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Mississippi Science Teachers Association Honors Professor John Hunt


Dr. John Hunt, director of education for MC’s STEM Institute

John Hunt impressed parents, students and teachers with his boundless fascination with science during a visit to the National Mall. His zeal for the subject goes to the moon and back.

It was seven years ago when the Mississippi College education professor was invited to the Washington landmark by the Association of Presidential Awardees for Science Teaching. The Mississippian assigned homework to parents on topics ranging from paper to plastics. He enjoyed making “weird sounds” with aluminum rods during his October 2010 stop in the District of Columbia.

Hunt’s message? Science teaching is fun!

More honors keep coming for Dr. Hunt, director of education for MC’s STEM Institute. On October 31, Mississippi Science Teachers Association leaders will recognize him with a major award. Hunt will receive the 2017 Distinguished Science Teacher Award at the group’s annual convention in Biloxi.

Mississippi College colleagues say the honor for Hunt is well-deserved.

“Dr. John Hunt is better known as Mr. Science around MC,” says Ron Howard, vice president for academic affairs. “He knows how to connect with students, young and old. He ignites the excitement that the study and practice of science can bring to their lives.”

For many years, Hunt demonstrated his passion for teaching science in classrooms before thousands of students in elementary and middle schools across Mississippi.

The Pearl resident makes complex subjects like physics seem simple to parents. When millions of Americans recently focused on seeing the Solar Eclipse, Hunt joined scores of observers with special viewing glasses on the Clinton campus.

The latest award going to Hunt is certainly a wonderful tribute, Howard says. “I can think of no more deserving than this remarkable Christian scholar and gentleman.”

Hunt is being saluted by leaders of a statewide association with a goal to promote science teaching at all levels in Mississippi.

School of Education Dean Cindy Melton recommended Hunt for the prestigious award. “John epitomizes the model teacher and education leader we strive to build here at MC,” Melton said in her letter to the association’s selection committee.

“To say he is novel, energetic and excited about science is quite the understatement. It is evident to all who know John that science is close to his heart.”

A native of Canada, Hunt earned his bachelor’s degree at Lamar University in Texas, a master’s at Austin State and his doctorate in education at Baylor University.

MC’s STEM Institute stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. It’s an innovative program that Hunt and director Debra Raddin showcase year-round. Raddin and other MC educators appreciate Hunt’s teaching gifts to ensure future generations of students will remain science lovers.

During his career, Hunt engaged his students in national environmental programs like Project Learning Tree, Project WET and WILD and Food, Land and People.

In January 2015, the Mississippi College professor served as the keynote speaker and workshop presenter in Warsaw, Poland. He spoke at a conference of the European League of Middle Level Educators. The Mississippian’s keen interest in science stretches from North America to Europe and truly spans the universe.