May 29, 2019

Ron Sharp, a longtime chemistry professor at Delta College, has been named the Michigan Community College Association 2019 Outstanding Faculty Award winner by the organization’s executive committee.

The Outstanding Faculty Award is presented each year to a Michigan community college faculty member based on his or her career achievements, service to humanity, honors received and strong commitment to the community college mission.

Sharp, who has been teaching at Delta since 1971, has developed chemistry courses, authored laboratory manuals used in the classroom and represented Delta at other organizations and local employers.

"Ron has influenced the lives of generations of students and is now even teaching the children of many of his former students," said Delta College President Dr. Jean Goodnow. "He has also mentored many new faculty members, and all of them have benefitted from the experience. Many people have said he is one of the best professors they ever had."

Sharp, who is retiring this summer, said he has enjoyed teaching at Delta and sharing his love of chemistry, and was surprised to learn he had been selected for the award.

"I really enjoyed reading the letter of support from Dr. Goodnow, and thinking about all the incredible people that made this journey possible," he said. "My wife and children for allowing me to wander the world, the Delta faculty, support staff and administration for their support, especially covering for me while I was away from campus. And the community for their financial and support in-kind for so many projects. It has been 47-plus years of 'it's a great day for chemistry'."

He will receive the award at the MCCA Board of Director’s Summer Workshop on July 25 in Traverse City.

The Michigan Community College Association is a statewide network of public community colleges whose mission is to provide leadership on issues affecting member colleges.