Calvin seniors creatively announce "2010 Professor of the Year"

Summary: Calvin biology professor Peter Tigchelaar was named "Professor of the Year" by the 2010 senior class, and he found out in an unusual way. See www.vimeo.com/11631936

See full story: www.calvin.edu/news/2009-10/tigchelaar-poy

Peter Tigchelaar is Calvin's 2010 "Professor of the Year," an honor bestowed on one faculty member each year by Calvin's outgoing senior class.

Tigchelaar is the 13th recipient of the award and the fourth biology faculty member to win it since its inception, joining Steve Matheson (2005), Dave Warners (2006) and Joy Bonnema (2007).

"Never before in the history of Calvin College has the senior class so overwhelmingly voted for a single recipient," said David DeHeer, chair of Calvin's biology department.

Tigchelaar, a 35-year veteran of the biology faculty, found out about his award when his entire Biology 323 class: "Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy," walked out of his lecture.

His response?

"I often wondered what I would do if the whole class got up and left."

He then walked up the stairs toward the door where he was joined by about 100 students, colleagues and family members to celebrate his achievement.

Tigchelaar will be presented with a clock commemorating his award at the annual Senior Brunch on Saturday, May 22, 2010.

-end-

Matt Kucinski
Media Relations Manager
Calvin College
msk23@calvin.edu
616.526.8935 (office)
616.307.7429 (cell)
Received on Tue May 11 13:57:45 2010