Biological Sciences Professor Receives University's Top Teaching Honor

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Timothy A. Kral

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Timothy A. Kral, professor of biological sciences in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, was named winner of the Charles and Nadine Baum Faculty Teaching Award for 2009. This is the university’s most prestigious teaching award.

“When I was first notified that I was going to receive the Baum Teaching Award, I was stunned and thrilled,” Kral said. “I am grateful to my current and former students as well as my colleagues who made and supported the nomination. I would also like to thank the selection committee. This is indeed an honor.” 

Kral was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from John Carroll University and his doctorate in microbiology from the University of Florida. He did postdoctoral research in microbiology at the Temple University School of Medicine.

He joined the University of Arkansas faculty as an assistant professor in microbiology in 1981. He held the Liebolt Chair of Premedical Sciences from 1995 to 2002 and was named professor of biological sciences in 2008.

Kral teaches a range of courses on the undergraduate and graduate levels, from general biology to astrobiology.

“The course that Tim is most well known for is General Microbiology, which he has been teaching since joining the faculty in 1981,” noted Frederick Spiegel, chair of the biological sciences department in nominating Kral for the Baum Award. “Given the advances made in the discipline of microbiology in the last 27 plus years, this is an ever changing course, and Tim has smoothly incorporated the changes and adjusted them to the introductory level student.”

Kral is also active with students outside the classroom. He serves as a mentor in what is now the Fulbright Perspectives program with freshmen, has advised scores of undergraduate and graduate students, and is noted for his willingness to include students as active participants in his research projects. Along the way he has earned virtually every teaching award and advising award Fulbright College and the university have to offer.

“Tim connects with students on a level that many of us only hope to achieve,” said Jeanne McLachlin, associate director of the premedical program in biological sciences. “He challenges students to think about the material in the course and to think globally about current issues in science and microbiology. Students come away from his classroom with a better appreciation for the relevance of what they are learning to their everyday life.”

Kral will be presented with the Charles and Nadine Baum Faculty Teaching Award during the All-University Commencement May 9.