By Jeff Murphy,
March 16, 2018
WARRENSBURG, MO – Beginning his work at the University of Central Missouri in fall
2016, Matthew J. Garver’s tenure may be brief, but the positive impact he is having
on students has contributed to his selection as recipient of the Missouri Governor’s
Award for Excellence in Education.
Garver, who serves as an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Kinesiology
and program coordinator for Exercise Science, was honored publicly by the university’s
Board of Governors when it met on campus March 16. He will be honored with other outstanding
educators from across the state during an April 5 luncheon at Scruggs University Center
at Lincoln University in Jefferson City.
The annual awards program is made possible by the Missouri Council on Public Higher
Education (COPHE). Thirteen public universities select Governor’s Award for Excellence
in Education recipients on the basis of criteria that include effective teaching at
the undergraduate level, effective advising of undergraduate students, service to
the college community, and commitment to high standards of excellence. Other qualities
include success in nurturing student achievement and the impact nominees have had
on the academic and personal lives of their students.
The UCM award selection committee ranked individuals nominated for the award, based
on the breadth of scholarship, teaching and service. They also considered the nominee’s
narrative, student feedback and letters of support.
In announcing its selection, the committee noted that Garver’s “work in all areas
of teaching service and scholarship are far beyond what is required of an assistant
professor.” It pointed out he has made lasting impressions on his students, and goes
above and beyond to prepare and mentor his students for success both inside and outside
the classroom.
In his personal narrative, Garver notes that nurturing student achievement ties into
his overarching goals to make a difference. It directly connects to his teaching and
scholarly endeavors.
“When my students meet success, I count the victory as well. When my time is done,
I hope to have extensions into the lives of many others. I hope they are better for
having known me,” he noted.
Garver has spent the past eight years in higher education. Prior to coming to UCM,
he served for a year at The Ohio State University, where he was a senior lecturer
and also earned his Ph.D. in exercise physiology. He also worked for five years as
an assistant professor at Abilene Christian University. He earned teaching awards
at both schools.
At UCM, his teaching assignments are in Exercise Science and Exercise Metabolism and
Physiology. In addition to teaching, he has served as a faculty research mentor for
the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, working with students who are underrepresented
in higher education by helping them to prepare to become graduate students. A student
he mentored went on to become the 2017 student recipient of the Learning to a Greater
Degree Award.
In a letter of support for Garver, Margaret Shull, director of the McNair Scholars
Program, stated that he is someone who views every student as unique, and tries to
develop both their strengths and weaknesses.
“He genuinely cares about the success of his students while holding them to high standards,”
she said.
Garver looks for opportunities to bring innovation into his classroom. For example,
he has sought assistance from the Center for Teaching and Learning to provide a more
effective delivery of his online graduate course on exercise metabolism. He invested
in online lectures through the purchase of Adobe Connect and has aspirations to utilize
the CTL technology Lightboard Studio to enhance the course.
He has conducted his own scholarly research and is recognized on 14 manuscripts and
more than 45 published abstracts during the last decade, in addition to serving as
a conference presenter. Garver intentionally brings students into his work, and his
collaboration with students has included topic areas such as sports medicine. He serves
as a reviewer for journals in rheumatology and sports sciences and is active in the
Regional American College of Sports Medicine chapter.
Garver commented on the award noting, “As much as any factor, this selection likely
reflects that I have had supporters grounding me and mentors guiding me. I am grateful
for that fact. Certainly, I am humbled and honored by this recognition. My passion
is to make a difference in the lives of students’ positions well within the fit and
feel of the UCM community. I am proud to be a Mule.”
He added, “The close connection with students, an intentional and purposed goal for
UCM, provides great alignment with my desires as a teacher and mentor. I feel comfort
in the classroom and I constantly learn from my class cohorts. I would be remiss if
I did not thank my departmental faculty and directly my program colleagues who make
my day enjoyable. To my past students, I am grateful for the time that we have invested
together and the bonds that we have formed. To my future students, I am excited to
meet you and I hope we enjoy the journey together.”
