Bob Valentine, senior lecturer in Journalism and Mass Communications, was named the Max Carman Outstanding Teacher for 2016 at Murray State University’s Senior Breakfast May 5.
The award recognizes those professors who excel in the classroom and exhibit overall teaching excellence. Professors are nominated by the student body and selected by a student committee chaired by the vice president of the student government association.
Valentine was recognized for his outstanding work in the classroom when he was selected as the Regents Teaching Award for the Bauernfeind College of Business in 2009. He has been selected as Murray State’s “Best Faculty Member” in the Best of Murray student poll conducted by The Murray State News for the past four years.
A member of the MSU faculty since 1974, Valentine teaches in advertising and the beginning course for all majors in the department.
He has taught in theatre and served as guest director for both the MSU Theatre and Murray’s Community Theatre (Playhouse in the Park).
He began his teaching career at the University of Kentucky, where he earned his undergraduate degree in history and his master’s degree in communications. He then served as lecturer in communications before coming to Murray State to teach speech courses and serve as the director of forensics.
His debate team won the national title in 1982 and captured many event trophies during his years as the debate coach.
He left teaching for several years to start several companies, including Theatre Arts Enterprises, Medical Claims Services and Prologue, LLC (the book publishing division).
Valentine returned to full-time teaching in 1999 with a split load between JMC and Theatre. In 2001 he became co-head of Elizabeth Residential College with Bob McGaughey and served as the head from 2003-07.
As college head, he set up and taught many sessions in the residence hall and he and McGaughey taught the first for-credit course in the residential college.
He has taught for many years in the annual JMC High School Journalism and Broadcasting Workshop. He and McGaughey have done workshops in advertising, public relations and communications since 1978.
The two have also entertained thousands in the mid-South with their two-man stand-up comedy act, “Dr. Trey and Dr. Vee.”
He was recognized for his contributions to the arts when he won the Betty Lowry Award for leadership in the support of the arts in 1992 by the Murray-Calloway Chamber of Commerce.
The editor/publisher of Murray Life Magazine, he is the author of two books, The Medical Money Mess and Seasons (2009).
He is known for his portrayal of Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, Nathan B. Stubblefield and Rainey T. Wells.
He also performs at Scottish games throughout the U. S. and has a CD of Scottish stories, “I’ll Take the Low Road.”
Valentine says his motivation for teaching is seeing his students succeed both in the classroom and later in life and knowing he may have influenced their accomplishments.
