The Arkansas Tech University student body has selected Dr. Jim Collins as professor of the year for the 2016-17 academic year.
Collins was chosen for the honor through voting sponsored by Arkansas Tech Student Government Association April 18-20.
A member of the ATU faculty since 1983, Collins holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State University as well as Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Louisiana State University. He is professor of agriculture at Arkansas Tech.
Collins’ contributions to ATU beyond the traditional classroom have included overseeing the annual Department of Agriculture plant sales for 34 years and serving as both executive director and master of ceremonies for the annual Miss Arkansas Tech Unviersity Pageant.
He was voted 2010 executive director of the year by the Miss Arkansas Pageant organization and 2015-16 ATU Bridge to Excellence mentor of the year.
Collins will retire from his faculty position at the end of the 2016-17 academic year, but he plans to maintain his volunteer duties with the Miss Tech Pageant.
Other nominees for 2016-17 ATU professor of the year included Dr. Chris Giroir (Graduate College), Dr. Shellie Hanna (College of Education), Tracy Johnston (College of Business), Dr. Hanna Norton (College of eTech), Dr. Hamed Shojaei (College of Natural and Health Sciences) and Megan Toland (College of Arts and Humanities).
