Clemson biology instructor named Alumni Master Teacher

Published: May 3, 2010

John Cummings (middle) with Student Alumni Council members Ben Muller and Suzanne Pickens image by: Student Alumni Council

CLEMSON — Clemson University students have chosen John Cummings, senior lecturer in biological sciences, as the Alumni Master Teacher for 2010.

The Alumni Master Teacher Award for outstanding undergraduate classroom instruction is presented to a faculty member nominated by the student body and selected by the Student Alumni Council. Cummings received a $2,500 stipend and will be presented with a plaque at Commencement May 7.

Cummings joined the Clemson faculty in 1989. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. His courses include human anatomy and physiology and “Welcome to the Gene Age.” He also serves as an instructor at the South Carolina DNA Learning Center, which provides genetics and biotechnology outreach education to students in grades 5 through 12, teachers and the public.

“I have never learned more in a class than in his class,” one student nominator wrote.

“He is by far my favorite teacher I have had in my major classes,” another student wrote. “He really cares about his students and their future careers in science.”

Cummings’ research includes a long-term field project on barn owls. His other interests include laboratory curriculum development and teaching assistant training. He serves as an academic adviser and on a departmental faculty committee.

Cummings also is adviser and coach of Clemson’s air rifle club team, which recently won the national intercollegiate air rifle championship at Purdue University.

“It's very humbling to be nominated for this award, let alone to be the recipient. The simple fact that students not only nominated me, but fought for my selection means more than the actual award itself,” said Cummings. “I really wish I could claim to be a great teacher, but I'm convinced that I'm just a guy lucky enough to be able to teach an interesting subject to a highly motivated group of students.”

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