PUC Students Honor Educator of the Year

A chemist who plays the violin, is kind to cats, ties messages of God’s love onto balloons, fixes cars, and preaches practical sermons. That is only a partial picture of the professor selected as PUC’s 2002-2003 Educator of the Year: Richard E. Clark.

Richard received a B.A. in chemistry (cum laude) from Union College and a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Kansas State University. He joined the PUC chemistry department in 2000, following eight years of teaching at the Adventist University of the Philippines. Not only did he and his family enjoy living in the Philippines and riding the infamous jitneys, but Richard also distinguished himself at AUP by receiving the “Reward for Excellence,” for outstanding teaching performance, exemplifying the Master Teacher, and upholding the ideals of the school and the church.

The Educator of the Year is selected jointly by the students and the Faculty Development, Research, and Honors Committee. The selection is based on excellence in teaching, spiritual leadership, scholarly credibility, relationships with students, and support of the college. Along with the honor comes a beautiful plaque and a $1,500 gift from the college.

“Working with students, watching them grasp a little of the make-up of God’s creation, learning more about myself in the process, and helping them figure out His special plan for them — this is what makes teaching the most fun job in the world!” says Clark.