Dr. Kirt Martin, Professor Emeritus of Biology at Lubbock Christian University (LCU), was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Texas Association of Advisors for the Health Professions.
Dr. Martin, who retired from teaching at LCU in May of 2022, was nominated by his former colleagues in LCU’s Department of Natural Sciences, and he received the prestigious award on February 3 at the 2023 Annual TAAHP Conference in McAllen, TX.
“Dr. Martin is beloved as a teacher and student mentor, having written hundreds of recommendation letters for students pursuing a variety of professional programs in the health professions,” shared Dr. Toby Rogers, Dean of the B. Ward Lane College of Professional Studies. “He has received multiple teaching awards in his tenure at LCU including the F.W. Mattox Distinguished Teacher Award in 1983 and the L.R. Wilson, Sr. Award for Teaching Excellence in 2002. Likewise, he has served as advisor and sponsor to the Health Professions Student Organization at LCU from 1995-2022. His devotion to excellence in teaching and mentoring students interested in pursuing health professions is one that we celebrate at LCU, having recently awarded Dr. Martin the rank of Professor Emeritus.”
Dr. Martin was a multi-talented professor who began his teaching career in the Ag Department in 1978, and for the remainder of his career at LCU of nearly three decades, he was integral to the Department of Natural Sciences. His wide and varied teaching skills spanned disciplines from soil science to genetics and his courses were part of every curriculum in the department.
“Kirt was highly energetic, quick to lead or assist, and prepared students for lives of faith and service,” shared Jessica Rogers, Assistant Professor of Chemistry.
Early in his career, he coached students on the Crops Judging teams, who were incredibly successful in the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture intercollegiate contests, and he sponsored the LCU Aggies Club. During his tenure at LCU, Dr. Martin was a department chair, assistant dean, and leader of the Joint Admission Medical Program for pre-professional students.
“The ‘TAAHP Lifetime Achievement’ award was created to recognize a TAAHP member who has exhibited excellence in health professions advising over the past year,” shared TAAHP. “As pre-health advisors, our mission is to serve students who wish to become the next leaders in healthcare, and we play a critical role in their difficult journey to professional schools.”
“This award is really not an award for me, but an award for everyone here in the sciences,” shared Dr. Martin in what his colleagues agreed was his usual humble attitude. “It takes all of us working diligently with our students to prepare them for the professions. We are all constantly monitoring each student’s progress and advising them in ways that strengthen their applications, and it is not just one advisor looking at their advisees, but everyone is looking at everyone’s advisees—all of us working together with a common goal. And the people I work with show the greatest amount of thoughtfulness and kindness, as this nomination dictates. I do love teaching and the challenges presented, but even more, the technology and research of science has magnified the complexity of God’s creation, and it is just fun to be able to share that with students. I have been greatly blessed to be able to teach at LCU.”
Dr. Andy Laughlin, Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences, shared, “Just yesterday, three students commented without being prompted that they consider themselves lucky to have had Dr. Martin for biology and they feel sorry for those in the future who will not have him. He was the perfect introduction to LCU and guide to their pre-health training. What else can be said for a faculty member and advisor that is more meaningful than that? To have students love you for what you do and who you are—there is no other comparable earthly reward.”
Learn more about the opportunities in LCU’s Department of Natural Sciences.