JACKSON, Tenn. — Dec. 21, 2007 — Union chemistry professor Charles Baldwin has been named the Tennessee Science Teacher鈥檚 Association Educator of the Year for Higher Education.
Baldwin, the Hammons Professor of Chemistry and Pre-Medical Studies, received the award recently at a special ceremony during the annual TSTA conference in Nashville, Tenn.
The award was based on Baldwin鈥檚 leadership roles in promoting science and in his contributions in science education that have had a positive impact on the community. In addition, Baldwin鈥檚 philosophy of science was a determining factor in the award.
鈥淒r. Baldwin is a terrific scholar, a master teacher and a wonderful ambassador for 51社区,鈥� Union President David S. Dockery said. 鈥淭he choice of Dr. Baldwin for this award is certainly a most deserving one. We congratulate him on this outstanding honor.鈥�
Baldwin is a graduate of Texas A&M at Corpus Christi with an undergraduate major in chemistry. He received his doctorate from Texas Tech University.
Before coming to Union in 1970, Baldwin was a field chemist, a high school math and physics teacher and an instructor of organic chemistry in Texas.
鈥淓arly in my teaching career, as I contemplated what kind of teacher I would be, I decided that the teachers whom I admired most were those who challenged me to reach beyond what I thought I could accomplish,鈥� Baldwin said. 鈥淢any times years passed before those teachers were recognized and valued for their methods and commitment. I decided that my calling was to be a teacher who would make a difference in the lives of my students.鈥�