Midland College recognizes faculty for teaching excellenceDecember 06, 2018

The Teaching Excellence Award is presented to select faculty each year who have made significant contributions to the intellectual life of the college through innovation in the classroom and their commitment to students.

The following seven MC faculty members were recognized at the awards luncheon and celebration on November 27:

• Allison Brown, assistant professor of English
• Sarah Hildebrand, instructor of Mathematics
• David Hopkins, assistant professor and Henry Professor of History
• Meredith Martin, instructor Business Leadership Certificate and Speech
• Laurie Brannigan, associate professor of Nursing
• Scott Cranford, associate professor of Welding
• Leland Hart, instructor of Emergency Medical Services and Fire Science Technology

The 2019 Midland College Teaching Excellence Award winners are Dr. David Hopkins, representing MC’s academic/transfer programs and Leland Hart, representing MC’s career/technical programs.

Dr. David Hopkins has been teaching History at MC since 2015. He is an assistant professor and the Henry Professor of History. He received a PhD and MA from Wayne State University.

Using literature, politics, film, art and other primary sources, he helps students make historical connections while informing their understanding of history. Students review documents and various media on an individual basis and in group discussions. They immerse themselves in a historical time and place and walk in the shoes of various historical actors.

“It is my job to help students make connections between the events that shape their lives today and historical events,” said Hopkins. “To do this, I engage students in discussions centered on primary sources and include visual aids to help make connections to the past.”

A graduate of Midland College, Leland Hart has taught at MC for over 12 years. He is the program coordinator and an instructor of Emergency Medical Services and Fire Science Technology. He has been involved in EMS for over 38 years, serving as a field paramedic, an EMS Director and Program Specialist.

Hart loves teaching and the relationships that build and develop with his students. He loves to watch his students leave the classroom, start out as patient care providers and then move up the ranks in their careers.

“Of all the privileges and opportunities that I have been given to serve, I consider it a great privilege and opportunity that Midland College has given me to mold and change lives of all my students and help them reach their dreams,” said Hart. “Awards or no awards, that will always be my legacy.”

See in photo are Dr. David Hopkins (left), assistant professor and the Henry Professor of History and Leland Hart (right), program coordinator and an instructor of Emergency Medical Services and Fire Science Technology.