Adrian Applauds Professors for Excellent Teaching
posted 8/27/08
College honors Quinlan and Claus with awards

ADRIAN, Mich. - Adrian College is pleased to recognize Professor Pat Quinlan and Dr. Michael Claus for their excellence in teaching. Both professors were honored today during the College’s opening convocation for the new school year.

Professor Patrick Quinlan, professor of accountancy and business, was awarded the Teaching Excellence Award. The Teaching Excellence Award is sponsored by the Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church.

Quinlan earned his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Toledo and a Juris Doctorate from Northwestern California University School of Law, Sacramento, Calif. He specializes in marketing research and data analysis.

Since coming to Adrian College, Quinlan has distinguished himself through professional and campus work, and is highly respected by his colleagues and students.

He is the recent author of “Mapping Points the Way to Better Marketing Strategy” published by Quirks Marketing Research Review. Of particular note is Quinlan’s work with the Adrian College Dawson Scholars. Over the past five years the students under the mentorship of Quinlan have conducted research with local companies and non-profits and conducted training sessions on conflict resolution and athletic coach training. The students also partnered with a local non-profit to do website development.

Carolyn Quinlan, Adrian College Director of Admissions, is Professor Quinlan’s wife and their son is a freshman at the College.

Dr. Michael Claus, assistant professor of chemistry, received the Ross Newsom Award for Outstanding Teaching. The Ross Newsom Award honors the memory of Ross Newsom (Adrian College class of 1936) and is sponsored by his sons.

Dr. Claus’ research focuses on fruit spirits. He is a frequent presenter at Chemistry conferences and is the author of multiple publications in the “Journal of Food Processing Engineering.” Dr. Claus is known for his rigorous classes and solid campus service.

Students in particular, offer glowing reviews of Dr. Claus. They say, "He is always available to us," and "He is always willing to slow down, back up, and make sure that we really know the material" and "He talks to us about the future, preparing us for life after Adrian College. Whether we are interested in graduate school or going into the workforce, he helps us understand what we need to be prepared for."

Dr. Claus earned his Ph.D. in biosystems engineering and his master’s degree in chemistry from Michigan State University. Dr. Claus and his wife, Joann Prisciandaro, reside in Saline.