Dr. Mark Grigsby (on left), and NEO President Dr. Jeff Hale
Miami, Okla. – Dr. Mark Grigsby, department chair of math and science at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, received the 2013 Excellence in Education Award from the Miami Area Chamber of Commerce. To receive this honor, the educator must have demonstrated exceptional and innovative capabilities in their educational fields. The eligible educators ranged from public, private, charter, and parochial schools.
“Dr. Grigsby is passionate about education and creating learning opportunities for NEO students,” said Bethene Fahnestock, vice president of academic affairs. “He has worked diligently with area partners to meet the needs of our community through education. I am excited that Dr. Grigsby was recognized for these outstanding efforts.”
Grigsby has been an NEO instructor for 26 years, and for 17 of those years he has served as the department chair of math and science. He is an advisor for students majoring in health science, and oversees Construction Management and Process Technology or PTEC programs at NEO.
Grigsby has been responsible for developing the new PTEC program at NEO, which prepares students for careers in manufacturing. He wrote a large portion of the Department of Education grant application that was funded through the Shawnee Tribe for the PTEC program. He will serve as the principle investigator who oversees the grant. Grigsby is also involved with the improvement of water quality in Tar Creek by working with the Peoria Indian Tribe on a grant to create a wetland on the NEO campus.
Grigsby has not only served the community, but has helped individual students. He has helped students with paid internships for summer research with the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center for the past two summers.
Grigsby said, “I believe learning should be fun, and that all students should be treated fairly and with respect.”
One nominator said, “He has excelled not only as a teacher, but as a community member wanting to improve the natural resources in Ottawa County and helping students achieve their goals.”