UMF professor recognized for commitment to student success

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Joel King, UMF professor of psychology. (UMF photo)
Joel King, UMF professor of psychology. (UMF photo)

FARMINGTON – Joel King, University of Maine at Farmington professor of psychology, has been recognized by the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges with the Charles Dunn COPLAC Award for his “commitment to student success that goes above and beyond the classroom and office …and his extraordinary attention to students as individuals who sometimes face unique challenges.”

“Joel richly deserves this recognition,” said Joseph McGinn, UMF vice president for academic affairs and provost. “His personal attention and long-standing efforts on behalf of so many students is exemplary and we offer him our heartfelt congratulations.”

Even after 28 years of teaching at UMF, King still regards time spent with students as his top priority. Over his tenure, he has been selected as UMF Faculty Member of the Year nine times, a recognition given by students, and one he cherishes.

King states that some of the greatest contributions to his education came from his experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Maktab Rendah Saens School in Malaysia. He was a teacher in a program where Malay children from villages throughout the country were given the resources, education, and opportunities to pursue their dreams and achieve their optimal development. This experience and his role as a father confirmed for him the tremendous potential that exists in every child—a belief he embraces with all of his students.

King’s areas of expertise include assessment of families in poverty and school programs, infant and child development and parenting. He also spearheads the annual Autism Summer Camp Program in Farmington. This partnership between UMF and the Autism Society of Maine began in 2002 and has served over 200 children ages 5-15 with autism.

King received his Ph.D. from Cornell University.

COPLAC’s Charles Dunn Award was established in memory of the contributions of Charles Dunn to the advancement of the consortium and to student success in the public liberal arts sector. Dunn served as President of Henderson State University for 22 years, and as a COPLAC President (2000-2001) and Board member for ten years.

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5 Comments

  1. Congratulations to Joel King, who is well-deserving of the COPLAC award.

    Although I work in a different academic division than Dr. King, many of my students take one or more courses with him. They have wonderful things to say about their experiences. By all accounts, he is a masterful teacher, and students leave his classes with a better understanding of and enthusiasm for how children develop and learn. Whereas students offer many descriptions of Dr. King, three arise repeatedly: (1) He is nice/he is kind, (2) He is funny/he’s got a great sense of humor, (3) He works hard/he is dedicated.

    I’ve had the opportunity to serve on several committees with Joel, and he uniformly approaches whatever task set before the group with those similar qualities: (1) he is kind to everyone in the group, (2) he displays a good sense of humor, and (3) he is dedicated to achieving the best outcome for UMF and our students.

    When I came to UMF 16 years ago, Joel was one of the first colleagues that I met outside of my own department. He took the time to talk with me, learn about my academic background and my family, and discuss our common interests. I immediately was struck by his kindness and humor, and I’ve appreciated and been the recipient of both many times since then. Over the years, I also have been impressed with his dedication — to the University of Maine at Farmington, the people who work there, and its students.

    University faculty tend to be intelligent (or what my mom used to call “book-smart”) folks, and certainly Joel is no exception. However, what makes Dr. Joel King such a treasure to UMF are those three qualities that he exudes in abundance: kindness, humor, and dedication. Congratulations and thank you, Joel. Working with you has made me a better professor, particularly as I try to emulate the fine example you set as a professional and as a human being.

  2. Hardly a surprise. Joel is the epitome of friendliness, warmth, dedication and excellence, not to mention an outstanding sense of humor.Congratulations.

  3. I should add that my sentiments were expressed prior to having read those of Dr. Clawson (above), in which she uses descriptors of Joel almost identical to my own. If nothing else, that would certainly point to the similar ways in which Joel has touched so many people over the years- students, faculty, family, friends and community alike.

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