by the EXCEL program at the College. It is a five-year grant program funded 75% by the United States Department of Education ($1.355 million) and 25% by Adrian College. EXCEL supports 160 students yearly with scholarships and services aimed at persistence, retention, and graduation. First-generation college students, low-income and/or students with disabilities may qualify for the EXCEL program.

Darr is a specialist in Exercise and Skeletal Muscle Physiology. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He has been published several times and has given many presentations on the topic.

His dedication to his students is not something new as he was recognized in 1997 by winning the EXCEL Advisory Board Award for excellent instructor. In 2004 he was honored by the Mortar Board for his scholarship, leadership and service to Adrian College.

Griffin says it’s a privilege to have Darr as a professor.

“It is a great honor to have Dr. Darr as a professor because he has taught us so much and he wants to make sure that his students succeed in his class,” said Griffin. “Dr. Darr is a great asset to the Adrian College Exercise Science and Physical Education Department.”

Farnsel agrees commenting that there were too many reasons why he was the perfect candidate for the award.

“Dr. Darr teaches things in a way that makes it not only interesting but also turns it into information that his students actually want to remember,” said Farnsel. “In my mind, I think everyone on this campus deserves the opportunity to take one of his classes.”

Dr. Kevin Darr and his wife Kathy, who served Adrian College for 14 years as the housing coordinator, live in Adrian.