GUERIN, DAVIS RECEIVE UTAA OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARDS

GUERIN, DAVIS RECEIVE UTAA OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARDS

MARTIN, Tenn. – Two University of Tennessee at Martin faculty members have been

honored for teaching excellence. Dr. Joshua Guerin, professor of computer science, and Dr.

Dexter Davis, associate professor of sport management, have received Outstanding Teacher

Awards from the University of Tennessee Alumni Association. Recipients of the Outstanding

Teacher Award are nominated by students, faculty and alumni based on classroom performance,

scholarship and service. The award has been presented since 1966 to faculty members from all

UT campuses and includes a one-time stipend of $2,000.

Guerin began teaching at the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2012 and served from

2018 to 2021 as the chair of the computer science department. Guerin earned a bachelor’s degree

in computer science from Transylvania University, located in Lexington, Kentucky. He also

holds a graduate certification in cognitive science, a master’s degree, and a doctorate in computer

science from the University of Kentucky. In addition to his classroom teaching, he currently

serves as the faculty adviser for GamerHawks, the university’s gaming and esports club. Guerin

received the UT Martin College of Engineering and Natural Sciences Ray and Wilma Smith

Professorship in 2016, which recognizes teaching excellence and outstanding scholarly activity.

“As a career educator, my work with my students is one of my greatest joys—whether it

is in the classroom, participating in club events, or just getting to talk and learn from each other

outside of class,” Guerin said. “It is an incredible thing to see them grow, mature and achieve

both at the university and attain in their careers and personal lives after graduation.”

Davis has taught at UT Martin since 2013. He received a bachelor’s degree in physical

education from New York’s Houghton College, a master’s degree in physical education and

athletic administration from Canisius College, and a Doctor of Education in Sport Management

from the United States Sports Academy.

Since coming to UT Martin, Davis has organized regional and national trips that allow

students to gain firsthand experience working at sporting events such as the Jackson-Madison

County African American Chamber of Commerce Celebrity Golf Classic, the NFL Super Bowl

and Pro Bowl, and NASCAR events at Nashville Superspeedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.

“This is more than a job for me; it has become a calling and I just strive every day to have

an impact of the lives of the students I come into contact with,” Davis said. “I am truly humbled

by this award and have been blessed to have great mentors along the way that have helped mold

me into the educator that I am today. Saying ‘thank you’ to all those that have helped me along

this path doesn’t do justice to the gratitude I feel for that group of people.”

For more information about the awards, contact the Office of University Relations at 731-

881-7615.

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Drs. Dexter Davis