Poultry Science
Dr. Mark Compton
On March 31, 2009, Dr. Mark Compton received the Josiah Meigs Teaching Professorship, which recognizes excellence in instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Meigs Professors receive a permanent salary increase of $6,000 and a fund of $1,000 for academic support. The professorship is named for Josiah Meigs, who in 1801 succeeded Abraham Baldwin as president -- and sole professor -- of Georgia's fledgling state university.
Mark Compton was born to teach. It’s his calling and he answers it every time he sets foot in his classroom.
"Students describe Dr. Compton as ‘electric,’” said Mike Lacy, department head for poultry science in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, in his letter of nomination. “His enthusiasm in the classroom is legendary.”
Compton, who teaches avian anatomy and physiology, is perhaps so orthodox that he is unorthodox.
When most professors are turning to technology to enhance their classroom lectures, Compton reverts to the old-fashioned chalkboard. And, his student’s love it.
"He wasn’t into all the new PowerPoint presentation-type stuff,” said one student letter of support, speaking of Compton’s chalkboard drawings. “It was more personal” she said, “drawing your attention in and allowing for participation. Being more of a visual learner myself, I was fascinated with his drawings describing pathways and mechanisms of physiology. My attention never left that blackboard until the end of class where not a smidgen of it had been left undiscovered.”
Others attest to Compton’s effective use of hands-on exercises to reinforce what he teaches in lectures. He uses a mix of cutting-edge CD study aids, a fun quiz show contest and comprehensive labs to provide the highest quality educational experience for his students.
"I have never enjoyed a lab more than this one,” reported one student. “Hands-on surgery, assays and disease experiments clarified a lot of the information given in class. I can honestly say that I have retained and remember more from Dr. Compton’s classes than any other class I have taken.”
His commitment doesn’t stop at the classroom door.
Students often comment on his dedication to their futures. A current graduate student wrote: “I still remember his voice yelling from down the hall, ‘Jennifer!’ I was on my way to class when I turned around and saw Dr. Compton hurrying down the hallway… I was glad to see him.”
She continued to unfold the story of how Compton told her about a scholarship she should apply for. “That’s Dr. Compton in a nutshell – always looking out for his students’ best interest, always pushing them to be their best.”
Compton’s teaching philosophy is as simple as his approach: “Come to class, take good notes and ask questions, review your notes periodically, and you will do fine in this course.”
He understands that getting students to do all of these isn’t easy. However, his enthusiasm and dedication to his students make them want to come to class every session.
His evaluations consistently include comments such as: “Superb teaching methods,” and “Wonderful professor. He is the kind of professor few are lucky to have.”
Compton has won an array of awards including the Henry L. Marks Award for Outstanding Teaching twice, the D.W. Brooks Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Poultry Science Association Land O’Lakes Outstanding Teaching Award. But perhaps the greatest testament to his ability to teach is the number of education students who take his class not to learn about poultry, but to learn how to teach.
Whether they are budding poultry scientists or teachers-to-be students know when they come to Mark Compton’s class, they come to learn from the master. And, it’s fun.
-- Article writtten by Faith Peppers and featured in the UGA Columns on March 30, 2009.
-- Photo above provided by Rick O'Quinn of UGA Broadcast, Video & Photographic Services