Adjunct Professor of History Wins Danville Community College Outstanding Faculty Award

Danville Community College named its 2018 Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award winner during its annual lecturers’ meeting on Aug. 16.

Adjunct Professor of History John Kingery earned the distinction and was presented with a plaque from DCC Vice President of Academic and Student Services Debra Holley.

“DCC is fortunate to have so many outstanding faculty — both full-time and adjunct,” Holley said. “John Kingery has served the college and her students with 110 percent. He has taught classes, tutored, and initiated programs on a part-time status, often giving of his own time. He is a sterling example of what putting students before self looks like and we are proud to recognize him with this award.”

In nomination letters for Kingery’s selection, his colleagues spoke of his commitment and dedication to his students. Photo courtesy DCC

In the nomination letters for Kingery’s selection to receive the award, his colleagues spoke highly of his commitment and dedication to the students at DCC.

Chris Pantazis said that, while his and Kingery’s academic disciplines were different, he respected his model of teaching and his interactions with students.

“John builds history and culture into everything he does at DCC,” Pantazis said. “He makes history come alive through engaging lectures, connects history to the present through student civic engagement, and encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities.”

Pantazis added that Kingery took personal time to take a group of students to visit Civil War battle sites.

“He is truly student focused,” Pantazis said.

DCC Professor of English and Spanish Theodore Maier said that Kingery’s popularity among the students didn’t happen by chance.

“John’s student evaluations are typically in the 90th percentile for student satisfaction. As an advisor myself, I can share that students consistently, frequently ask for John’s courses since he started as an adjunct in 2013 and during the last seven semesters in which he has taught American history for us,” Maier said. “He singlehandedly and without any institutional pressure designed and implemented both the Hispanic Culture Club and DCC Movie Knights film series under no obligation to do so.”