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Dr. Daniel Dankovich, lecturer-biology at Kent State East Liverpool, received the 2019 Outstanding Teaching Award from the University Teaching Council at Kent State. This is the university’s highest honor for nontenure-track faculty.

Dankovich began teaching part-time for Kent State in 2010, teaching on the Salem, Twinsburg, Burton and East Liverpool campuses. He became a fulltime faculty member on the East Liverpool Campus in 2018, teaching human biology and anatomy/physiology.

Now living in Canfield, Dankovich graduated from Austintown Fitch High School in 1980. He received two bachelor’s degrees (in biology and psychology) from the Ohio State University in 1984, before earning his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the National College of Chiropractic in 1989.

Dankovich helps coordinate and participates in study sessions throughout the year that provide opportunities for students to get intensive tutoring and instructional support, as well as help prepare them for exams and testing. He was among the first instructors to use virtual reality as a student learning tool, shifting the way students engage with his anatomy classes.

“Dan is not satisfied with simply being really good,” noted Dr. David Dees, dean and CAO for the Kent State Columbiana County campuses. “Over the last several years, he has dedicated himself to finding even better ways to teach. Dan has dedicated himself to focusing more on student learning, rather than just his lecturing style. ...

“…Individuals who are the best at their profession are never satisfied with just being good. These individuals are on a path to find greatness and Dan represents this in the area of college teaching.”

Dankovich also took the initiative to create a food pantry for students on the East Liverpool Campus and created a student leadership council that helps manage the food distributions.

“Like all great educators, Dr. Dankovich understands that being a professor is about more than just what goes on in the classroom,” Dees continued. “Dan always volunteers and/or takes the lead on important projects. His passion for helping students is in everything he does and he role models for his colleagues the best practices in higher education.”

The Outstanding Teaching Award is presented annually to faculty members who consistently showcase astounding skills in classroom teaching. Award winners are formally recognized at the annual University Teaching Council Conference on the Kent Campus.

Cutline A: Dr. Daniel Dankovich

Cutline B: Dr. Dankovich with Dr. David Dees, dean and CAO of the Kent State Columbiana County campuses

Cutline C: Celebrating with Dr. Dankovich (second from right) were (from left) Dr. Susan Rossi, assistant dean of Kent State East Liverpool; Krista Hawkins, nursing faculty at Kent State Salem; Dr. Louise Steele, assistant professor-biology at Kent State Salem; and Dean David Dees.